Travel Treasures


Fruit stand 3, originally uploaded by ivoryblushroses.

One of the things I love about traveling, is that each trip reveals a new treasure, something that will be carried in the memory like a precious jewel. Sometimes, it is the expected thing, like having the whole family around, or a planned event such as attending the Scottish Festival. This trip to Colorado certainly held many such treasures for me.
Fruit stand 2
But occasionally, something unexpected captures one's fancy. On the way home from Colorado, I left the interstate behind just south of Raton, NM and traveled through Cimarron, up over the mountains to Taos and down the Rio Grande River Gorge to Santa Fe, simply to see some different scenery. While the mileage is nearly the same, perhaps even shorter, it is a much slower route. I enjoyed seeing the large pronghorn antelope on the prairie outside of Cimarron, glorious views of Mt Wheeler (the highest point in NM) , as well as the quaint architecture and lovely gardens of homes outside of Taos. I decided to skirt around Taos completely as I was quite tired by this point and beginning to wish I was a bit closer to home. The Rio Grand River Gorge between Taos and Santa Fe was as stunning as I recalled from a previous visit. An open black rift in a broad flat sagebrush plain. But the thing that made me stop was this colorful fruit stand between Taos and Espanola.
Drying flowers and Chiles
Sopyn's Fruit Stand is painted gaily in red, green and white. Colorful ristras of drying chilies hang from the eve along with colorful bunches of drying statice and other flowers. Baskets of tomatoes, apples, squash and cucumbers filled the benches. A hint of autumn coming shows in the pumpkins and gourds sitting in front.
Fruit stand 1
I actually drove past the stand for several miles and then turned around and drove back to it! I'm so glad I did! What a treasure this Fruit Stand will be in my memories! And tonight, my dinner will be buckwheat pasta topped with lovely tomatoes from this farm stand!

As today is September 11, I would be remiss not to note that it is also my sister's birthday! Happy Birthday Holly!
My sister!
On this day that holds so many tragic memories for people, I am reminded of two passages of scripture.

Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."

Romans 8:38, 39
"For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Blessings to all!

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