We stayed in El Paso last night after I got my 2nd Pfizer shot. I will pontificate on the vaccine in some other post, for now I will just say it was relatively uneventful.
This morning I was happily surprised by a text from an old friend who lives in Las Cruces. I had written him yesterday to see if we could connect and was happy to find out that he had a little time this morning before work. Awesome! So Vale and I hit the road asap and were able to spend about 2 hours with my friend at his house. Met his daughter and his mother in law. His wife was at work, but hopefully we will get the chance to meet at some point. With any luck they will visit us when/if we move across the pond.
Quick note here to say that it’s been amazing to re-connect with old friends and relatives during our trip. The places we visit are nice, but the people are what truly make it special. I have no words to express how happy I was leaving my friends house today after seeing him doing so well in life. I’m happy for him and very proud to call him a friend. Good times.
After Las Cruces we went to White Sands National Park. Beautiful place. I had come here a few times when I was living in Alamogordo, but it was new (and exciting) for Vale. My friend had given me an old sled and we had fun sledding down the dunes a few times. Old age is setting in and the walk up the dune wasn’t as much fun, so we only had a few runs down. We took some pictures as well and just enjoyed the overall beauty of the place.
We left White Sands about 2:30pm and headed to Alamogordo. This is where I lived from age 9 – 14. I was excited to show Vale a few places from my past and she allowed me to do that. First stop was the house we lived in. I wasn’t going to knock on the door, but Vale encouraged me a little and so we did. I’m so glad we did. The current owners are the same ones that bought the house from us in the mid/late 1980’s. They were incredibly kind and brought us into the house to see all the things that they have changed. Overall, it was the same house, but they have made it their own over the last 35-ish years. They also have raised their 3 children and now a few grandchildren in the house. Very glad to see that it’s gone to such a wonderful family. I have a lot of good memories in that house.
From there we visited my old Elementary and Junior High School. Both buildings were the same as I went to in the 80’s. I’m a little concerned for the school budgets, maybe it’s time for some refurbishing? Regardless, it’s nice to see them.
Aaaaannnnnndddd that’s it. Very full day. Lots of emotions and wonderful experiences. Great people and happy memories. What else is there?
Pizza and beer for dinner. That’s what else. So we did that too.
Ciao for now.