Wind And Waves

Santa Fe, New Mexico….feeling like a queen!

Pulling out of Santa Fe I felt euphoric I had found a place near the plaza to stash my motorcyle.  Always easy to find a parking spot for the moto.  I did a quick change (hoping no one saw me but if they did, oh well) from my heavy dark moto gear into a sporty red skirt I had found at a boutique, the artist sold it to me for super cheap, my favorite plain black tank top and my trusty flip flops I keep in my tank bag.  After a hot sweaty long ride I felt light as a flower.  I left everything on my bike. With a quick prayer to the universe, “Please no one steal my stuff, universe.” I trotted off, half skipping because I felt so light and free and excited to see what was ahead. People everywhere as I got close. I love the orange adobe structures with the dark wood beams. Peoples outfits would have kept me entertained for hours. Colors so many colors and boots, of all sizes. Quality leather, quality stitching, skirts, scarfs….and then in the stores handmade, wallets, wooden coat hangars, necklace holders.  Beautiful! People have taken such care and made such beautiful things.

Hungry, food to choose, fresh baked artisan bread, salads with things I didn’t even know existed, so delicious so colorful so satisfying. So creative. Such abundance.

I walked into a leather store and fell in love with a beautiful leather cowboy hat . I loved the stitching, loved the color, loved the quality of leather.  And it said it was scrunchable.  Perfect for motorcycle travel! I could shove it in my tank bag. I tried it on. Oh wow, I looked amazing in it.  The women in the store told me that too, in fact they had become my new best friends.  We had been chatting about all sorts fo things as I browsed through the store.  Tell you what, Buy it go to the bar down the street where (famous actor always goes) and if a man in there doesn’t compliment you within the first hour, I could bring it back and they would give me my money back no questions asked. And give me a cheaper iteam from the shop for free.  Ahah! I lit up.  I loved the challenged, loved the sureness in them. Was loving the reflection in the mirror.  Thought I was in no mood for a bar that night I bought the hat. And walked out of the store. Wearing it, feeling like a supermodel.  And….what do you know, not 10 minutes  gone buy and a car with a couple of guys stopped and shouted at me, giving me a thumbs up and making motions for me to come over there to exchange numbers.  I smiled and waved and kept walking without wavering (got pissed about this always happening in Costa Rica) but today, hell yeah. Those men were right!  And I was owning it.  I went around the block and went back to the store to tell the ladies.  They were tickled we  all laughed loud, they thanked me for telling them and I swiftly walked out.  By now, I needed my moto, too much stimulation! Plus I was headed up to abiquiu to find a camping spot by the Chama river.  I’d never been there but if Georgio o’keef had loved it I’m sure I sure a bit of solace was to be found in the landscape.

On my way out I saw a chocolate shop!  Ah yes I stopped and ordered a small drinking chocolate.  The people behind the counters were experts and they loved chocolate and they knew everything about it.  They gave me 3 different samples of various kinds and then I decided on the best one.  They gave it to me in a small little Mexican, potter hand painted glass! LOVED it Soo beautiful. I fantasized about buying a set, with saucer and all and entertaining guests with a strong quality espresso.  Someday I said to myself…sun was getting lower in the sky and I was getting antsy to be on the road. On the road I was in heaven! The land was beautiful, after I got out of the traffic I opened the throttle and flew! Carving through fields and foothills and desert. The wind on my face. Feeling  completely in love with the land,with my life, with my motorcycle, with my amazing riding abilities with my fantasy of living in a cob house in the desert and being like Mabel Dodge Luhan.  Bringing artists together, creating a sanctuary. I could really do it.……..

I love Motorcycle Travel!! Here is how my evening ended, a beautiful sunset over abiquiu reservoir, two new friends who’s style was Wild and very similar to my own :-), and a beautiful moon rise from our campsite next to the Chama River!!