Tag: #contradancing

Hillsboro Oregon

30 June 2018

Another stunning backdrop in this country. Diamond Peak

Disturbing.

I am in bear and Bigfoot land.

An important safety provision for drivers in this country are rest areas of which are impressive. The USA provides excellent areas for a restroom break for humans and four legged friends, to stretch your legs, have a picnic, a quick nap or a long one, drink and snack vending machines and travel brochures for the state you are in and bordering states. I should have taken photo is of others but this one is beautiful.

For my running friends, I took a slight detour to this spot (known as Pre’s Rock)in Eugene Oregon where Steve “Pre” Prefontaine died. Pre was a famous runner who held many records at the age of 19 and featured in Sports Illustrated and sadly died at 24. It fascinates me when I come across these shrines, and this one in particular, with medals and even Nike shoes people have offered in Pre’s memory more than 40 years after his passing.

Tonight I had a fantastic time at contra dancing. I did 16,000 steps 3.5 hours!! I had so much non stop fun I was annoyed that I forgot to film it.

However this YouTube clip sums it up and we actually have this dance in Sydney. I will be chasing this up when I get home.

On this trip I have been watching my rugby league games live on my phone. Tonight my NRL game was on at a civilised time (9pm here) instead of between 2am and 6am and I had to choose between it and dancing!! The State of Origin game will be on at 2am on 11 July. One good thing will be that it is after my dancing. Go Blues!!

Santa Fe New Mexico

17 March 2018

As dancing was a serious letdown I got to sleep early last night and was off to Santa Fe by 9.00am. I went to the casino nightclub in Alberqueque and it was the worst casino I have ever been to. The people are so poorly dressed, the casino, as many casinos in the USA allows smoking and the smell is awful, and the gamblers look like they don’t have the money to gamble.

A plus was the band was wonderful and played great covers, not as good as The Kamis though. But the dancefloor was full of drunk over 40s couples and it made me so grateful for all our wonderful over 40s venues in Sydney and the people who attend.

So I drove the one (1 ) hour to Santa Fe with a list of places to see. Once again the scenery was breathtaking. I miss sharing this beauty with someone.

Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico. It is quite an affluent area with beautiful Adobe dwellings as well as hacienda style.

I completed some of the unusual things to do from the Atlas Obscura list.

109 East Palace Street is the premises used to screen all people working on the Manhattan Project between 1942 – 45. The atomic bomb was developed and tested in New Mexico.

I was keen to visit the La Cieneguilla Petroglyph site which is Indian rock art dating back to the 13th century. The tour guide recommended I not go at this time of year as there would be a good chance I would come across rattlesnakes and their babies. Okay I struck that off my list.

The Loretta Chapel has an interesting story which I actually saw many years ago on a documentary “Unexplained Mysteries” I never thought I would get to see this staircase said to be a miracle.

I drove up to the Sante Fe Opera as there is a stunning view of The Rockies which still had some snow. Santa Fe has an elevation of 7199 feet and I found it a tad difficult with breathing at times.

I got back to Albuquerque at 7pm and my air bnb host invited me toContra dancing which is a type of square dancing. What energetic fun that was!!

We topped off the night with some salsa at The Cooperage. The people here were the opposite of what I experienced at the casino. Wonderful fun friendly people.