My Southwest Trip - Outland

Saturday, April 23

Georgia drives me to Bradley after we both get up at 3:30 a.m. to make the 6 something flight.  Suzi saw my pack straps the night before and checked online for how they should be secured.  She tied and snapped 'em together which I never thought about. Thank you, Suzi!

We head out and the flight to Dallas is uneventful but I can only doze.  I make it to the next gate, catch a small plane to land at the Santa Fe airport.  A backpack on my back and on my front, I'm hauling my duffle and hoping I don't have too far to carry.  Outside, I wait for Indygo from Outland who has agreed to give me a ride.  I've seen her picture and I know she's in a big, old black Suburban. 

There are a few people waiting for rides who come and go.  Finally, I see the Suburban and a woman looking my way as she drives.  We wave, hug, and put my packs in the back.  She says she didn't know you could fly into Santa Fe.

We head for a grocery store because I'm supposed to bring all my own food and be self-sustaining.  As we wander separately, I start to crash hard from little sleep aggravated by a pounding headache - maybe altitude sickness.  Back in the Chevy, I'm pretty much good for nothing and try to stay awake and will my headache away as I drink water.

Indygo points out places of interest.  Storied Apache Mountain

with a number of tales associated with it, not the least of which is that Apaches held settlers at bay on the ridge. . . the choice being to come down and be killed or starve on the ridge.  Soldiers then retaliated by following the Indians they thought did the killing but instead, massacred a different village.  And we are the higher animals.

The route to Outland itself is a story. Grandmother Tree, the largest tree around, with heavy limbs dropped on the ground.  The dry, rocky river bed that could flood in a hard rain, has a few faded white marks designating a trail of sorts to follow with a car.  The snaking, red clay arroyos that suck dirt from the road making it more
narrow.  The four gates that Indygo gets out and opens and closes, each with their unique lock.   The cow-grate at the first gate which cattle won't cross.

We get to the land by late afternoon.  Indygo lets me fall on her bed at Mi Casa for a nap while she shows Kathy, a potential construction volunteer, around the place.  Nap for two or three hours.  Feel more human.  Heat some soup.  Indygo visits Ruby, another woman staying at Outland.  When she's back Indygo says I can stay at Mi Casa with her overnight.  It's a duplex with shared living between the two bedrooms.   Tomorrow I can check out a smaller house I want for the week.  I am so grateful to just crash back on that comfortable bed and not have to deal with anything other than sleep.