Onward and Eastward

April 20-25

The blog posts are piling up in the computer. The last few days we have been without phone or internet access. So forgive me for posting one after another. We really have to figure out how to make Verizon work for us without a contract. We are currently on Consumer Cellular which has worked well for us until becoming nomads.  Verizon is the only service that works most places. However, Verizon probably wouldn't have worked in the Bisti and this little community of Prewitt that is tucked down in the hills off of I-40 about 100 miles west of Albuquerque. 

the most perfect night camping yet!

Bluewater Lake State Park is another gem of a campground at the end of the road through Prewitt. We had a nearly perfect evening camped on top of a canyon on one side and sparkling, blue lake with wild horses on the other side. As I understand it the horses are more feral than wild. The community and the state park just let them be. They have free reign.

It's a sight to see. Our other resident campers were Great American White Pelicans and four osprey.  Although, there are electric hook-ups in this park, the most beautiful campsites  were dry sites on the cliff overlooking the lake. Our solar panel is doing a great job recharging the batteries and we filled up with fresh water. I was ready to stay here for a week. Unfortunately the following day, we were blasted with gusty winds that made for an afternoon of working on jewelry inside the trailer. Late in the day, we drove out towards the highway and found ourselves a cell tower to sit under so we could check the weather and make alternative plans. The forecast was for another blustery day and temps only in the 50s. Our decision was to pack up and head to Albuquerque. We're moving towards warmer temps.

On the way back to camp, three cows were having dinner in front of the ranger station….everywhere reminders we are not in Minnesota.

the perfect campsite at Bluewater Lakes State Park

There are no state parks near Albuquerque or BLM sites anywhere. So we had to suck it up and do an RV park. A really nice RV park recommended by our new road friend Susan. We had full hook-ups, internet, laundry and continental breakfast and a discount (with our good sam membership), but still as most RV parks are located on the interstate, I question how well I slept.

Our agenda in Albuquerque was to hook-up with my friend Manan, restock supplies and take a tour at our silver and gold supplier before moving back out into the wilds.

Setting up camp is getting to be old hat and there was plenty of time to head into Old Albuquerque. This historic old part of town has been the heart of Albuquerque since the city was founded on 1706. Today, this neighborhood is the city's cultural center. A group of Spanish families in 1706 settled here , not far from the Rio Grande. The settlers organized the town in traditional Spanish style, with a central plaza anchored by a church.  When the original church collapsed after a long rainy summer of 1792, they rebuilt it and in 1793 San Felipe de Neri was completed. Today, this adobe church with walls 5 feet thick is the oldest in Albuquerque.

out for frybread tacos and sopapillas

Lori Zimney, show Ariana... Uncle Gerard had to take this for her

love the colors of the southwest

The following day allowed for chores–laundry and grocery before setting out to meet my friend Manan and his gal Barbara. He treated us to a fabulous dinner at Nick and Jimmy's. The conversation was so engaging, there was not one shutter click of the camera. How did I let that happen?

In our excursions, we discovered the Gathering of Nations was starting this very weekend. It is the largest powwow in the North America. Unfortunately for us, it was to be held inside and we have Sitka. Hard to believe we were so close to that kind of experience. So happy that Barbara and Manan were able to attend.

Our morning of departure took us to Rio Grande Jewelry Supply. Not knowing what to expect exactly, we were blown away by the experience. We are more proud than ever to know where our raw product comes from. Rio Grande manufactures and distributes tools, equipment, gems, findings, displays and packaging for jewelers.

The company continues to be run by the family of the original visionary Saul Bell. Saul was able to buy the old White Eagle Trading Post on Historic Route 66 in 1944. It was war time and silver was scarce, but Saul managed to keep his doors open to allow silversmiths to continue their work.

He extended credit to craftsmen who wouldn't otherwise been able to continue working during such hard times. Today, Saul's three children along with a leadership team and 300 associates use participative management as strive to work in as flat a hierarchy as possible. (Deming principles) I strived throughout my career to work with organizations who were willing to operate under such cooperation. I was so fascinated to see a company be successfully operating this way!

Probably all more than you wanted to read about, but I was so impressed by this company. Even more so when we found out that almost everything requiring electricity– from jewelry making and manufacturing equipment to lights and computer is powered by the sun. They installed five acres of solar panels atop their parking lot! The largest commercial solar array in New Mexico.

solar panels over parking lot
cool shaded car and energized workplace


Next: A Bump in the Road