Some people have told me that the SPOT tracking button isn’t working correctly.  I deleted the old one and re-did the link SO – hopefully this one will work.

Did you notice, or already know, that the Arizona Hopi Indian reservation is right in the middle of the Navajo reservation?  I rode through the Hopi reservation thinking I might check out a trading post or two and maybe find a good deal on an authentic Kachina doll.  Nope – all of the trading posts are closed – still trying to get the Covid under control up on the REZ.  Here’s a little information you might not know about Kachina Dolls.

Kachina Dolls – It is a bit of a misnomer to call the Kachina figures dolls.  The stylized icons are a tangible way to teach Hopi children about their religion.  Authentic Kachina figures are carved from the root of the cottonwood tree and are painted and dressed to represent one of the over 250 mythical beings in the Hopi religion.  The central theme of Hopi beliefs is the presence of life in all objects that fill the universe. Everything has an essence or life force and humans must interact with these or they will fail to survive.

The Hopi Kachina carvers aren’t too happy that the Navajo started carving Kachinas to sell, as this impacts one of the Hopi revenue streams and puts inferior products in the market.  Most knock-offs are carved of balsa wood and will be much lighter that authentic kachina figures.  Also the Hopi carved figures are always meticulously carved, painted and dressed; if it looks cheap (or is inexpensive) it’s not an authentic Hopi carved Kachina.

I wasn’t interested on waiting for it to warm up this morning so I broke out the cold weather gear and was on the road by 8:00 – this is what that looks like.

It’s not that good for really cold, but it was 42° when I left and the wind chill was below freezing. I wasn’t warm and toasty – but it was certainly tolerable.  And by the end of the day, the temps were up and the heavy leather was stored.

Here in Northern New Mexico there is quite a bit of natural gas being taken out of the ground.  What’s kinda nice here as opposed to other places I’ve seen, they paint the equipment to match the landscape.  A casual glance around wouldn’t reveal any natural gas wells.  These tanks and pipes were roadside, but you get the idea.

Every time I cross the Continental Divide I try to take a picture.  Continental Divides are hydrological divides.  On one side, the water flows into the Pacific Ocean.  On the other side, it flows into the Gulf of Mexico or toward the Atlantic Ocean.  The Western Continental Divide extends all the way from the Bering Strait to the Strait of Magellan and has mostly very high mountains.  There is an eastern divide but it is much less prominent

I was getting tired of the road I was on so I turned up into the mountains.  70 mph isn’t my idea of fun on a motorcycle – unless it’s in a 45 mph turn.  The mountain roads proved to be just what I was looking for.

This is the Abiquiu Lake.  I looked and looked for a boat somewhere on the water but didn’t see one.  There’s gotta be some bass in that lake that are just waiting to see that plastic worm dance in front of them.  Looks like prime water…..

Coming down out of the pine trees the first real town is Española.  The Jimmy Dean sausage sandwich I had when I left Bloomfield this morning was long gone and I didn’t want to wander around Santa Fe looking for a place to eat.  Eating local in New Mexico means Mexican food (of course) and its gotta to include Hatch Green Chilis.  If you want good advice on where to eat, ask a cop – That’s a Rule.  I saw a cop car at a gas station as I rolled into town and headed straight toward him.  He was very helpful, not only did he point me to La Cocina (The Kitchen) but he gave me a menu suggestion as well.

Jessie’s Combination: beef enchilada, cheese enchilada, pork tamale, beans & posole.  Covered with cheese and sauce Christmas style (both red and green – Hatch).  Also, served with sopaipillas instead of tortillas – with a honey in a squeeze bottle right there on the table.  Your meal automatically comes with dessert – Who could ask for more.

I ate it all but I was full as a tick. Big shout out to the Española cop at that gas station and you can bet that next time through – La Cocina will be on the list.