There’s a sign you start seeing on I-40 around the Continental Divide, and especially outside of Grants, New Mexico: GUSTY WINDS MAY OCCUR. Every time I come upon this sign, I am moved by the existential poetry of its message. Who wouldn’t be? Google it and you’ll find odes!
I had four chances to snap a pic of the Gusty Winds sign yesterday on my drive from Flagstaff, Arizona to Edgewood, New Mexico, but alas, each time it suddenly appeared through my windscreen, it went by too quick. Life can be that way. So many opportunities…
After a couple hours on the road, we took a break in Navajo at the same rest area/travel center where I had bought my Navajo horsehair pot on the way out, last October. The women from the rez weren’t outside at the crafts table this time, which was disappointing. Inside, I saw many fine pieces of native art, pottery, moccasins, and commercial souvenirs for sale, though. I bought a diet Dr. Pepper (guilty pleasure—I know aspartame is wrong) and a very soft fleece blanket printed with a Navajo/Pendleton style pattern in warm colors on a black field. Ironically, the blanket is Made in China. LOL (In my defense, I will say that the Navajo woman at the counter liked it too. We had a nice chat as she rung me up. Soft pretty things—what’s not to like?)
Heres a glamour shot of my Forester on its maiden voyage. So far so great. Pets have more space, luggage has more space, and so do I. Most importantly, I feel much safer passing trucks at high speed than I did in the compact and very little Prius C. It got fabulous MPG, but the small format was hard on my body. Grateful to both vehicles for doing their job so well. Amen.
In other news, look what I found in the parking lot, a short while after arriving in Edgewood yesterday afternoon. Three more silver rings! What is happening?!
The parking lot where I found the rings is actually next door to our hotel, adjacent to a coffee shop. I was taking Timi for a walk, I look down, and there they are. Amazing!
Unlike Desert Star, the silver zodiac ring which I found in the sand on that Cross Hike a couple weeks ago, I didn’t keep these gifts. Maybe someone will be looking for them. So I left them with the barista at Route 66 Coffee and Boba.
I might go back this morning, though, to claim the damaged one…if it’s still there. It would make a nice souvenir, and I wouldn’t mind a good coffee, either, before heading back onto I-40 East for one last day of driving through the beautiful wild West. OBC 🌵🦉🌿
One Bold Crone 
I was moved by the existential poetry too. 😊
Plus, I love that you included mentioning purchase of a diet soda! You are bold all right. In my 20s I drank a lot of Diet Coke. I still sometimes indulge in one when offered on airplane flights.😆
Hehehe I’m so bold, I’m Dr. Pepper bold! 😉