Backtrack to 3.28.2014 Eloy, AZ to Van Horn, TX

Day 2

Flickr photo album
My blog post here

X is for Cattle X-ing, Deming, NM

Anne M Bray, X is for Cattle X-ing, Deming, NM, 

Digital painting printed on various substrates in various sizes, ©2015 

X was a bit of a stretch in the A to Z Challenge. I fudged it a little here.

The location itself is interesting. It's en route to Rock Hound State Park, outside of Deming, NM. One is allowed to collect rock specimens there (hence the name), which is unusual for a state park. Enshrouded by the fog are the Little Florida Mountains, a major landmark as you drive I-10 between Deming and Las Cruces.

L is for Little Nellie's in Las Cruces

Anne M Bray, L is for Little Nellie's in Las Cruces, NM, 

Digital painting printed on various substrates in various sizes, ©2015 

Oh Little Nellie's in Las Cruces, NM. I discovered you by accident (it was the flags) on my first post-marital solo expedition in December of 1993. You had [have?] the BEST chile rellenos, huevos rancheros, and NM green chile salsa. I would get a big "go cup" of the salsa, recant it into a glass Mason jar, and nurse it in my cooler for the remainder of my trip. I did this for YEARS! You are the reason I "had" to take I-10 in at least one direction every road trip, and I drove across the US a lot in the 90s.

This is your old location at  939 N. Main Street in Las Cruces.

I don't remember when you relocated to Amador Street, but I managed to track you there.
Then there was the year (2000?) that I pulled into the parking lot and there was a different name on the building. It was not the same. AAAAARGH! So many miles thinking about your salsa to be denied. NOOOOOO!

All along, you've had a second (now your only) location called Nellie's Cafe at 1226 W Hadley. At least I HOPE it's an iteration. The photos on Yelp look the same. It's your hours, Tu-Sat, 8am-2pm, that are the bane of my existence. I can't seem to get my timing synced. Some day... please don't retire until I have at least one more taste of your salsa!

Can you tell that I'm very passionate about NM green chiles? They cause that, it's the endorphins they release when eaten. Now I'm hungry. Sigh.

E is for El Don Motel in Albuquerque, NM

Anne M Bray, E is for El Don Motel in Albuquerque, NM,

Digital painting printed on various substrates in various sizes, ©2015

The El Don is on old Route 66 in Albuquerque. It's still in operation, I think.
Yelp at least has the address and a phone number listed.

C is for Chope's, La Mesa, NM

[Bonus C]

Anne M Bray, C is for Chope's La Mesa, NM, 

Digital painting printed on various substrates in various sizes, ©2015 

Chope's Bar is easily seen from NM Highway 28. Chope's Cafe is a bit harder to find. Once you eat there, you will not forget it! The problem is the afternoon siesta that is taken by the staff. Chope's is open for lunch and dinner, but not in-between.
Link to Yelp.

Road Trip Recap Day 2: Eloy AZ to Van Horn TX

I-10, Western TX, digital painting, ©2014 

Day 2.
I set out at sunrise, heading southeast on I-10.

near Picacho, AZ

I didn't have a plan for breakfast. Thankfully the Tucson exit for Congress Street reminded me of the Hotel Congress, which has a great cafe, The Cup Cafe.

This plate of huevos rancheros fortified me for the day. 

When I hit New Mexico, the excessive billboards started for the souvenir emporiums.

I stopped at several, searching for postcards to mail for my crowdfunding rewards.

Instead, I found this very creepy stuffed cat.

With Texas came the very close encounter with the Mexican border.
The view of Cuidad Juarez from I-10, which I first saw in 1993, was one inspiration for the On the Edge project.

Waterlogue version here.

I managed to hit rush hour in El Paso, then hightailed it across western Texas.
My reward at the end of the day was a chile relleno burrito at Chuy's in Van Horn, TX.

Plus a large go-cup of salsa, for the road.

See more photos, here in my Flickr.