A Little Catch Up

So we loaded up Tinkerbell and  hit the road for a week long road trip. My books weighed a ton and I think I took my whole closet, just in case. You never know when you will meet the Queen on the road. Our first stop was Santa Fe and it was warm wonderful and very , very windy. We met some nice folks in a 50's and up RV park. They thought we were full timers because of the size of our rig. We were towing a Jeep because we were going to Moab. I had to laugh because it was the first time we towed a car, but at least we must have looked the part.

When we arrived in Moab, I was so excited, because my favorite indie bookstore is there (other than Tattered Cover) We grabbed a slice at Zax's pizza and mosied down Main Street and I immediately saw that something was wrong. 

Where was the friendly sign, luring me in? Where was the smell of coffee and the people coming in and out?

WHERE THE HELL WAS ARCHES BOOK COMPANY?

Gone, it was gone. My Moab touchstone was no more.

I asked what happened and the T-shirt guy said it moved across the street next door to Back of Beyond , another bookstore. Whew....I was so relieved. Across the street we go and there is the sign...and I looked in the window only to see...well, it looked like a tornado went through. Wood shelving piled everywhere, no friendly staff, no coffee smell. Damn.

We went into Back of Beyond and don't get me wrong,they have a lovely store, with a really neat rare book section,  but they did not carry magazines, have coffee, or sell any of the fun bookmarks, coffee cups, tote bags, that I love to add to my book purchases. They said that  Arches Book Company was done. I want to weep! (but they said I could get coffee across the street) I bought a book because I felt bad,and because they are an Indie, but it will no longer be my destination of choice, I'm afraid.

RIP-ARCHES BOOK COMPANY

Am I missing something?

While away in the wilds of the mountains, with no internet, no tv, no phone, I worried about my Google reader. (oh , and my farm on Farmville) I was right to be worried. I came home to 1000+ postings and dead crops . My hand went out to the "mark all as read" button, shaking, I started to push it when my brain said......"what if you miss something"? You know that feeling, when you think it will be okay, but what if...so I have been reading and reading, never catching up it seems. It is Saturday, so I am going to try and catch up completely, which means not getting my book reading done. Am I being too anal??

Inspirational

Imagine if you will, working by yourself for 7 years, hauling huge boxes of dynamite, tools, and everything you need up steps to carve out a mountain. (hell, I can barely manage a coffee cup up the stairs)

The Crazy Horse Memorial is just amazing.

Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear officially started Crazy Horse Memorial June 3, 1948. The Memorial's mission is to honor the culture, tradition and living heritage of North American Indians.

Korczak's family has continued the work, living and growing up on the mountain that honors the Native Americans, who were treated so badly by the government that had agreed to protect their lands, and people.

Funding has not come from any agency, by donations, fees for entry, and gift shop items all contribute to the fantastic sculpture. There is an education center, the chance to watch and speak to Native American craftsmen, a storyteller, and the chance to visit his home and workshop. All in all it is well worth the entry fee.

The kids love Mount Rushmore

Poppets love travelling!

WTF?!?

A few months ago when I visited my Dad, this is the only picture I took. Duh....I am going to do better this trip!

Road Trip

We will be loading up Tinkerbelle, tossing in Jack the Dog, and heading for Mount Rushmore! I picked up "The girl who Kicked The Hornet's Nest" to take along. This should be fun, and relaxing. I have a couple of reviews to do before Friday, and I want to blog hop, so I am making sure we have WI-FI. More later taters...