5/17/12 Lunch at the Wortley

We're well off of Route 66, and we're happy you're still here with us following our adventure.  Thanks to everyone for sharing the road, and we encourage your comments.


After a great night's sleep, we relaxed around the beautiful home that Matt and Becky designed and built years ago and raised their girls.  Matt suddenly took ill ten years ago, and though his body passed away, his spirit lives on in this home and in his family.  Alena said goodbye this morning to return to Texas Tech in Lubbock where she graduates this weekend from nursing school (congratulations to you and Happy Birthday!), and Becky, Alexa, Caitlin, and I strolled around Old Lincoln (geocaching at the Torreon) and sat on the front porch at the Wortley where we had a lively lunch with Becky's friends, Susan, husband Leif, Lisa, Elaine, and Dee.  We visited the old courthouse (with a 10 cent overview by Bennie) where William Bonney (aka Billy the Kid) escaped from capture during the Lincoln County War.  Which had nothing to do with Indians or property rights, but rather commerce.  We also visited the McSween-Tunstell store (one faction of the War), that is intact to its 1880s era, meeting site staffers Murray and Ira.

Lunch at the Wortley with the Lincoln ladies (and Leif)

McSween-Tunstell Store

We visited Susan and Leif's beautiful home and Susan's studio.  Susan is a very creative person, and Lisa was helping in her studio while Elaine is learning/mastering the wheel.  Susan is currently working on a commissioned piece for a memorial, and we were honored to see the work in progress.  The view from their front porch is of the enchanting New Mexican landscape.  Back at Becky's homestead, we toured her lovely cottage (Lincolnworks) that she is now renting.  Anyone wishing to visit Lincoln, please visit www.lincolnworksnm.com.

Alexa and Becky relaxin'!

Relaxing on Becky's patio, we played with the puppy (no name as yet) who is a mix of a French Boxer and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (think Lady and the Tramp), and discussed tomorrow's destination.  Caitlin and I thought we'd go back the same way, detouring for a short visit to the Very Large Array, but Becky and Alexa strongly encouraged us to visit Santa Fe.  They won out.  We walked back to search for a geocache that Alexa and Becky had both searched for but couldn't find.  We went off the beaten path behind the historic buildings and located the cache adding Jeff Lee's Billy the Kid flip book into it.  Jeff, you're on the road with us!

We then traveled east into tiny Tinnie to the Silver Dollar restaurant for a steak dinner.  Quite an interesting place that's for sale - anyone want to buy this cool building filled with stained glass and wonderful artwork?  After dinner, during dusk, on the way back to Lincoln we made a quick stop to the Iris Farm in Hondo, and although they were closed, the master gardener let us in for a couple minutes to stroll.  Becky and I both decided to return first thing tomorrow morning to see it.  It's been a perfect visit to Lincoln; perfect weather, and perfect hosts.  Everyone should visit this town that time stopped still.

Happy Trails, S