Hello, everyone! Well, here I am starting yet another of our little tales of travel. This time, I’m going to be talking about our 2024 trip to Albuquerque. Yes, once again, we headed back to our old New Mexican home...which is something we seem to do at least once a year, and which I’m surprised you’re not bored to tears with.
But this time there are going to be a couple of variations on the theme. First, we weren’t just going for the vacation--though that was very much part of our motivation. But, there was another reason. Specifically, it was our anniversary. Even more specifically, it was the big number 42.
Yes, folks, Martha’s put up with me for not less than 42 years. Four tens and a two. No. Really. She has. I don’t understand it either. I mean, really. A less forgiving woman would have clubbed me with a Mashie Niblick (1) and taken off for Mexico years ago. And I wouldn’t have blamed her. I mean, everyone has a breaking point, and when it comes to dealing with me, most people reach it after the first fifteen minutes or so. Usually just following the fourth or fifth really dumb pun.(2)
About the photos: First an exterior shot of the Turquoise Museum at its current location. Admittedly, it does look like something out of the Addams Family, but, believe me, there’s a whole other world inside. Second, Martha in the Museum in front of some of the belt buckles on display in the Museum. Third, and finally, a magnificent turquoise mask, also in the museum.
The other reason that this series is going to be different is that we were going to visit something we’d wanted to see for a very long time...but had never had quite gotten around to it. We were going to visit The Turquoise Museum, which has almost certainly the largest and most complete collection of turquoise and turquoise jewelry on display in the world.(3)
Quite simply, it has to be seen to be believed, and I’m hoping you *will* see it. I’m hoping that you will, someday, take a New Mexico trip, and while you’re there, you will buy tickets and visit the museum. I’m hoping that you will do that because if you have any interest in jewelry or turquoise, you’ll have a wonderful time. I’m also hoping you’ll do that because the museum should have more visitors. It deserves them.
Also, while I’m sure the museum is doing just fine economically, it is a private museum. That is, it is owned by individuals...not the state, not the city, not some non-profit entity. And that worries me. It worries me because I’ve heard rumors...just whispered, but present...that someday, somehow, someone with deep pockets will swoop in and carry the whole collection off to London or Paris, or some place equally far away, to be exhibited to tourists and travelers.
And I do not...repeat, do not... want that to happen. If possible.
Okay, starting up again. It was early in 2024 and I asked Martha what she wanted for her anniversary gift. We went back and forth on that, but finally she decided that as part of her gift, she might like a trip to Albuquerque. That sounded like a plan, so arrangements were made, and on August 6, 2024, we found ourselves in an airplane, leaving Austin, and bound for Albuquerque.
It was an uneventful flight (thank goodness) without any storms or delays or bashing about and soon we were in Albuquerque. We picked up our rental car and went straight to lunch. Martha wanted to go to an old favorite of ours, the Gyros Mediterranean, a Greek and Mediterranean restaurant (obviously) right across the street from the University of New Mexico.(4) We used to go there all the time, and I’m happy to report the food is still excellent. You always worry about such things. But this time ’twas unnecessary.
From there, it was off to our AirB&B. Once more, we were staying at the Casita, which I’ve written about several times. As I’ve said before, it’s probably our favorite AirB&B destination. And, yes, it played a role in our decision to get an outbuilding...our own Casita...as my office here in Georgetown.
Martha then headed off for a nap while I worked on my journal in my Chromebook. And that was, mostly, our first day in Albuquerque in 2024...and it been a peaceful one at that.(5)
What we didn’t know was that we were about to see some things that were more than little distressing. And more than a little sad.
And there would be absolutely nothing we could do about it.
More to come.
Footnotes:
1. Not to be confused with a Brassie, a Wooden Cleek, or a Baffing Spoon. https://www.tripsavvy.com/do-you-know-the-names-of-old-golf-clubs-4072148
2. Viz., “So what was Captain Hook’s favorite bread? Pita Pain.” Get it? Pita, is a kind of bread. And Pain is French for “bread” and is pronounced like “Pan,” even though it looks like it ought to be “pain.” As in ouch. So Peter Pan. So, you see, it’s a joke. Ha Ha Ha...
Ha?
Ah...hmm. Maybe next time.
3. It’s Website is here: https://turquoisemuseum.com/
4. The Gyros Mediterranean’s webpage is here: https://gyrosabq.com/
5. Knock knock. “Who’s there? “Pita.” “Pita who” “Pita Pain!” HA Ha ha...snort. Um. Get it? You see. Pita. And Pain. Sounds like Peter and Pan? Like in the story?Umm...
Look, you know I’m gonna to keep doing this until I get a chuckle out of somebody. So, don’t let it get ugly. Uglier than it already is, that is.
Copyright©2025 Michael Jay Tucker
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