Last Week in Aztec, Prepare to Return Home

We've been getting out a bit more, seeing a few things that we haven't had the chance to visit here in several years. I made my first trip to Navajo Lake, and my niece and I had a girls day out to see the Barbie movie together. Russ and I have been eating at our favorite restaurants and trying new ones. It's been relaxing and fun, but I've begun to feel too lazy. My usual exercise and active life has turned into sitting around and reading or playing on my computer. The weather has been so hot, it's painful to be outside for more than a few minutes.

Keeping cool feet.

Russ contemplates the view.

The spillway.

Last time we were here the lake was low and tumbleweeds obscured the fence.

The cafe at the lake.

Stuffed green chile tacos. Wow.

Cold beer on a hot day.

They must stock this area of the lake.

Barbie day out with the niece.

Checking the size of the bad tire for replacement.

Side eye on the fountain.

Cheers at Steamworks Brewing in Durango, CO.

Spicy.

SouthWest Ag (SWAG). Great advertising copy.

The old brush hog tire. Weird one. They had a new one in stock!

Carver Brewing in Durango, CO.

Fulll moon rising.

Chilling in the R-Pod with my book.

Rainbows after the rain. Sunset light.

Downtown Aztec, NM.

Good pizza here.

Practical decor.

Sunset over the field.

His mom was outside this window.

I've been laughing about the full kitch ever since. This is Weck's restaurant.

A wreck at Weck's.

The last flower on the pond.

I really appreciate the full kitch... the sign actually said "the full belly kitchen." I've been noticing a lot of art on the road this year. Some fabulous sculptures that would be at home in front of museum, and some so tacky that you wonder why anyone did that - or paid for it. Somehow just the act of art for it's own sake, for anyone to enjoy as they drive past it, makes even the most kitschy pieces worthwhile. The countryside is so beautiful in itself, I'm amazed by the human impulse to make something more, just to decorate our world and give a piece of themselves to a stranger.

We also took the full week before our last day to slowly prepare for our return home. I mopped the R-Pod floor, scoured the bathroom, and re-stocked the refrigerator and pantry. Russ finished up the farm chores and left his mom with less to do going forward. We are going home through the mountains as much as possible to stay a bit cooler. I'm looking forward to home.