Robson's Farm: The Land of Enchantment

My birthday happens to fall at the beginning of busy and the end of sleeping in on Saturdays as the farming season gears up. Before March 17th there's been some seeding but not a ton since we don't do any indoor growing. The work is still enough to where "to do" lists actually get done.

Gratifying.

Basically it is the last possible chance I had for a little get away.

Two years I ago I road tripped through New Mexico on my way from Phoenix, Arizona to Austin, Texas and I felt like I needed more time there.

Their licence plate slogan is the "land of enchantment" which I think is right on.

It's striking and vast.

It's where a beautiful blend of Native, Hispanic, and Anglo ways merge to create culture, culture, culture!

Strangely enough I think the highlight of my trip was stumbling a upon a flea market in Albuquerque and getting fruita picada (chopped fruit with chamoy, taji, lime and valentina hot sauce) and totally shocking the girl making it by speaking to her in Spanish. Why was that the highlight...well it was real. Real people doing what they do on a Sunday...gathering at the market to shop, catch up, and listen to music.

Fruita Picada

I'm not into tourist type experiences and avoiding "tourist type experiences" in Santa Fe takes quite a bit of research and talking to people (like the guy working in Trader Joe's who I cornered until he divulged the best place to get real tacos).

Speaking of NEW Mexican food (it's not Mexican food...different thing! and people in New Mexico will correct you!) I seized the opportunity to eat New Mexican Hatch Chiles at pretty much every meal.

Since my trip two years ago we have been growing Chiles (but we never call them "Hatch Chiles" as we are not in Hatch, NM) and they are loved be military folks who have been stationed in NM, anyone who has visited NM and occasionally I can persuade my fellow, less traveled New Jersian to try them. But seriously you should try them because they are so damn good. There's a reason why they're the pride of an entire state!

And yes, I went to Meow Wolf. It's the world's most popular art exhibit. The line to get in was literally INSANE. And why was it insane...well it was spring break in Texas. Fun fact for you...every single person in Texas (and I mean every single one...no man left behind!) goes to New Mexico for spring break. Who knew? It took almost 2 hours to make it in. Meow Wolf is wild and should be experienced. It's art re-imagined. Everything is meant to be touched. What could be further from a classic art exhibit experience?

I also stopped at a Pistachio Farm which was fascinating. The MOST fascinating thing about the pistachio tree, to me at least, is that it doesn't reach full production until 20-25 years! Holy cow!!!! But you'll start getting some nuts at around 8 years. And these trees may be slow starters but can live up to 300 years. How incredible is that. McGinn's Pistachio farm was beautiful and had a super eye catching giant pistachio you could see from a distance. And even though they are literally in the middle of no where! They still had a constant crowd. Admirable!

From pistachio's I trekked to White Sands which was definitely really neat! It was a weird day in that when I visited it was heavy on again off again rain storms so my trip was brief but still definitely worth stopping!

Taos....I was so ready to channel the spirit of the late great Georgia O'keefe. Sadly though everything I wanted to see was "closed" but opened Monday....but I did stop to make friends with these horses.

In addition to the flea market, the other highlight of the trip is that I did all of the things I desperately want to do regularly at home but have a hard time doing with only a 24 hour day. I worked out 4 days and went hiking the rest. I ate breakfast. I watched an entire movie. I slept until 7 AM. I got completely caught up on all wedding quotes and emails.

Glorious!

To me vacation is the prime time to work out, catch up and nourish myself.

Most importantly, post trip I feel recharged. I feel inspired.

And my final take away from the trip....

Sometimes (many times) it takes a trip to anywhere, in this case the "land of enchantment" to make home feel enchanting.

I'm ready for you Farm Season 2019!