Windmills

While driving down the street one day (US 60 headed east out of Belen) I spotted this...

Then there were 2 - Mountainair

Then there were dozens - Willard

Then there was the time gone by

And this is what it was-

High Lonesome Wind Ranch on the Mesa de los Jumanos 

Here's more from "the net"

Energy for all!

Good for you, New Mexico!

Estancia Happenings FC

On the road, again...driving through Estancia, New Mexico - a once bustling 'burb that had a terrific eating place worth the drive - until it burned down.

Now, the biggest thing is the Torrance County Detention Facility just out of town.

Problems ahead!    Whoa....this can't be good!

And, following the Road Closed direction, through a windy (windy=twisty - not as in the blowing scenery of a March day) town street is found this sign:

What do you mean, a highway blocked off is a "Special Event".

Sounds suspicious!

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the main drag through downtown Estancia had been taken over by long necked creatures...

 The New Mexico Film Office Announces “Fast Color” to film in New Mexico 

SANTA FE — New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced today that the independent feature “Fast Color” produced by LD Entertainment will begin principal photography mid-March thru mid-April in Albuquerque. 

The production will employ approximately 100 New Mexico crew members, 5-7 New Mexico principal actors and over 300 New Mexico background talent. 

The independent feature is directed by Julia Hart (“Miss Stevens”) and produced by Mickey Liddell (“Jackie,” “Anthropoid,” “Risen,” and upcoming 2017 release “Megan Leavey”), Pete Shilaimon (“Anthropoid,” “Risen” and upcoming 2017 release “Megan Leavey”) and Jordan Horowitz (“La La Land,” “Miss Stevens,” “The Kids Are All Right”). 

“Our film ‘Fast Color’ is the perfect vehicle to showcase the majestic landscapes and the abundance of unique locations here in New Mexico.  We are excited to work with the deep and talented artisans and technicians of the New Mexico film community, and we appreciate the partnership with the New Mexico State Film Office,” said producer Pete Shilaimon. “We look forward to building a relationship for this and hopefully more movies to come.”

Starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Miss Sloane,” “Free State of Jones,” “Concussion”), “Fast Color” is the story of a young woman forced to go on the run when her superhuman abilities are discovered. Years after having abandoned her family, the only place she has left to hide is home.

Friends, this is economic development that is working, and putting people to work, economic development that is paying off!  Keep it going, New Mexico! 

Tingley Coliseum Throwback

It was a throwback Wednesday night at Tingley Coliseum @ Expo New Mexico.

Fans of all ages were stompin' and hootin' to the sounds of Sir Elton John and his band.

Upwards of 11,000 folks jammed the venerable facility, which had been dressed up pretty darn good, to sing, dance, listen and enjoy one of the world's premier entertainers.

And entertain he did.  Straight through, from 8:10 until conclusion after 10:30, no intermission, it was song after song.

Tingley looked pretty good for being 60 ... and Sir Elton went on and on...  He
will be 70 on Saturday.

He told the adoring crowd that he loved doing live performances because it was a way of getting energized.  Sure, he said he likes to sell his records, CD's, and DVD's, but the energy comes from the fans.

Lighting for Goodbye Yellow Brick Road!

This was a spectacular event - the sound and lighting - installed to the specs provided by the tour, and then operated by the tour staff was rockin' too.

Now, looking forward, this community needs to get together and figure out how to design and build a modern arena venue that can last the next 60 years.

It can be done!   

Rio Bosque

One of my uncles always called it the "Rye-oh Grande" - despite having spent 80 years of his life in Taos.

We took our pooch down to the Rio on a nice late winter day.  He wasn't too excited about it.  Didn't even chase a duck or a goose!

In a few weeks, the snow melt in the mountains will fill Ol' Man River with much needed moisture headed to the farmlands and chile plants at points south.

Maybe there will even be enough water to help fill up Elephant Butte Lake.

Magic Mountains

Way out west - just a few miles south of Las Vegas along the interstate headed toward (or from) Los Angeles is a pretty weird sight.  Seven Magic Mountains.



They are huge concrete boulders - check it out - those are people walking around the bases of the artwork.

You gotta see this - it's better than the fountains at the Bellagio!

Oh, and there are other signs all around about snakes.  

Rattle Rattle Rattle

Trump Sweden

This is something I took off the internet that shows "Sweden".

Donald Trump has been saying something about trouble in Sweden.

About 130 years ago, my grandmother Swanson along with her parents and sisters left Sweden for the United States of America.

My grandmother then denounced Oscar II the King of Sweden so she could become a citizen of the United States.

I wonder if that would happen today?

Cross Country Throwback

Once in a while the mind wanders...and I was wandering the other day - and came up with the following list - all of the 50 states - and where I visited.  At some point I might elaborate about why I was there, and when.

• Alabama
• Mobile and toured submarine
• Alaska
• Anchorage, Fairbanks, Prudhoe Bay
• Arizona
• Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Page, Navajo Reservation et.al.
• Arkansas
• Little Rock
• California
• LA, San Diego, Mendocino, Sacramento, San Francisco, et.al
• Colorado
• Cortez, Durango, Denver, Colorado Springs, Trinidad, Walsenburg, et.al
• Connecticut
• New Haven, Ridgefield
• Delaware
• President’s Bar in Wilmington
• Florida
• Marco Island – Stan’s Idle Hour Bar, et. al
• Georgia
• Atlanta Olympics, Macon for Thanksgiving Dinner
• Hawaii
• Kona, Kamuela, Hanalei, Hana, Honolulu, Lahaina, Kilahuea National Park
• Idaho
• Boise, Idaho Falls, West Yellowstone
• Illinois
• Chicago, Medinah
• Indiana
• Indianapolis around the Brickyard with Bobby Unser
• Iowa
• Des Moines, Council Bluffs
• Kansas
• Kansas City
• Kentucky
• Paducah, Lexington, Louisville,
• Louisiana
• New Orleans
• Maine
• Bath, Freeport to LL Bean
• Maryland
• Baltimore
• Massachusetts
• Boston, Bedford,
• Michigan
• Detroit
• Minnesota
• Minneapolis
• Mississippi
• Gulfport
• Missouri
• St. Louis, Joplin the night of 9/11
• Montana
• Billings, Gardiner
• Nebraska
• Omaha, Lincoln, Weeping Water
• Nevada
• Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe,
• New Hampshire
• Keene,
• New Jersey
• Atlantic City, Galloway
• New Mexico
• I’ve been everywhere
• New York
• New York City, Albany
• North Carolina
• Cashiers, Charlotte
• North Dakota
• Bismarck
• Ohio
• Columbus, Akron
• Oklahoma
• Oklahoma City, Tulsa,
• Oregon
• Portland, Tillamook, Newport, Corvallis
• Pennsylvania
• Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Latrobe, Lititz, Hershey
• Rhode Island
• Passing through on the Amtrak
• South Carolina
• Myrtle Beach, Columbia
• South Dakota
• Rapid City, Mount Rushmore
• Tennessee
• Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis
• Texas
• I’ve been everywhere, even to Post, the home of Post Toasties founder
• Utah
• Salt Lake City, Moab, Halls Crossing at Lake Powell
• Vermont
• Burlington, Brattleboro
• Virginia
• Richmond, Williamsburg
• Washington
• Seattle, Puyallup, Chambers Bay, Yakima, Spokane
• West Virginia
• Morgantown
• Wisconsin
• Milwaukee
• Wyoming
• Cheyenne, Jackson, Guernsey