FINAL STROKES OF A NEW NOVEL

The Honor Bar

The setting:  a road trip.

Third in a series of road trip stories.

A New York publisher is in the process of acquiring the first.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH (RETROSPECTIVE)

SOMEWHERE, ALONG THE ROAD

Still trying my best to believe in it.

SURPRISE, AZ

"The Past"

"The Present"

"The Future"

HOMEWARD BOUND

Six days, five nights; just under 2,500 miles.

PARADISE VALLEY MORNING

PARADISE VALLEY: THE SANCTUARY

A view of Camelback from The Sanctuary's bar.

The perfect time, of course, for a Vesper:  three parts Nolet's gin, one part Tito's vodka, a half-part Lillet, a dash of Reagan's No. 6 Orange Bitters, with a twist, leave the shaker.

Final night of a marathon road trip.

PARADISE VALLEY, AZ: CASITA WITH A VIEW

Camelback Mountain

From wool back to linen.

BY THE TIME I GET TO PHOENIX

Might have driven to Tucson.  

But decided on Phoenix.

That's the beauty of the road:  No reservations.  Anywhere.

Spontaneity.  Impulse.  Freedom.

THIRSTY CoW

Somewhere on the outskirts of Santa Fe.

(The CoW holds 28 gallons.)

THE PLAZA DINER

There's no question about where to go for coffee and grub come morning in Santa Fe.

The No-F---ing-Around breakfast

Their motto:  Eating well is the best revenge.

SANTA FE: THE PLAZA

At the very heart of Old Santa Fe is The Plaza.

Closed it down on a Friday night.

TALISMAN

Santa Fe shopping is splendorous.

Could have used a full day to peruse the art galleries and boutiques.

But had just enough time to find this amulet.  

Or it found me.

The Hamsa (or five) is the universal sign of protection from those who wish you harm.

This one (gold, silver, diamond chips) is particularly powerful.

SANTA FE STYLE

When you live in a place as brown as Santa Fe, color is important...

SANTA FE: SECRETO LOUNGE

The house specialty:  Smoked Sage Margarita.

"Republic Anejo Tequila with 03 Brazilian Orange Liqueur, lime juice, and sage smoked into the glass, with a hickory smoked salt rim."

The best smokin' you can do without a cigar.

THE ROAD TO SANTA FE

Durango does not cut it as a place to overnight.  (Though it offeres a fabulous lunch at Cypress Cafe, across from the haunted old Rochester Hotel.)

So onward we roll, to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

SILVERTON, COLORADO

An old mining town (silver, of course) on the San Juan Skyway.

Today, known for a train that comes up from Durango.  (But these days, little else.)  Their economy depends upon it.

THE SAN JUAN SKYWAY

OURAY, COLORADO

A very cute town on the San Juan Skyway.

Built by miners, and endures.

COMMENCING THE SAN JUAN SKYWAY

A 223 mile loop through the Rockies.

Thought to be one of the most scenic drives in the USA.

▶ John Denver-"Rocky Mountain High" - YouTube

It truly is a Rocky Mountain high.