On Thursday morning, Linda and I got around and packed all our stuff into the truck in preparation for leaving Red River, New Mexico, for Colorado. We were heading back up to Ft. Garland, then from there east over to the Highway of the Legends (I can't say enough about how beautiful this highway is) which takes you to La Veta, Colorado, on its way to Trinidad. But first we again stopped in at the Old Tymer's Cafe for breakfast. It was a cool 37 degrees and looked to be another beautiful day.
While eating our breakfast, I noticed another couple across the aisle. They appeared to be about our age and seemed to be friendly, so I made eye contact with the man and soon we were all talking like old friends. They were from New Mexico and it was their practice to come up through Red River every year on their way to Colorado for a vacation in the fall. Both were retired teachers, and the man told us he farmed a little. We discussed different vacation sites around the country and grandchildren and most of the usual stuff and, before long, it was time for us to move on. Linda had sat there long enough and drank enough coffee that I felt it was safe to drive with her -- just kidding; she is always a trooper and the best of travel companions.
We headed north back up the way we had driven the day before. I will say it isn't the most scenic route for much of the way to Ft. Garland because it is open plains, but the mountains are all around you in the distance. We passed a sign that said, Great Sand Dune National Park, off to the west. I'm sure that would be interesting, but we were aiming to make good time and kept on our northern route.
There are some interesting signs along this highway. For instance, there are signs that say, "Caution, Horse Crossing." A few miles further along there is a sign that says, "Caution, Cattle Crossing." Then a little further along is a sign that says, "Caution, Elk Crossing." My first thought was, "I wonder why they can't get together and make one big crossing?" I was reminded of the story of the lady who called into the talk radio show to complain about the deer crossing in her area.
The host said, "Yes Ma'am, how can I help you this morning?"
"I have a complaint and I don't know what to do with it," she said.
"Well, just tell me what's on your mind, and I'll see if I can help you."
"I've already contacted my local highway officials and they couldn't help me. I have also called the local game warden and he said there was nothing he could do for me."
"OK, now you have my curiosity aroused. What is the nature of your problem, ma'am?"
"Well, you see, there is a four-lane highway I have to take to get my children to school. And let me tell you, this is a very busy highway in the morning with so many people headed to work and to school. It is bumper-to-bumper out there on that particular stretch of highway and would you know it? Right in the middle of the busiest four-lane in the entire county they put up a stupid deer-crossing sign!"
The caller sounded really exasperated. She seemed to be at her wits end.
The talk show host spoke up, "OK, I'm trying to understand your problem here. What exactly is your complaint?"
"I don't understand why they have to make a deer crossing at the very busiest point in the entire highway! Why can't they put it somewhere less busy? You know, maybe put it on a two-lane highway further away from all the traffic? It just seems to me that putting a deer crossing sign on a busy four-lane highway is asking for trouble. I have seen two dead deer in the vicinity of that sign in the last few weeks. Why can't someone do something about this?"
"Yeah," the talk show host said, "I think I'm beginning to see the problem here. Uh, just so I understand you correctly, you want them to move the deer crossing sign to a less busy road so the deer will cross at a less busy area and make the four-lane you're referring to more safe. Is that what you are saying?"
"Yes," the caller said, "I think they need to move the sign away from that dangerous stretch of highway and keep both the deer and commuters safe."
"And you think the deer will read the new sign and will start crossing at a safer place?"
"Yes."
"Okay, folks, there you have it, and now we need to go to a commercial break and, when we come back, we have Pete Rose on to explain why he should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame."
Needless to say, Linda and I made our way down to La Veta, where we enjoyed ourselves immensely. We then drove down to Trinidad and on south to Raton and from there back east. We stopped for the night in Enid, Oklahoma, where we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Wagg's Bar B Q. The weather was fantastic the entire trip and I am raring to go again. This time, I think we will head up to Ohio where our youngest daughter just had her fourth child, a girl, which gives us an even 20 grandchildren (14 granddaughters and 6 grandsons). We are truly blessed.
Sam Byrnes is a Gentry-area resident and weekly contributor to the Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 11/09/2016