New Mexico

[Diana]

Evidently, the chile peppers are very good.

They have two kinds!! I'm gonna try them both.

You know anything about Tribal Law, Knucklehead? Stay by the phone.

[Knucklehead]

Evidently, the chile peppers are very good.

They have two kinds!! I'm gonna try them both.

You know anything about Tribal Law, Knucklehead? Stay by the phone.

Roger. Just remember this phrase: "I will not consent to the body cavity search."

[badcarburetor]

Remember to stock up on bribes.

[MS_39455]

Gallup sounds lovely. Were you following Route 66? I pretty much don't care about that, but the descriptions of Tucumcari being a complete shithole intrigue me. It seems that New Mexico is bookended by greatness.

Speaking of shitholes, my husband has been to Socorro and assures me it is a bleak, apocalyptic nightmare. He has requested current photos to see if it's as desolate as he remembers from 20 years ago. If it is, I might not come back. It sounds perfect.

So according to this map, to reach Gallup you had to pass through a Zuni reservation. How does that work? Is there a gate? "You can't come in here!" This whole reservation thing confuses me. "Sure, you can have your sovereign nation...but we're still totally gonna keep driving right through it. Sign here." And I think the Solar Observatory is on the Mescalero Apache reservation? Like I'm not worried we're going to get attacked or anything, it's just that there are very specific tribal laws about being respectful and bringing alcohol and I don't want to screw up.

I love all of the dumb roadside stuff on the old 66. I've driven it from MO to AZ and Tucamcari's shithole entertainment factor is actually pretty memorable. If it's still there, Tee Pee Curios is worth stopping by if you're looking for questionable buffalo jerky, playing cards with nekked ladies on 'em, and genuine Apache turquoise jewelry made somewhere in a Sichuan Province sweatshop.

And there's nothing to inhibit travel through the reservations. Plenty of public roads and highways go through reservation land. Reservations are definitely considered soveriegn nations within the USA, but I'm not sure about major differences with the law. Some seem more extreme than others. I know some (none that I'm aware of in NM) completely prohibit even the possession of alcohol on their land. I would avoid getting hammered in a kiva or anything like that just to be on the safe side.

[sleyja]

New Mexico is rad. You'll have a great time.

[theRothstanator]

You bringin Bubba with you?

[Diana]

I can't bring Bubba! His lighting rig is too extensive, and he's getting over pneumonia. Which made his lighting rig grow even more extensive. I'm going to miss him terribly.

Roger. Just remember this phrase: "I will not consent to the body cavity search."

YOU DON'T KNOW ME. Badcarburetor is totally trying to get me body-cavity searched. That's why she's not invited.

If it's still there, Tee Pee Curios is worth stopping by

I believe the last reported sighting on Tee Pee Curios is that there's still a Tee Pee but no Curios. Like it's just sitting there empty. Ha. Does the big empty Tee Pee count as a kiva? Because I might get hammered in that. "Accidentally."

Thanks everyone! I'm reassured. I hope that the more things get shut down, the more interesting our trip will become. Also, please be aware that drunken texts will be two hours later than normal due to the time difference, so adjust your shedyules accordingly.

Apropos of nothing, Tommy please check your PMs...

[Diana]

There's gotta be some place that you can rent and shoot machine guns. So, get on that.

My brother says we can do this, but it is cost-prohibitive. Actually he said "expensive as shit."

Solja boy: You've never shot anything before?
Me: Nope.
Solja boy: Yeeahh... maybe we'll start with something a little smaller...
Me: A flame thrower?
Solja boy: Nope.

I would pay a whole lot to shoot a flamethrower.

In other news, my head is completely up my ass today. I am useless at work, and I will be twice as useless tomorrow. Good day.