Well, I thought leaving the East coast in March and heading down to New Mexico and Arizona would yield some sort of sunnier, warmer, more arid result, but of course I dropped in just in time for lows 20 degrees below average, wind and hailstorms. That’s my luck when I travel — which is why you’re glad not to be with me. Right?

I made my annual stop in Santa Rosa, New Mexico to see The Blue Hole again. I also got a bangin’ breakfast scramble at a nearby café that had a great wifi connection to borrow for work. I literally got to watch the sun rise while on a video call and then went for a dip in the blue hole. It’s always chilly but I’m always grateful to do it. It’s like the baptism of “Welcome to the West!”

I kept it rolling and was able to hit my goalpost of having a Sonoran hot dog right away. Oh my God they look so gross but I LOVE THEM. I want to eat them with a knife and a fork every time. I was huddled in the back of my car eating this like a gremlin.

I stayed at a friend’s house in Albuquerque and worked, ate, and watched a ton of Severance over while yelling at the TV. It was perfect. We stopped at a birria taco truck and also got this local Chimney cake ice cream thing which really sucked! It tasted like ashes lmao.

The weather was such trash. The photos look sunny and lovely but springtime is wind season in ol’ ABQ. It was windy and cool, and at night it was about 30F. I was cavalier sleeping in my down blanket but it was pretty harsh. One night it stormed so bad a ton of leaves blew into my car through the 1/2″ slot I leave my front window open under the window guard.

On a friend’s recommendation, we stopped at Old Town Albuquerque at the Flying Roadrunner bakery and got a bunch of things, which were sooooooo good.But also, since when does it cost $9 for a croissant??

We drove up to Jemez and I stopped on the side of the road to buy a giant bag of oranges which we later squeezed for juice (after I ate 7 oranges lmao). They were SO GOOD. I also regrettably bought a 15lb bag of pinto beans which is now living in my car.

We caught ONE nice day of weather up in the Jemez wilderness, and used it to hike up to Spence hot springs. I wish you could smell these photos. It was honestly perfect. A bit windy and chilly but nothing like the day prior.

Then all there was to do was lay in this warm water for a while.

A few more photos —

And here’s a shot of the weather in Jemez Springs the following day —

From there, my homie and I caravaned down to Truth or Consequences in search of warmer weather and less wind. We did NOT get it. It was dusty and windy and freezing and I felt like I was driving through Arrakis in Dune at many parts. No worms but I did another bucket list item of getting some green chile stew and it was SO GOOD. I cannot wait to come home and try making it. I fucking love getting food and then figuring out how to make it at home. It was really great but I want to try it after immersion blending the shit out of the potato chunks, don’t @ me.

Another night, another Sonoran hot dog and some churros.

We overnighted at a boondocking spot and caught a rainbow when we woke up because it was pouring all night lol.

Then, we continued to Tucson and hit up Saguaro National Park, the East side. There’s a cute drive-through path there that takes about 45 minutes to complete which we did. I ended up with minimal spines stuck in me from tromping about. It was raining on and off and then decided to clear up while we were in the park.

I remember the first time I saw Saguaro cactuses that I was greatly surprised at how tall they actually are. Cartoons had led me to believe they were about as tall as a person, when in reality they are often several stories high.

I thank goodness I have an iron gut because we went for a 3rd hot dog and a bunch of other garbage. I don’t have iron hands unfortunately and after lovingly caressing a cactus had to be thankful that my friend had a tweezer handy.

After a lack of success getting into the second state park we visited that day, we went to Honey Bee Canyon park, which was a really great find. There’s a loop path there where you can walk about and see a ton of cacti.

It was neat seeing all the pears all the cacti made. And there’s a dam there you can walk through out to a wide wash.

It was a beautiful day by then, mid 60s with great mountain views and minimal clouds.

I was really glad for this visit! And it’s not often I have a hiking partner. I wish we could have romped around here all day.

But, I kept it moving, and made it to Phoenix for the evening, just before the closing of a BoSa donuts. The girl working there was clearly worried at me ordering nearly day-old donuts and advised I come back tomorrow morning for some fresh cakes as they throw them all out. Little did she know I am disgusting and obsessed with eating. And, leaving Phoenix. So, I ate their devil’s food coconut that very evening. It was good?! But I feel so sad imagining all these donuts getting chucked in the trash after I left.

I’m fucking tired. This was a shitload of driving. I just want to take a nap. But I keep on trucking, and working, and am staying with some friends I get to cook for every night now! So, maybe I’ll get to sleep in May 🥲

<3