larned + tucumcari + cuervo + nara visa

Sunday, I made my second trip of the summer to Downtown Dental Group in Manhattan, Kansas. I saw mountain lion roadkill on the way up there (right outside of Corona, NM)!! That was cool. I love the New Mexico part of the drive... and don't mind the Kansas part.  The Oklahoma stretch can go whatever itself though.

I got to see my cousins Jan and Nathan (she drove 3.5 hours to make that happen), and we ate at a really good restaurant called Bourbon and Baker.  They have "small plates" so you have to order a few to fill up.  We shared Kobe beef sliders, deviled eggs, strawberry bruschetta, and fried asparagus. And Cake! White cake with blackberry filling and whipped cream frosting!

Then there was the dentist appointment. Not all that much fun except I got to see everybody, and Ali sent me away with birthday candy and a Starbucks card.  This whole 26 hours plus round road trip to go to the dentist thing isn't just because I'm a little crazy.  It's because this group of people really are some of the greatest around. Thank you Ali and Dr. Winter and Michaela & Kim.  And yep, I left the dentist with candy. 

I got to spend the evening with Katherine and Becky and Ari and Brynnon. We just ate dinner and went for a walk and hung out in the living room.  I miss having you two right next door. Wanna move to El Paso?

Of course, I took photos on the way up and the way back too.

Other random things:

I had an Allsups' chimichanga for breakfast on the way there- it reminded me of high school track practice.

I really hate the parts of the drive where the radio will only play Christian music or Spanish music.  Obviously, Spanish music is the lesser of these two evils, right?  Don't be offended: I love God and love music, these stations just don't use a recipe that suits me.

I got stopped by a Texas trooper a few miles from home. Just a warning.  That makes my speeding traffic stop count really close to 40 now. I've lost count.

In Larned, I stopped to take a photo of the old State Theatre and Mr. Sherman gave me a tour.  I almost wished he hadn't because the town sold the original seats about ten years ago and everything in the theater was new and lacking character. He was a sweetheart though. 

Thank you husband for taking care of the babies while I was gone.  It's not easy, but you never complained. I'd do the same for you, except I'd totally complain. love, sara