Purple boots and pasta

Purple boots on display at a shop in Madrid, NM.

Due to sluggish physical states, we have not had as many adventures as in some visits to Santa Fe.  But we did return to Madrid, proud of its past as the setting for scenes in "Wild Hogs," and minor arts and retail mecca.  Our waitress for lunch at the Mine Shaft is from West Springfield, Mass., by way of Jackson Hole.

Cowboy hats for sale.

Mark says, "Howdy, ma'am."

Typical Madrid residence.

Pasta with shrimp, prepared by Chef Marco, chez nous.

We've dined in for dinner, going so far as to cancel our wine pairings dinner reservation because they jacked up the price.  Tonight we'll go out, but not for a Wine and Chile Fiesta-sanctioned meal event. We're off to Bandelier National Monument for walking in a moment.

On our last hike, we were caught in rain--and thunder, but no lightning, fortunately--and got drenched after taking a wrong turn on the Dale Ball Trail System, close to the city center but affording dramatic views of the valley off to the Sandia Mountains.

Tomorrow morning, free tickets via the Smithsonian's "Museum Day" will provide us with admission to the New Mexico Natural History and Science Museum.  Then we'll go to the official Wine and Chile Fiesta Grand Tasting at the Opera complex.

Adios for now.