Yesterday we drove from Alamogordo to Portales, NM. We didn’t originally plan to make it in this area, but plans changed a little and suddenly I was able to add this to our itinerary. Very glad we could make it.
I went to ENMU for a few years (more than I should have) in the early 90’s. I also went to High School in Clovis for my Junior and Senior year. This part of the country is as much “home” as anywhere so it was like a homecoming for me to see it again. The ENMU campus has changed a little since I was here, but it is still recognizable. A few new buildings, but many of the familiar faces.
I had spent a lot of time in the KENW TV station when I was going to school. I was also very fortunate to get a tour of the new TV station by the head of the station a few years ago. The new facility is beautiful and a source of pride for me. I hope the students enjoy it as much as I enjoyed working in the old building all those years ago.
I was also able to re-connect with some friends that I haven’t seen in years. Many things have changed for us, and life has thrown a few curveballs, but it’s good to see that they are well and happy in their lives. Portales is such a small town that it does allow for a very good, solid, stable environment for kids to grow up. I’m jealous of these guys to have made such a great decision for themselves and their families. It’s a much better lifestyle than the craziness of the big city.
There are so many things I could say about seeing my friends again. We were only able to spend a few hours, and it has been many years, but despite the time and changes it was almost like we were always there. There was a familiarity that, “yes, you are the same person that I remember.” Vale and I often talk about how incredibly lucky we are to have wonderful people in our lives. Thank you all for taking the time to spend a little bit of your life with us. We do appreciate it.
Today we will spend a little time seeing the places I knew in Clovis before driving to Albuquerque to see another college friend. And so the road trip continues!
Ciao for now.