sufficient

Luther on schools

"I am of the opinion that the government is obligated to compel its citizenry to send their children to school. If a government can compel its citizens to bear spear and gun, to run about on the city wall and to assume other duties when it desires to carry on war, how much more can and should the government compel its citizens to keep their children at school."

Labels: education

posted by CP @ 4:43 PM 2 thoughts

coulda been me

Yesterday, as I was making some food for a birthday party, I heard a knock on the door. When I opened it, I found Carley Gordon, Channel 4 News standing on the porch. She briefly summarized the burglaries that have occurred in East Nashville in the last 2 weeks and asked me if I would be willing to be interviewed for a minute or two as to my reactions and concern.

No thanks.

But it will really only take a minute.

Really, no. Don't have time, haven't showered, not actually all that concerned about it. Maybe I'm really naive in that, but if you take my TV, you take my TV. It's just a TV. There's really nothing else worth taking. I'm probably not your best target for a soundbyte, lady. Go ask Jerry next door.

Not to mention the local news' penchant for making those it interviews look ridiculous, no matter what they say.

Anyway, the guy in this video could've been me.

posted by CP @ 1:29 PM 0 thoughts

such a fine sight to see

Monday morning, we left Grants, NM headed to Flagstaff. First stop on the way: Petrified Forest National Park. The first time I went to Arizona, my junior year in college, the Painted Desert was the thing I most wanted to see other than the Grand Canyon. It didn't happen then, so I was super-excited this time. It was amazing and beautiful. We started with the Painted Desert Rim Trail where I all I could do was stop and stare. Next we headed to the Puerco Pueblo where the ruins are not buried and we could see them! On the same walking loop is a pile of rocks covered in petroglyphs, so we got to see some in spite of the mean man in Albuquerque. We also drove the Blue Mesa Loop road and meant to hike the Blue Mesa Trail, but somehow missed the trailhead, so we only got a driving tour. It was still a-mazing.We also did some walking around the Petrified Forest Visitor Center and I finally learned where all that petrified wood actually comes from. I've been fascinated by petrified wood for a looong time. I remember going far off the main road in Yellowstone a few years ago to look at petrified log. This one was in the middle of a forest, so it made more sense. This petrified forest is in the middle of the desert though. And I understand that millions and billions of years ago, it was not a desert, but it still didn't make sense. And then I found out that it's driftwood. That makes SO much more sense!
Next stop, Winslow, AZ so we could stand on a corner. We were the youngest people trying to stand on that corner by about 30 years, but for some reason, this was something I was ridiculously looking forward to. The fact that there was a statue there, waiting for me to stand with, made it even better. As did the Willie Nelson look-a-like also waiting to stand on the corner as if this were the thing he had been waiting his whole life to do.On to Sedona. As we passed through the outskirts of Flagstaff on I-40, I briefly considered exiting the interstate to get gas, but we had a quarter of a tank, so I kept driving, south on 89A through Oak Creek Canyon. This is one of the most beautiful drives I have ever been on, but sadly, this time all I could think about was whether or not we were going to run out of gas. Thankfully, we arrived in Sedona with no problems and immediately put more gas in my tank than has ever been required before.

We drove down to Red Rock Canyon State Park and arrived about 4:30, only to find out that the park closes at 5. What is with all these places closing so early?! So back in Sedona, we stopped at the Red Planet Diner for milkshakes. Sedona is weird place. No thank you, I do not need to have my crystals re-charged. Nor do I believe that Martians are going to land in Sedona, of all places. So I called Brent and asked him if we wanted to a little bit of hiking where we should go. He gave a couple of wonderful recommendations and we did not take them. Instead we managed to get to the Cathedral Rock trail and planned to just pop out of the car for a bit to see the red rocks up close and personal before it rained. It turned into more of an hour hike and was jolly good fun as the rain held off.
Finally, we headed back north to Flagstaff, to spend the night at Brent's in his absence. With a full tank of gas, I got to enjoy the drive this time. After making dinner in a kitchen for the first time in a few days (though we still had hot dogs), we settled down on the couch for an evening of Arrested Development watching.

Labels: roadtrip '10, travel

posted by CP @ 10:03 AM 0 thoughts

more from the Land of Enchantment

The next morning, we woke up and it had finally stopped raining. One of my favorite (strange) things about a good rain storm in the summer is the way the earthworms come out of the ground and wind up in places far from the earth they've come out of like the middle of the driveway. Or between the tent and its footprint in this case. Gross.

Our first stop of the day was the Pueblo of Tesuque flea market. It was supposed to open at 8, but even when we got there, close to 9, there were not many vendors open yet. However, because we are two clearly non-native white girls, those who were open seemed to think that we were ripe for spending too much money on stuff we could not possibly need. There were a number of beautiful necklaces, original creations made by local artists, but, well, I just don't wear necklaces. Nor am I particularly prone to spending tons of money on things I could not possibly need. So we bought some green chile beef jerky and some pistachios.

From there we headed south to Albuquerque via the Turquoise Trail. We stopped first in Cerrillos, where there is a trading post, mining museum, and petting zoo. And no paved roads or even four-way stop signs. Not worth the stop. Next up was San Antonito, where there were more museums to not go into. There were also tons of art galleries, but they were way above our price range, so we didn't spend much time there either. Last stop on the Turquoise Trail was the Tijeras Pueblo. I was a little disappointed by that, because the pueblo is buried underground today, so you just read signs about what is buried and look at pictures of the way it used to be.

Next, to Albuquerque and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, which came highly recommended. It presents the history of the 19 New Mexico Pueblos. We spent some time perusing exhibits and then sat down for the afternoon dance performance, by a group of Navajo dancers from Arizona. I've been to pow wows before, but this was totally different and really neat to watch.
After that, (wow, it's beginning to seem like this was a long day) we headed to downtown Albuquerque. It was same ol' same ol' as Santa Fe, but not as interesting. Laura didn't want to go to the Rattlesnake Museum (and I'm not sure exactly why I did...) so wound up, we got some ice cream and headed to Petroglyph National Monument on the edge of Albuquerque. We got there at 4:18 and walked in to the Visitor Center to ask the ranger what we should do. Never have I experienced such a jerk of an NPS employee. He looked at us like complete idiots for arriving at 4:18 and thinking we would be able to actually do anything and informed us that the Visitor Center and everything in that part of the park closed at 5, there was only one trail that was really open, it was a mile up the road with its trailhead was virtually impossible to find, and the trailhead closed at 4:30. Who ever heard of a National Park/ Monument closing at 5?! And when I told him that we did not know it closed at 5, he looked at me as if I were the stupidest visitor to ever enter and informed me that it has always been that way.

And since it was 4:30 and maybe going to rain and there was nothing else we wanted to do in Albuquerque, we went to see a movie. Salt. It was really good. And then after the movie, we ate dinner at the Blue Cactus Grille. Roadtripping with an iPhone is way different than any other roadtrip I've ever taken. But it sure makes finding things easier! The Blue Cactus was soooo good and had an amazing view. Laura had some sort of avocado burger and I had beef sopapillas. And then, since it's New Mexico, they brought us sopapillas and honey and they were to die for! Laura claimed it was the best meal she'd ever eaten.
We didn't finish dinner till close to 9 and had planned to camp in a state park about 100 miles west of there. We were a little unsure about what time the park gates might close and could not find any information on the iPhone, so instead we wound up at a KOA in Grants, NM. There, we got the second set of crazy stares of the day, from the brothers, in their 60s, I'd say, in the campsite next to us. "A little late to be setting up camp, huh?" one asked and continued to pepper us with questions as we pitched our tent. Om, no sir, I'm thinking to myself, it takes hardly 5 minutes to set up camp and head to bed, but thanks for your concern. I'm also thinking, is it really necessary for you and your brother to have separate 4 man tents? Really, are you in a position to judge me?

Labels: roadtrip '10, travel

posted by CP @ 7:54 PM 0 thoughts

cleaner than regular mexico?

Saturday morning, we got up and headed west out of Texas. I believe the morning started with pancakes and I must say that Laura is an amazing pancake maker. Didn't even burn the first one.
We stopped not too far out of Amarillo at Cadillac Ranch. The number of people also there taking pictures at 9:30 in the morning was remarkable. As was the couple that appeared to be having their engagement photos made there. As I reflect, I am now wondering why on earth I did not document that...Once in the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico (a new state for me!), we headed to Santa Fe. And highly touted New Mexican food. I have no recollection of where we ate, other than upstairs on a balcony outside over looking the square, across from the Palace of the Governors, but our margaritas were quite tasty as I recall. And there were lots of interesting people to watch.
After lunch, we wandered around for a while. Being the cheapskate that I am, we did not pay to go in to any of the museums. We did though pay $3 to see the miraculous staircase at the Loretto. The chapel is supposed to have been modeled after Saint Chapelle in Paris- not sure I buy it. I was hoping that some sort of supernatural/ghostly something or other was the reason the staircase was miraculous. Nope. Just because it has two twists and is self-supporting. Rather disappointing.From there, we headed to the capitol to walk around. We found a lovely view and some sweet statues, including the CCC worker that I love. And then we found the New Mexico Department of Education Accountability. In a teeee-tiny building. Of course.Our walked continued back to downtown and we popped into a coffee shop/independent bookstore to figure out what we were going to do for the evening. And the bottom fell out of the sky. So we hung out there a good long while, waiting for a break in the rain since we were parked pretty far away. We didn't pay close attention and missed numerous of those breaks. And when we finally did decide to make a run for it in the pouring rain, we discovered that the car was, in fact, in a parking garage about 40 feet away on the other side of the street.

We drove around a bit, rather aimlessly, and happened upon a chocolatier. Alas, we were entirely too full to partake. It had by then stopped raining, so we parked on the road where all the art galleries are. Canyon Rd? Almost all of the galleries were closed by then, but luckily, many of them have outdoor sculpture gardens, perfect playgrounds!It started raining again and we decided to head campground-ward, to Hyde Memorial State Park north of Santa Fe, in the National Forest. We had a hard time finding a campsite, got the last one with a shelter. Thankful for that, as it rained all night long. At one point, Laura and I woke up having to pee at the same time while it was pouring. Our campsite was on a thin strip of land between 2 roads, a little wooded, and down a very steep hill. I was a little worried about my non-4 wheel drive SUV making it up the hill. Probably could have gone by a tree, but since it was raining, we hopped in the car, threw it in low gear, and chugged up the hill to the bathroom a quarter of a mile up the road. Probably not the decision I would have made in the light of day, but it seemed entirely rational at the time.

Labels: roadtrip '10, travel

posted by CP @ 8:01 PM 0 thoughts

everything IS bigger in Texas

Better? Well now, that's another question. Friday morning, we drove to Amarillo.

First stop along the way: Shamrock, TX, home of a chunk of the Blarney Stone. Located in a small park in the middle of the tee-tiny town. Of course we stopped to kiss it! We also stopped at some old gas station on Route 66. Don't remember where. And it was closed. We also a leaning water tower and the second largest cross in the country. They weren't worthy of stopping for...

Once we hit Amarillo, we drove straight to find the Huge Pair of Legs. I was pretty convinced that setting my eyes on them would mean finding The Island. I was sorely disappointed. It seems The Island must still be on the bottom of the ocean somewhere.From there, we headed to Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon in the country. Many thanks to Brandi for alerting me to its existence! The original plan was to hit up the amusement park, but I think we made a much better choice. After a stop in at the Visitor Center and a couple view points, we hiked to the Lighthouse. It was a nice warm up hike for the Grand Canyon. The end of the hike was rather unpleasant: teeming horse flies! We hopped in the car as fast as possible and high-tailed it away from them.

Off to find a real bigger and better Texan.That night we enjoyed a nice, leisurely evening at the KOA Amarillo, starting with a dip in the pool and ending with teaching Laura to play backgammon.

Labels: roadtrip '10, travel

posted by CP @ 7:46 PM 0 thoughts

heading west

And the chronicle of this summer's roadtrip begins.

We set out Thursday, July 29 from Laura's house at about 8:00, right on schedule. The goal for the day's driving was Norman, OK. First pit stop: West Memphis, AK. First time I'd set foot on Arkansas soil and pretty sure I don't want to stop in West Memphis ever again. We stopped for real at Central High School in Little Rock. Seemed like an appropriate stop for 2 former teachers and ed policy students who care about social justice. We joined a tour of teachers for a bit and then wandered around the school on our own. It's still a functioning school, but everything on the inside has been preserved as it was in the days of the Little Rock Nine.From there, we drove west to Oklahoma. We spent the night at Lake Thunderbird State Park just east of Norman. I was really looking forward to this park- the lake was huge and beautiful. Campground, not so much. We turned into the tent loop at the campground. Mistake. I have never been in a nastier, less maintained campground- fire pit filled with beer cans and food trash, cigarettes littering the campsite, trash hadn't been taken out in the bathroom anytime recently and many wasps had made their home there. Possibly the worst night's sleep I've ever had camping as well, given the night's low of 85. I felt bad for Laura, starting out this crazy trip I'd mostly engineered in such a way.

Morning came, we woke literally before the crack of dawn and were out of there by seven. For all of its horrors, we'd gotten there late enough and left early enough that we never saw a ranger, nor was the visitors center open, so at least it was free!

Labels: travel

posted by CP @ 11:11 AM 1 thoughts