Only a select few of my readers can recall the days when people would gather in a darkened living room or den to be regaled by their host in a darkened room with soporific details of his family’s recent vacation. The tool used would be the slide projector. Usually, there would be at least a couple of slides that were inadvertently placed upside down in the carousel, adding to the overall mania. I use the word, ‘mania’, with plenty of tongue-in-cheek, as such occasions were normally endured rather than enjoyed. In fact, the highlight of the event was in the leaving.

I trust similar feelings and reactions are not in the offing here as I present to you, my loyal readership, details from the Family Southwest Trip 2021.

1. Weatherford, TX: To Touch and Be Touched By The Love Of Family Again. And Buccees!!!

Still basking in the glow of our first meeting the previous year ( see https://roadtowonder.org/2020/09/13/in-my-fathers-house/), Laurie and I simply had to make it back and was it ever worth it. We couldn’t, therefore, think of a better way to launch what would eventually wind up being a nearly 3000-mile trip when it was completed in Las Vegas, NV.

Twilight in Weatherford, and without any filter enhancements I might add. It’s true what they say: everything really is bigger in Texas: the sky, the land, the love. If we weren’t so rooted in the Southeast, we just might have launched out here. One of my favorite saints, John of the Cross, once wrote: “God passes through the thicket of the world, and wherever His glance falls He turns all things to beauty. I think he must’ve had this view in mind.

Ooops!!! Hehehe!! I told you. This thing happens once in a while. Just a minute..

Our first encounter with Buc-ee’s (hereafter known as “Buccees!!!”) happened while were were driving west on I-20, outside of Terrell, TX. Like a mecca of everything that could possibly be bad for your health (except great gas prices), Buccees!!! stood impossibly huge outstanding on the Texas plains. Pristine and big bathrooms were only the beginning. Try their BBQ Brisket sandwich, but get the sliced brisket as the chopped version is awash in too much of the bbq sauce. Retail goods, collectibles, clothing, and the Beaver Bites are next to celestial bliss – sort of like Capt. Crunch cereal on steroids.

2. San Angelo, TX – The Lady in Blue, and the Best Cheeseburger and Onion Rings EVER!!!

Who was this fascinating Lady in Blue? According to some early 17th century documents, Sister Maria de Jesus de Agreda, a Franciscan nun who lived in Spain, was known as ‘the Lady in Blue’ by the Jumano Indians in Texas and New Mexico.

What makes her story exceptional is that she had the God-given ability to bilocate – to be in two places at once. Her visions described in great detail the living conditions of the Jumano people. In fact she used her ability to preach the Gospel to the indigenous folks there. She became very beloved of the Jumanos, and her efforts were instrumental in fostering the Catholic outreach in the San Angelo area.

As for the aforementioned cheeseburger and onion rings, they were procured from the Lonestar Cafe in San Angelo. I would have taken a pic of my Cowboy Ambrosia, but I devoured it in one fell swoop. Take my word for it; it positively transported me to realms of foodie ecstasy.

3. Carlsbad Caverns – Rugged, mysterious beauty lies deep within the earth.

Although we were traveling during the month of October, it was still fairly warm in the New Mexico desert. It was, therefore, a relief to get underground in the Caverns where the temp hovered around 45F. Sadly, Molly was not allowed to descend with us, but there were kennels available onsite. She was happy to know we got pics afterwards, however.

I think you get the idea. A person can only look at so many pics of a cave before the eyes start glazing over. It was at this time that verses from Psalm 139 came to mind: “Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence, where can I flee? If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, there you are.” Strangely, in places such as these caverns, I sense all the more God’s presence.

4. A Canine Interlude: Molly, The Best Little Travel Pup On The Planet

As is painfully, sweetly obvious, our dog, Molly, is pampered in a way that indicts us as the pamperers extraordinaire. On an extended trip like this, it was reasoned that our precious pooch sits more comfortably while lying on a pillow if she’s to be in the front. It is not without reason, therefore, that her docile presence on the lap is a fantastic sleep-inducer. It also helped us to overlook the fact that most of the 10 pieces of luggage we brought on the trip were dog-related.

   

5. Aliens And The Plausibility Of Other Life

Roswell, NM was a fascinating stop. And as expected, there were numerous curio shops devoted to otherworldly phenomena; that is, if the phenomena you are thinking about consists of tiny visitors from another planet. Ever since 1947, and even before, America has had a fascination with who or what may possibly be out there. And after going through the International UFO Museum & Research Center (pictured above), we got the distinct impression that the possibility of other life in the universe is treated with a very matter-of-fact attitude. Lots of reading was required as the exhibits told the story of the 1947 crash which put Roswell on the map. No breathless, wide-eyed reporting – the actual news reports of the day were replicated with accuracy, leaving it up to the viewer to decide.

My opinion? Informed by Psalm 19:2, for one: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of his hands.” If God has created sentient life on other planets, He has not overwhelmed our planet with the data. But in the words of an old Larry Norman song: “And if there’s life on other planets, then I’m sure that He must know. And He’s been there once already, and has died to save their souls.”

6. Santa Fe – Everything is adobe!!! And the streets are so narrow.

It was in Santa Fe that we had decided we had taken in all the adobe anyone could possibly have done. The lack of towering skyscrapers gives this town a homey, old town appeal, which seems to have been a philosophical intent of the town council from the beginning. And, as you can see, that beginning goes way back to 1646. And for a city with a 2021 population estimate of 88,193 people, you wouldn’t know it from even a casual drive around the precincts.

7. The Loretto Chapel

Also in Santa Fe, the fabled Loretto Chapel (read the astonishing story here of how the stairway was built: https://www.lorettochapel.com/our-story) remains as one of the spiritual highlights of our trip. I will point out that we were told by a tour guide that the handrails were built as an add-on long after the stairway was miraculously built. Can you imagine ascending that without the handrail?!?! But that’s exactly what the Sisters of Loretto did! We sat in a rear pew, our eyes brimming with tears as we silently worshipped in thankfulness for the incomprehensible ways in which God meets the needs of His people. All that while streams of tourists milled about the Sanctuary.

8. The Santuario de Guadalupe

I had a spectacular talent for photobombing my own pictures, and so I reveal to all of you that that is, in fact, my finger. I know you were all breathless, seized with fear and anxiety for my beloved wife and dog.

Laurie and I, both, also possessed an uncanny ability for showing up to see sites which happened to be closed at the precise time of our visit, and the Sanctuary was no different. Alas, we contented ourselves with outdoor perspectives. Still, it was, as you can see, a beautiful day and the Sanctuary was stunning in its gorgeous simplicity.

9. Los Alamos – Let’s Get Atomic!

Keep in mind, our trip took place in mid to late October, so depending on where we were, the clothing will be somewhat layered. At 7,320 feet, Los Alamos – 35 miles NW of of Santa Fe – was slightly chilly, but warming to a hospitable temp quickly.

Well, this trip, taken in 2021, was well before the current Oppenheimer flick, but it was a great photo op(penheimer) Hehehe! See what I did there? General Groves was the Project Manager of the Manhattan Project. I think most everyone knows Oppenheimer’s contribution to that project. Los Alamos, as a town, situated on a plateau in the middle of nowhere, population around 13,000, would be a nondescript place were it not for the presence of the Labs. A personal note: I learned from my uncle that my birth dad once worked at Los Alamos, and as part of the scientific crew(!) That without a college education.

10. Dog Interlude – On our way to Durango, CO!

11. Durango Days

Situated along the banks of the Animas River, Durango, CO has a free and easy vibe (now I sound like a travel guide!). We found it easy to navigate our way along the streets of this southwestern mountain town, which made it easy to envision returning there someday. Among the many sights to see, just a few blocks from where the above pic was taken is the venerable…

Built in 1887, the Strater Hotel exudes a truly western-themed, Victorian ambience. Laurie never went in; apparently she and Molly were laden with charm aplenty (they’re not???). So I ventured in, spoke to the desk clerk for a spell (there’s that western twang comin’ back), and enjoyed the respite of Old World opulence. The room rates – I discovered – were also packed with “ambience”, which was why we stayed at the La Quinta downriver.

12. Mesa Verde National Park

Roughly 40 miles west of Durango lies what has to be one of the least known National Parks, Mesa Verde. The Park itself is nearly 20 miles long and we were very motivated to get to Page, AZ, our intended stop for the night (more about Page in a bit), but we succumbed to the curiosity, and were glad we did.

Sadly, we didn’t have the time to go further in and see all of the amazing Cliff Dwellings, which is a great justification for going back someday. It was very cold that day, and the landscapes bore eloquent testimony of the Southwest magic of this region.

13. Page, AZ – Going Home And Reaching Back

Page, AZ; my hometown. So called, because I graduated high school there in 1975, in the days when we actually spent time talking to each other, and the Internet, cell phones, and digital streaming were either in their infancy, or you didn’t hear about them because they were a purely academic concern, and so none of it was ubiquitous as they are nowadays. I loved life, ignorant as I was; perhaps because I was. In any event, both my folks are buried there, and so a visit was essential on the way to the Grand Canyon.

Being a small town (5,000 in my heyday), Page was like being on eternal vacation. Oh, we all had our problems, but things were much simpler then. Yes, this is where your host waxes nostalgic, so take a deep breath and get yourselves another drink or something, because there’s more.

I could not have known in those days of my youth how gently God was arranging the patterns of my life so that when I was responding to what I believed to be mere earthly ephemera, I was, in fact, reaching for Him. St. John Henry Cardinal Newman had this to say about this subject from Volume 6 of his Plain and Parochial Sermons: “They are full of tender, affectionate thoughts towards those first years, but they do not know why. They think it is those very years which they yearn after, whereas it is the Presence of God which, as they now see, was then over them, which attracts them.” I can’t think of a better statement of how I conceive of my past, the ineffable, even magical way I still find myself being drawn toward the One who made me and gives me life.

14. Horseshoe Bend

About 5 miles SW of Page lies this beauty. We saw it only from the top of the gorge, not being able to access the river below. To say it is beautiful is to state something so self-evidential that it would stagger the comprehension, in my opinion, for anyone to think otherwise.

When beholding such natural wonder, it’s not difficult for a person’s thoughts to drift upward, to thoughts of a more rarified nature, even contemplation of something or someone Divine. St. Paul the Apostle had much to say about this. In his Epistle to the Romans, he wrote: “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made” (Rom.1:19-20).

Not to be outdone, St. Augustine, holding forth in his most artistic way, wrote in his Confessions: “Question the beauty of the earth, question the beauty of the sea, question the beauty of the air distending and diffusing itself, question the beauty of the sky…question these realities. All respond: See, we are beautiful. Their beauty is a profession[declaration]. These beauties are subject to change. Who made them if not the Beautiful One who is not subject to change?

To enter into a discourse, even if only with yourself over the grandeur such as I have shown through the meager channel at my disposal, is to begin a journey that is guaranteed to yield fruit – the fruit of intimacy with God, if persisted in.

15. The Grand Canyon

Until I saw it in person, I did not know this place. The sheer depth of field, the overwhelming panorama of Divine artistry was beyond description. All we could do for several minutes was stand in mute wonder. And isn’t that why we continue to seek out such magnificence? It’s good to feel insignificant now and then.

15. Sedona, AZ

Sedona was were my maternal grandparents lived for the duration of my childhood and where they are both buried. My fascination with what used to be a quaint Arizona town will remain with me for the rest of my life. The Chapel of the Holy Cross used to be in a remote area south of town, but now is enveloped by the surrounding community. Many were the times, during a nocturnal ride down highway 179 with my mom and dad, I would see the faint lights of the Chapel (built form 1954-56), beckoning to me out of the darkness. Today, droves of tourist roam the grounds. Still, it was so much like visiting an old friend.

16. Vegas

You might expect that a church would be found in downtown Vegas. Or would you? If you did, you’d be right. St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church is just a chip’s throw from the 4 Queens and The Golden Nugget Casinos. I don’t know if it’s still true, but the last time I knew (30 years ago), there were more churches per capita in Las Vegas than any other city it’s size. Of course, it’s tripled in size since I lived there, but any way you slice it, that’s a lot of Hail Marys, or whatever prayer you happen to be offering at the time.

Being at Mass on that Sunday morning, we saw all sorts of people – waitresses, bellmen, dealers, maintenance, and even tourists like us. Who knew what went on in the sanctum of everyone’s spirit that day? Whatever predominated – and I hope everyone was intent on worship – we were all alike and together. It reminded me then of the parable of the fish in the net that Jesus told in Matthew 13: 47-50:  “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. ⁴⁸ When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. ⁴⁹ That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, ⁵⁰ throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”.

That’s all we were – fish of every kind. I was also reminded to not attempt to sort other people out; that’s God’s job, and He’s the only one qualified to do it.

Epilogue #1 Halloween

This was the terminus of our Southwest Trip, and what else needs to be achieved here? We went to Vegas, not for a show, for wealth, for anything else but for the giving and receiving of love. We were also reminded of what a blessing it is to be grandparents, and to not excoriate ourselves for indulging said youngsters. Also, there’s no shame in letting Eli’s mom chase after him while he’s using the restaurant benches for playground equipment (poor Essy).

Epilogue #2 – Walking @ The Venetian

Plenty of walking was done; many desserts were enjoyed, and many gambling ops were avoided (I think). Paradoxically, amid the opulent decadence that is Vegas, I’ve always been able to see a certain charm beneath it all. After 17 years taking in that ambience, you’d better find a way to process your surroundings that doesn’t include losing your livelihood or your integrity. And despite the fact that, over the ensuing years since I left the area for good (1993), I find many a memory of good times and good people. I’ve done a lot of counting since those days; not counting as in my winnings, but my blessings. With time and the everlasting embrace of God’s grace, I, discovered how true and good the Lord is. I’ll close with some wisdom from the Psalms:

Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart (Psalm 90:12)