I honestly love the blogs where I just get to lightly report on things we’ve seen and simpler times. This day of tour found us just on a solid seven-hour drive from Fort Collins, CO to Albuquerque, NM. It was very beautiful. We got to do some crosswording and visiting, but mostly we just respected the beauty around us. Except when we rolled into Colorado Springs (an apropos name for our situation). It was one of those rare times when Jared and both had to pee so badly, we were almost angry. We knew we were going to have some lunch in town, but with the trailer, nothing is ever as easy as, “Hey! Just park right in front in one of the seven open spots!” Oh no. Nope. Not today. Not EVER with the trailer. With our bladders literally trying to birth themselves out of our nether regions, we drove around the block and found meter parking somewhere far, far away from our destination. Jared quickly fed the meter for the truck. Great! Now the meter for the trailer. Waiting… Still waiting… Meanwhile, I have begun to wonder if wet shorts would dry quickly in the two million degree heat we were standing in. Maybe just a quick trickle to ease some pressure? No. Stay strong, Jessi. You know if you open the door even just a little bit, “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?” will begin to play and you’ll be in such trouble. As Jared danced back and forth in front of the fickle meter, I saw all of his life choices that led him to this moment playing on his face. We BOTH went at the last gas stop about two hours ago. Why were we dying? No use trying to figure out the science now. The meter FINALLY released us and we speed-walked to the restaurant.
When we got there, Jared ran to the bathroom. I read the sign at the front that said, “Please wait to be seated, even if you’re just wanting a bar seat.” and I panicked. “Jared! You can’t just go!” “Watch me!” He almost yelled back. I think I even saw tears in his eyes. I gave in. Ok, I’m breaking the rules and passing the “Please WAIT” sign! My luck, BOTH bathrooms were OCCUPIED!!! You guys, at this point my bladder was giving my belly a nice Al Bundy silhouette and I truly believed I was going to pee my pants right there, before God and the entire waitstaff. As the end neared, a woman came out of the bathroom and gave me a shy, apologetic smile, and as adults, we all know what that meant. At this point guys, I could have cared less about whatever demons she exercised in there, I just needed in. I damn near bowled over the pretty blonde in the snappy business casual pencil skirt and pumps. With my pants almost off, I locked the door, and enjoyed a relief I haven’t felt in over ten years, since the birth of our dear Rudy. As the pee left me, I slowly regained my faculties, my sense of smell being the first to return, and like a slow-mo Olympic replay, I remembered the smile that passed between myself and the bathroom’s former occupant. Well played m’am, well played. In my current state, I couldn’t even be mad. I just laughed out loud, washed my hands, and said a silent prayer of thanks to the porcelain gods for their cruel and perfect sense of humor.
At least lunch was incredible.
Our walk back felt like a saunter, nay, a mosey, in juxtaposition to the mad dash we made on our way in. We stopped several times to capture charming street art, and even swung into an art gallery where we spent a good thirty minutes in complete awe of some of the work. Really fresh and innovative and worth a look. They are online and you should pop on and just enjoy. I didn’t take pictures because I’m not certain on the etiquette of that. But here’s the store front!
Our sunset as we drove through Pecos, NM. These pictures feel like a joke compared to the real thing. I had to roll my window down, as to avoid the window grime obscuring the true beauty of the sky. When I did, we were blasted with the warm evening air. A dry 87 degrees hit us in the face, coupled with the view, some classical music and the sweet, familiar rhythm of the road beneath us, really hit home and we both smiled.
Pulling into our hotel for the night I was immediately in love with the aesthetic of the place. A newly renovated ,1960’s vintage throwback, with a modern and fresh feel, the Imperial Motel is doing what they can to change the outdated look and clientele of their old space. The woman at the front desk shared some stories about the place before her time there, and we all agreed the new direction was way better and we were grateful to be there.
This mint color was the color of my bedroom as a “tweenager”, so I was giddy.
In true good auntie form, my Aunt Tammy sent us on the road with some fresh peaches. Once our luggage and alllll our things were lugged up two flights of stairs and we were settled in, we dined on a couple of those peaches as a perfect, juicy, and delicious dessert to end our day.
This kingsize bed was quickly occupied by me, as Jared had some writing to do and needed to stay up for awhile. With only nine days left until I hold our beautiful child in my arms, I let myself sink into the mattress topper, snuggled beneath the light, cotton comforter, the whir of the air conditioner lulling me to sleep, and I finally succumbed to dreamland.
