CATCHING UP IN TRINIDAD

      It has been several months since I posted and I thought I better post so that people (if anybody reads this) know that I am still alive.  Perhaps I need a sign like Granny Weatherwax "I ain't dead."  Anyway I have done three craft shows - Victorian Christmas in Trinidad; homecoming in Branson; and one at the senior center in Aguilar.  And have two more next month.
     In December we Marjie and I happened to be present for the posada in Trinidad.  We were working late at the bookstore which was on the street where the posada took place.  A posada is a procession of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem looking for a place to stay.  A couple dressed like Mary and Joseph and a group of mariachis and singers parade down the street stopping at various places asking for a place to stay.  The way is lit by candles placed in paper bags.  Workers spent the afternoon setting up 1500 candles on either side of Commercial Street for about 4 blocks.  The group stopped at the book store and asked if we had room and we had to tell them that we had no room.  They went on down the street, eventually finding room at Francesca's.  Here are some pictures of the posada:

 

 

     We have had several snows (I really haven't kept track), mostly less than 6 inches.  They have all melted in a couple of days.  We are still short of moisture for the coming year.  There is still snow on the mountains and the Spanish Peaks.  I have found out what a broom snow is - one in which you can clean sidewalks and driveways with a broom instead of a snow shovel.  Everyone is looking forward to spring.
     Last summer some portraits began appearing around Trinidad, drawn on the sides of vacant buildings  The first was that of Clark Gable:

The second was of Bette Davis:

And the third was Johnny Depp:

No one knew who was drawing them and at least one  article was written in the local newspaper.  And then, late one night, a young lady was discovered making one of the drawing by candle light.  She was drawing the portraits in chalk so they are not permanent and not considered graffiti.  Since that time, several other works of art have appeared, such as the bear shown here:

I am not sure who did the bear but I hope that this trend continues.  It makes Trinidad more interesting and adds a certain mystery to the area.  Perhaps the local college and high school art classes can paint historic murals around town.
      If anyone remembers the original movie "Red Dawn", there is a picture of a cowgirl painted on the side of a building in a fictional town of Calumet.  That painting actually exists -- in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

What to do in Trinidad

     You might think in a small town there is nothing to do.  Well, at least with Trinidad you would be wrong.  Several Fridays ago, the United States Air Force Academy Band sent their brass quintet, "Stellar Brass", to perform in Trinidad at the Mount Carmel Center.  The performance was sold out (the tickets were really free, you just had to get them before they were gone.)  The music ranged from classical to jazz and the performance lasted about two hours.  When the Air Force sends musicians they always perform familiar pieces and some of which that I have never heard.  The group also explains the music which adds much to the evening.  Last fall we were entertained by the String Ensemble from the Academy, an equally excellent and versatile group.  We hope to see more from the Academy next year.
    The Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre is based in Trinidad.  We were fortunate enough to see three of their performances this past summer and the Queen City Jazz Band that they sponsored.  The one that I enjoyed most was "On Golden Pond".  It was not what I remembered from seeing the movie years ago.  It was much better, I thought.  The group had been performing at a theater on the campus of Trinidad State Junior College but they recently obtained their own building on Main Street.  Their opening was "A Dysfunctional Family Thanksgiving Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre".  Over the years the building has been many things but mostly it has been a department store.  So the theatre is named "The Old Historic 'Famous Department Store' Theatre".  They took possession on a Tuesday and gave the performance and dinner on Saturday.  It was a stellar production with such a short preparation time.  The gourmet dinner was catered by Cafe What 'A Grind.  The two families involved were the Uptons and the Bottoms and they were characters, not just in the sense of actors in a play.  The murder was committed (poison in a wine glass) and the audience was left to solve the mystery of who was the poisoner by questioning the cast members.  Eventually, with the help of Lieutenant Dan ( local police detective) the mystery was solved.  Who was the murderer?  A member of the family.
    In addition, we had a lighting parade and the town's Christmas lights were turned on.  We missed this, being in Denver for Thanksgiving.  Up coming is the Senior Center Christmas dinner, the Posada in which Mary and Joseph try to find a place to stay, and a ballet company is coming to town to perform with local dancers.
     Nothing to do in a small town?  I think not.

Where to Eat in Trinidad

      This is NOT a review of restaurants in Trinidad.  I have not been to a restaurant here where the food or service is less than good.  I recommend all of them in which I have eaten.
     We often eat lunch at the Sayre Senior Center.  The food there is good, the service, provided by wonderful volunteers, is excellent, and company at the meal is wonderful and very interesting.  The patrons (and volunteers) are a mixture of life-long residents and transplanted newbies.  Discussions are always interesting.
     I believe that the first place we ate in Trinidad (except for breakfast at the motel) was Bueno's, first on Commercial Street and then at their new location at  Quality Inn  motel south of town.  I love  their burrito smothered with Christmas (both red and green chili) with rice and beans and sopapillas for desert. I usually order the burrito. I have not had their meat loaf but the DMM says that it is very good.  I can't remember what all we have eaten there but it has all been good.  Service is very good.
      We often eat at the Trinidad Diner.  Their meat loaf, fried chicken (the half fried chicken is enough to get three meals from it), Greek food and gyros, roast beef, and menudo are all worth consideration.  It is difficult, at times, to make up your mind.  Service is as good as the food.  Be sure to have a meal here.
     My son and his spouse say that Bella Luna's pizza is the best they have ever eaten.  I disagree but would place it second best.  The best pizza is at Tony's in Columbia, Missouri.  However, that was fifty years ago during our college years and in the company of the DMM and I may be suffering from nostolgia.  Since Tony's is no longer in business Bella Luna can rightfully claim first place.  Bella Luna is located on Main Street right in the Corizon de Trinidad.
     Bob and Earl's is located on Highway12 (the Highway of Legends) and their food and service is equal to any other place in town.  We have had roast beef, fried fish, meat loaf (yes, we like a good meat loaf), probably other items that I can't remember and, of course, their chili burger (try it, it is good).  This place is just a down home restaurant with good food and service.
     If you want Chinese food visit Chef Lui's.  There are other Chinese restaurants in town but we have not yet visited them.  The food and serve are good, hot tea is served at every meal.  Usually there is more served than we can eat so we have lunch the next with the Chef Lui's food.
     One of our neighbors recommended the Family Seed Restaurant so we went there.  At the risk of repeating myself the food and service were very good.  The first time we got burritos with rice and beans.  Instead of refired beans, they were either red kidney beans or pinto beans.  The other Saturday we went for breakfast.  The DMM got bacon, eggs, potatoes, and a small stack.  I got French Toast (lost bread) and got to help DMM eat her breakfast.  Good coffee and plenty of it.
     We have been to Cafe What 'Grind once for coffee and a roll in the morning.  The other night the cafe catered a meal we attended - Pear and Gorgonzola salad, Chicken Osso Buco, Tri-Colored Potatoes, Rice Pilaf, Asparagus and dessert.  It was very good.
       We have also eaten sandwiches and salads at the Corner Cafe and the Cafe at D Dry, both on Main Street.  Good food and service at both.
       From what I hear on the radio, we have 24 more restaurants to try.

Branson (Colorado, that is)

     We had our first snow today.  It was a little over an inch and was melted from the streets and side walks when we woke up.  The sun is out and the temperature rising so it will probably be mostly gone by afternoon.
     At the farmers' market this summer we heard about a Christmas crafts fair in Branson. Colorado and have been making plans to have a booth there.  We found out that Branson has a population of about 70 people and wondered if it was worth attending.  So we took a day trip to check out the town.
     Branson is about 50 miles from Trinidad.  We drove east and then south across the high plains almost to the border with New Mexico.  Everytime I drive in eastern Colorado and western Kansas I wonder what it was like crossing the high plains in a wagon.  My great grandmother did with two small children.  They went from Missouri to Utah and then back to Nebraska.  I covered in an hour what they would have covered in a week.
     Arriving in Branson, we were at a loss for finding any information, so we went to the Post Office.  The post-mistress was very helpful and provided with the information that we needed.  She also told us the part of the crafts fair would be held in the town library which was the old Catholic church.  Below is a picture the library.

 

 

     We were also able to visit the old jail (shown below).  It was built in the early 20th century and once held two prisoners, both on charges of drunkeness.  But they escaped

 



    Since there are no restaurants in Bransom we decided to continue south and west to Raton, NM.  We passed through the towns of Folsum (home of the Folsum man and Folsum point) and Capul1n (home of a volcano).  We didn't stop as we were getting hungry but plan to return soon.  Somewhere between Branson and Folsum I took this picture of the fall colors.

    Regarding the crafts fair, I contacted the lady in charge of the Homecoming celebration and got a booth.  She told us that hundreds of people attend from all over the southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.  So we hope to have a success in Branson.  I guess we will miss Andy Williams.  Maybe we'll take a CD with us.

Photos of Courthouse Re-Dedication

Above is a photo of the front of the Las Animas County Courthouse.

A smaller statue of Liberty at the corner of the courthouse, refurbished for the re-dedication

 This is the original cornerstone from 1912.  New re-dedicated cornerstone is about the same size and style.

This photo shows the side of the courthouse.  The steps are undergoing rebuilding.

An Afternoon of Celebrations

     A month or so ago, we attended two celebrations on one Friday afternoon.  First we went down to Main Street for the Trinidad High School Miners Homecoming Parade.  It was pretty much what you would expect -- fire truck with sirens, police cars, marching bands (two - both high school and middle school), floats, pretty young ladies and handsome young gentlemen as homecoming attendants and a very good turn out of adults and young people.  Oh yes, most importantly, candy was thrown from the floats to the children on the sidewalks.  I suspect that most of the adults were alumni of the high school.  It was very enjoyable and somewhat nostalgic.  Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera.
     The second celebration was the Centennial Re-Dedication Ceremony for the Las Animas County Courthouse.  It began with the High School Band playing followed by the opening ceremonies.  Local Masons and state Masonic officials were present for the re-dedication of the new cornerstone.  Building of the courthouse began in 1912.  It was built by local stonecutters and masons (many from Italy) from a local sandstone.  I was told by a tour guide that the courthouse was built entirely without cement.  The stones are simply fitted together without cement.  Inside the courthouse is a wonderful wood carving illustrating the history of Las Animas County.
     The Masonic Re-Dedication was very formal and very impressive.  I have never experienced anything quite like it.  The new cornerstone was examined by the Masons with a square, a compass, and a plumb line and was found to be square, true and plumb and, thus, acceptable.  It was then anointed with corn, oil, and wine.  And finally its placement in the building was approved.
    The contents of the original time capsule from 1912 were presented and were on display.  The contents of the new time capsule (2012) were presented.  The ceremonies closed with remarks from dignitaries of the county.
    As an interesting sidenote, the gentleman who discovered the position and who uncovered the original time capsule was a mason whose grandfather helped bury the original capsule. 

TPaul and the divine MS. M go to Chicago

     One of the reasons we moved to Trinidad had to do with transportation.  As awful as it is to comtemplate, there will probably come a time when neither of us will be able to drive.  While we still drive, Trinidad is located directly on Interstate 25 and two other interstate highways are accessable.  There is a local transporation system that runs a bus on a regular circuit and also has smaller vehicles for specialized transportation.  This service goes to Raton and Walsenberg and twice a week goes to Pueblo for medical appointments.
     The other long distance transportation is the AmTrak line that stops in Trinidad.  The train is the "Southwest Chief" and runs daily between Chicago and Los Angeles.  We have relatives at both end of the line.  It is possible to transfer to the "River Runner" in Kansas City and go to St. Louis.  We decided to take the "Southwest Chief" to Chicago to visit are new grandson (and family, of course).  The bus in Trinidad picked us up at our house and dropped us off at the train station.
     The eastbound train arrives in Trinidad at 4:46 p.m. and arrives in Chicago at 3:15 p.m. the next day.  The only problem is that freight trains take priority over AmTrak and this can play havoc with the schedule.  The train was 45 minutes late getting into Trinidad.  Despite further delays, the train was only 1 hour late getting into Chicago.  As an aside, it would be easy to get upset over these delays but if you think about it, it is no worse than being delayed by a traffic accident, slow service in a restaurant, or oversleeping at a motel.  It is a delay of about 4%.  The cost was about half of what it would cost  and took only one-third of the time to drive.  The cost was about the same as flying but without the discomfort.
     So we boarded the train, were shown to our reserved seats and set off across the high plains of eastern Colorado and Kansas.  The views were good - ranches and cattle, pronghorns and a coyote, Fisher's Peak as we left Trinidad, and a rising full moon over the prairie.  It was more enjoyable than either driving or flying.
     We went to the dining car for dinner.  DMM had roasted chicken with rice pilaf and green beans and I had pork loin with mustard sauce, creamed spinach, and wheat bulgar.  The food was excellent and the cost was no more than it would have been in a typical restaurant.  The service was very good.  For breakfast the next morning we went the beverage and snack bar in the observation car and ate while we watched the Missouri and Iowa landscape.  Lunch was again in the dining car - hamburgers, chips and iced tea.
     On the evening of the first night, the attendant came to the car, distributed pillows, and adjusted the lights.  The seats are wider than airline seats and there is probably three times as much leg room.  The seats reclined and were as comfortable as a reclining chair at home.  What was missing was the television and a glass of Tulamore Dew.  We slept the night in the coach car.  Any complaints about sleeping are due to our age and physical conditions rather than the accommodations.
    Returning home we called the bus from LaJunta and it met us at the station and took us home.
All in all, the train ride was enjoyable.  It was much nicer than flying or driving.  Both DMM and I would do it again.  We would like to try a sleeping car, if we can afford it.  It is really a shame that train travel isn't more widely used and available in this country.  I guess it says something about the power of the airlines and highway departments.