We were pretty well relaxed by the end of Thursday night, lemme tell ya. All day in and out of a hot soak pool, firepit, cucumber/lemon water for sipping, sage aromatherapy shower soap, stars popping out, bats flying by, soothing music, good conversation with a loving partner, Heaven, I say, Heaven. We were definitely well rested when 6:30 Friday morning rolled around. It was our goal to get packed up and on the road by 8:30 am, so it was imperative that we get a good sleep.
Why so early, you're asking? Well, to answer that, I have to go back a couple of days, and explain that the lady square dance caller we met, Lisa, and her husband, Tom, actually also own and run a campground on the outskirts of Santa Fe, Rancheros de Santa Fe. We took a drive one day, to go out and see the grounds and see if it would be some place we might want to Workamp in the future, or maybe just return to stay in for a while. The campground was located just north of Santa Fe, and right off Old Route 66. It backed up to a mountain and a canyon, and Clint Eastwood's "Every Which Way But Loose" had some parts that were filmed out by site 20. It's also right by the Santa Fe Trail, so there's plenty of history and things to see and do in the area. The grounds are rustic, with lots of pinon and juniper trees still on site. The roads are mostly gravel, and they pride themselves on their natural setting, as well as spectacular sunsets. The pool was clean, and there was a pretty well stocked store. Traffic noise was minimal and we were told there was free and fast WiFi. They have 3 Workamper couples and the manager that all plan to return, so they must be pretty good to work for. There was only one little problem.....we are still 44 feet long, plus the toad! And we STILL don't bend in the middle! We couldn't find a site that would hold us, and the interior roads were a bit too narrow with too many sharp turns for us to easily negotiate. I guess if we want to work next summer, we're going to have to look for another park to accommodate us. What's that got to do with why we needed to get going so early?? Get to the point already!!
So, we had reservations to stay in Tijeras, NM, about 20 miles east of Albuquerque, for 4 days, at a campground called Hidden Valley Mountain Park, right off I-40. We knew it was surrounded by mountains, had no TV reception and no cell phone service. We also know there wasn't a whole lot to the town of Tijeras, so, Thursday, while we were relaxing in the pool, we began to have reservations....of a different kind. We were concerned that we would be jumping from the frying pan to the fire, and the sites might be similar to Tom & Lisa's. Nice, but smaller and more rustic than we bargained for. Kirtland Air Force Base is right in Albuquerque, the price was comparable, and they offered free WiFi, over the air TV and good cell phone coverage. Plus, it has the advantage of being on base, and close to all the sights we wanted to see in Albuquerque. AND, it's big-rig friendly. There's only one catch - they don't take reservations! Soooo, if there's a site available when you drive up, you're in. If not, there's a field in which you can dry camp until you're ready to move on or a site becomes available. When we arrived at 11 am, there were several sites available and we were in like Flynn. On the way down, we were treated to some flat land and good roads,with little traffic, yay!!
Once we got set up, the real work started. First thing, we cancelled our other reservation so we weren't double booked. After we split a PBJ, we got our stuff together and puppy got a much-needed bath. Oh my gosh, you should have seen the dirt roll off of her! When we were done, she had white feet again and was soft, soft, soft. And frisky! I know she felt better; she sure smelled better!! Then we started in on the coach. It had been a couple of months since it was last washed, and it was every bit as dirty as the dog! Just bigger. MUUUUCH bigger! When we got done with it, the tow dolly looked shabby, so it got washed too. Well, now the CAR looked shabby, so we started on it! Got half of one side done, and our neighbor came home. We assume, from work. We also assumed he was taking a shower, as we lost all our water pressure. Whaaa??? I got the bright idea of testing the vacant site's water, and it was almost a trickle, too, and just about then, the hosts came flying by on a golf cart and let us know they had turned off the water for a short time. Well, now wasn't THAT a fine kettle of fish. By now, it was quarter to 5, and we were getting pretty darned tired, as well as sore. We thought some limeade would be good, especially if we put some tequila in it, but....we don't have a pitcher on board. Ahhh, but you know what? The Base Exchange probably had one for sale....so we hopped in our half-clean car and boogied on down to the BX and bought one! By the time we got back to the camper, the water had been turned back on and we could finish washing the car. Then, Driver hopped up on the stepladder and started the prep for repairing the windshield chip we picked up in transit from Colorado to New Mexico. What a day! Nothing like the day before!! Too bad we don't have a hot spring down here, 'cuz we both could sure use a good soak!
When were were in Madrid, on Wednesday, you know we tried to get into the Mining Museum, but it was closed. We vowed then to try to come back on Saturday, when they were open and see what we could learn about the town history. So, puppy all suited up, and off we went! Back towards Santa Fe, but this time, on the scenic route.
Check out the cattle crossing sign!
As we got closer to town, we got higher, too. NO, not on weed. Altitude!
So, I gave you a little history of the town yesterday, right? Remember the mine? Here's a shot of the 6 story mine entrance.
I *think* this was Mr. Huber's car....no longer running, obviously.
This is a battery bank - one of Thomas Edison's inventions. This is what recharged the miners' headlamps. Pretty important, as some of the mine's tunnels went 5 miles into the mountain.
Outside, was Engine 769, a Santa Fe Consolidated 2-8-0 short haul freighter, built in 1900 by the Richmond Locomotive Works, of Richmond, VA. It is one of only a thousand Richmonds built. It hauled coal 3 miles north to Waldo, and returned with potable water for the town's citizens. It was purchased by the Coal Company in 1940 and faithfully served until 1960, when it was officially retired. It is currently one of the most complete non-operable locomotives in the country.
The engine house was originally used only for shelter while making repairs, but now it is used as a little theatre.
On the return trip home, we got to watch a storm crawl over the mountain. While we were chatting with Claire, up at the museum, she mentioned that we would probably enjoy Tinkertown. Neither of us knew what was so special about the place, but, heck, we had nothing but time on our hands, so off we went. There was no cell phone reception up in Madrid, so that meant no GPS either, but we knew the location of the town was south. Good enough!
We got almost all the way back to Albuquerque before I noticed we had a cell signal again. I real quick Googled Tinkertown, and surprise! We needed to make a right turn in only .5 miles! That was close! We made the turn, and traveled only a mile before we saw the sign for Tinkertown on the left. Apparently, Tinkertown is not a whole, real town. That was not our only surprise! We stepped out of the car, and boy, was it COLD! And there were funny white patches on the ground. Dick thought maybe it was caliche, or maybe lichen. I didn't think so, as the patches appeared to be made up of little round white pebbles. Neither caliche nor lichen is structured like that.
I picked up a little, and not only was it COLD, it was WET! It was HAIL!! We hadn't seen hail, or anything like it in YEARS! Sure makes me glad I carry a warm shawl in the car! When we set out in the morning, it was WARM!
So, here we are arriving at Tinkertown. Its walls are made of cement and bottles. Thousands and thousands of bottles (over 50 thousand!)! Telephone insulators line the rooftop edges. Did you check out that link I gave you above? Go ahead & pop over there, you won't be sorry! Here, I'll make it real easy for you...click HERE.
All the doors were different, but they all looked suitable for Hobbits and elves.
When we paid our admission, which was only $3 each, for geezers (!), they returned our change in quarters. We wondered why, but as we wandered through the museum, we found several old machines that would accept a quarter and perform for us. The animations were all hand carved by Ross, as a hobby, over the course of 40 years, up till the time his dementia got too bad. Check out a couple of the displays below. Just, make sure your sound is turned on.
This is Grandmother Fortune Teller, made in New York in 1940. Many years later, she was auctioned off and became an attraction with Cliff Wilson's Traveling Arcades, in Tulsa, OK. She was brought to Tinkertown in 1981 by the Ward family, restored and renamed Esmerelda. She took my quarter and presented me a fortune card that was surprisingly accurate! It read, "A trip around the world is in store for you. With it a great deal of happiness too. You will have unlimited money (OK, that part, maybe not so accurate) And life for you will be very sunny." Three out of four is good enough for me!
In a barn outside, was his brother-in-law's sailboat that he took around the world. Took him and his wife 10 years, but they did it. They started on the east coast of Florida, went across the Atlantic to Europe, then down to Australia, then to Africa, South America, and back up to Florida. Along the walls were showcases containing lots of souvenirs and artifacts he collected during his travels.
Back inside, we found this beautiful stained glass. There were several scattered throughout the home, but this was the largest, and I think, the prettiest.
There was also a hand-carved one man band calliope. He took TWO quarters, 'cuz that new phone, ya know...it didn't record the first time I played it. As I write this, my video is still in the process of uploading, and it tells me I have another 2 hours to go. Maybe more, maybe less. Soooo, if you want to check it out (and it's worth the wait!), go hit up my YouTube Channel (kcallander989) later, and view the One Man Band Calliope clip that will be there. Eventually.
Here's a peep into his studio.
This is a Medicine Show Wagon he built on a Studebaker wagon frame in 1954. (that makes it older than me!!) It was built for the same company that had Esmerelda, Cliff's Amusement Park, in Albequerque. It was originally used as a puppet theater. It seemed such a shame that it was out in the weather, losing its shine year by year.
And flanking the gate to the private residence, were two coal buckets. This one was from the Victor, CO mine, and the notation says it weighs 500 pounds empty! As we learned from the Museum of Mining & Industry, in Colorado Springs, the miners (4 of 'em!) were lowered down into the mine by standing on the rim of the buckets, and the coal was hauled back up and out, IN the bucket. Sadly, Ross passed away at age 62, in November 2002.
Not sure what's gonna happen next, but buckle up, the ride promises to be exciting!
Looks like a fun visit.
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