We left Isleta heading for Las Cruces but you can't pass by Hatch. It is a must stop! Lunch at Sparky's. Everything green chile with a live country music band playing. At one in the afternoon. Too fun.
Then a wonderful get together for dinner at La Posta in Old Mesilla with Charlotte, Carl, Sylvia, David, Tresa, Jerry and Nancy.
They gave us our own little room so we could visit, laugh and enjoy to our hearts content. What a blessing to be among friends that are so kind and thoughtful.
The room was filled with beautiful pieces of art.
The walls are a heavenly shade of blue with magnificent silver metallic added.
I have been asked why I usually don't have pictures of people in my blog.
There are two main reasons that the human pictures are few and far between.
The first is simple. I do not take good pictures of people. They are always a moving target. Unlike the landscapes I love to take people do not stand still and are impatient waiting for me to get the right setting and finally get the shot off. Besides when I am with people I want to savor the time rather than trying to take photos. Places and things will wait all day for me if need be giving me the chance to "get it right".
The second reason is more complex and I am not sure I can explain it. It is probably a selfish reason. I am not sure I want to share "my" people out in the blogosphere. They are in my mind and memory and that seems to be where I want to keep them.
I read an article on memory and it indicated that photos are one of the main things that trigger memory. However, if you want to imprint a memory that you should look at the image as if you were setting it up for a photograph and it will train your brain to remember. That allows you to minimize distractions so the memory is clearer. I think that is what I try to do with people now. Then those memories are always there and I don't have to have a photograph to remember.
"When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate I shall be content with silence". Ansel Adams
"The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now."..AL.
The La Posta is a place that evokes many memories from the 1960's and on. Each time we are in the area it is a place I have to go. While Walt & I have always enjoyed their food we understand that it is not always up to par now. But it is not just for the food that I go there. It is for the memories and the atmosphere. How many restaurants can you go to that has parrots in cages in the lobby, wonderful arts and crafts every where you look, nooks and crannies, rooms that go on and on & if you make a wrong turn and end up in the kitchen they will guide you through to where you need to be? I can still remember the dress that I wore on the date that was my first visit to La Posta. I have no idea what I ate but the parrots and amazing walls are forever imprinted.
So thank you friends for offering your hospitaility to let me spend time in one of "my happy places."
And thank you to Carl and Charlotte for taking us back to Old Mesilla so I could get a few more photos. Nice stop on the way for a most delicious lunch at Andele.
Every old New Mexico town has a plaza. This gazebo is very different than most.
Each plaza almost always has a church. This is the Basilica of San Albino. The mission was established in 1851. This building was completed in 1906 and was constructed on the foundation of the original adobe church.
The bells of San Albino date back to the early 1870's.
Love to see territorial architecture. When the railroad came in the southwest could bring in heavy sawmill equipment and add milled wood to the adobe structures.
Josephina's Old Gate. It is an Inn and small cafe. We have not been there so it is on our list for "next time".
Sign Courtesy of Tinkertown Museum. We had several days filled with Happiness.