Day 112

Oddfellows and Oddgals,

What the heck is the hold-up?  Why the delay?  Well..... after arriving back in Ruidoso, we jumped right into finding a place to live.  Yep, the rumors are true.  The relationship road test was a success.  S. only had to leave R. by the road once -- near Wakita; he was a bad boy.... okay that's not true (the dropping off part anyway) but it is a miracle that she endured his particular brand of madness.  So, they are looking for a place to call "home" instead of whatever motel they might find in some little American burg.  The delay for the final Oddasee wrap up has been directly related to that quest and the resultant joy of schlepping boxes/stuff into the new abode.

Susan:  Well, that "kicked to the curb" can work both ways, you know.  In reality, the 3+ months in the car with Rodney have been easy...except for the occasional cross-communication, laughing every day and talking has been great.  I could go again tomorrow...we only got to about 1/3 of the country and none of the traditional museums.  And the R. brand of madness...if that's madness, bring on more!

Now for Oddasee Day 112:  Imagine yourself a week back in time to Saturday August 7th as we left Taos in the old rearview mirror for a lunch meeting with friends in Santa Fe. Along the way we came upon an Oddasee site that R. had to confess he has passed by on past ventures to northern NM; he is duly ashamed.  There by the side of the winding highway near Embudo sits "Classical Gas - The Gas Station Museum".

     This place really is a blast from the past. Some of the artifacts even pre-date your weary road warriors. There were many signs and the expected gas pumps from various eras of American petroleum meccas. Some of the fun was seeing signage advertising products and companies we had never even heard of or seen. Inevitably, there were flashbacks to the times when gas was less than a dollar a gallon. We were also reminded of how back in "the good old days" the automobile was much more special, unique and stylish.

     Outside we saw one of the museum's highway treasures -- a portable diner.  They were sold in the mid 50's with the intent of placing them near busy rural highways for the adventurous entrepreneurs.  It looked far from portable but the interior was amazing with most of the diner accoutrements fully intact... including the 8 red stools at the counter.  Way cool man!  In addition to the acres worth of various objects d'gas, there was a building filled to the brim with more fragile treats like neon signs, gas pump globes, oil cans and related ephemera. It was a gas! 

Our unexpected Oddasee museum discovery caused us to be a bit tardy for our lunch date.... welcome back to "New Mexico manana-no-problemo-what's the rush" Land of Enchantment.  And then came the big moment..... Ahhh, REAL green chile at last at the Plaza Cafe Southside (offshoot of downtown's Plaza Cafe).  Mmm-mmm!  R's tears of joy were equaled by the tears brought on by the fiery jalapeno green nectar of the Gods; life is good.   

Love and Christmas (that's smothered half green and half red chile for you non-NM types),

Rodrigo and Susanita

Days 110 & 111

Yo Oddsterellas and Oddsterinos,

A few days in Pueblo with friends was all about food, laughter, walks at sundown and talks late into the night. Even in such circumstances, our road spirits were not sated. It will take time for us to get back to "normal".  We were craving some eye nourishment and soul rejuvenation.  This reminded us that Oddasee is not a plan but rather an attitude. It is not only about looking on the internet or going to the library for ideas but seeing what may be but a few steps away. 

We stopped and pondered what has fit our criteria for this journey.... Hmmm?  The hope is to seek out and find beyond the norm, unusual, out of the ordinary, quirky, curious and just plain odd.  Then it hit R. like a sign from above >>>>> The Colorado State Fair Art Exhibit.  As some of you might remember, R. served as the director for 4 or 5 years at the fair's annual art exhibition.  He knows well what a truly unique and wacky world this particular art show presentation is every single year.  Fortunately, we know the current director, Bonnie Mihelich; after all, we're staying at her house.  This meant we could get a sneak peek at this year's selections.

 

"Gee"..... R. wonders, "How many art shows and exhibitions have I seen?"  Then there's the museums, galleries and fairs; the numbers grow.  He has curated in the range of over 300 exhibitions and judged/juried around 100 (not including numerous Tattoo competitions).  The art openings I have attended..... oy!  In a life filled with many art images and memories, few, if any, rival the eclectic work to be found at the Colorado State Fair!   

To add to the fun, we get it see the show before it's organized and hung.  For those of you who have not attended this yearly event, picture a building that served as a animal barn and display venue.  As, Mary, our Fonthill Castle guide would say, "We call this barn.... a b-a-r-n."  Over the years the space has been converted and updated with virtually no budget.  The space that is now the "professional' area previously served as cop shop and holding cell for Fair ne'er-do-wells.  Let's just say this space is not the Guggenheim or the Getty.  Now imagine seeing hundreds of pieces stacked (safely I may add) along walls and on tabletops.  Seeing the juxtaposing images side by side before they have been organized and displayed in aesthetic and logical groups adds to their "Oddaseeness".  Keep in mind, we saw only those which had been juried into the show and were a bit disappointed not to have gotten to see the entire plethora of artful entries.  Also be sure to see if you can spot one of R's favorite vision quests -- the accidental porn.  Yep, seems every year one entrant manages to create something of, shall we say, unintended double meaning.......

The word "eclectic" just does not suffice.  The range of skill levels, techniques and styles is truly amazing.  There is no exhibition in Colorado that comes close to displaying such a wide variety.  You may also be surprised at the high quality of art on display in both categories (Professional and Emerging).  There are some real bargains to be had; we made a great purchase for our soon to be newfound home.  It really is amusing to see pieces of such opposing messages and theme sitting next to each other in a cacophony of art materials. Simply put... A MUST SEE!

Note:  Susan has never attended the state fair art exhibitions in any of the states in which she has lived -- Indiana, California, Wyoming, Montana, Florida -- but I'll bet you will find an exciting mix of skills, techniques, and subject matter there. Some years there may even be a few art quilts in the Fine Arts section rather than the Handicrafts.  For those of you who enjoy the fair, let us know what you find.  It was a real education for me...and many pieces are very affordable.  It continues to astonish me how creative so many people truly are.  

So remember, if you truly possess an Oddasee soul, it's not always about driving far away to see a farm field of steel sculptures or a room full of dummies.  Such wonders can been seen in your own backyard if you look beyond the obvious.  Just put on your kookiest hat or t-shirt (R. now has one from the Glore Museum of Psychiatry and the Cockroach Hall of Fame -- both real conversation starters) and see what you can find.  If you're within striking distance, check out the Colorado State Fair art exhibition.

Note: Don't miss the small animals area too. There you will find some truly weird Dr. Seuss-like chickens and bunnies the friggin' size of small Siberian Huskies.

Quirky arty love,

Rodney and Susan 

ps.Note: The Colo. State Fair art show opening reception is Thursday August 26th and the fair itself runs from Aug. 27 - Sept 6.

Day 109

Oddaseekers,

As we stay true to our mission, we once again find ourselves in the backyard of many of you Colorado Oddasee followers -- Bishop's Castle in Wetmore, the Prison Museum in Canon City and the Tower Museum in Genoa. Another appropriate site is one that some of you have passed by for years....... The May Natural History Museum just south of Colorado Springs on Highway 115 toward Florence. You know the spot..... That giant beetle up on a hill. 

1. The May Museum:  This little museum is small in scale and focused on small critters but is certainly big in scope.  Mr. May was more than just a little "buggie".  His collection is vast and represents a lifetime of obsession.  The insects on display are far more impressive than those at the Insectarium in Philadelphia or the City Museum in St. Louis.  There are thousands of butterflies, moths, beetles, millipedes, scorpions (some are 9" long), centipedes and spiders (Susan's fave).  Some of these creepy crawlies are unsettlingly huge -- "Eww! Geez, what the hell is that?  Holy Mother of all that is sacred, please tell me that friggin' thing doesn't live in our town!"  The shivers of spider hairs was equaled by the beauty of the butterflies. We recommend a visit for young and old. 

Note: one of the most dangerous critters, the Brown Recluse, is so unimpressive in appearance and size that it's hard to believe it's such a terrorizer. 

2. As part of our admission fee to the May Bug Museum, we could also go to the "Space Museum" a short walk across the adjacent field/parking lot.  We figured, "Why not?". Well as we trekked onward with our eyes now paranoid at what might be lingering in every tree or under every rock, we were greeted by a highly professional sign that guided us to the "museum".  Okay, our expectations were low but they were not low enough.  This sad little snoozer is not much more than news articles, photographs and models.  Even if we were not such "seasoned museum rats", this was pathetic. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.  We were completely understruck. 

Note: Our home is not far from the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo.  R. has been there and S. has not but if she can be convinced after this bad example, hopefully this will be a destination in the future. The last pic is from the NM museum not the 8th grade science project found near the May Museum.  

Love and arachnophobia,

Rodipede and Little Miss Muffet Susan -- (BTW - What the heck is a tuffet?)