A Stop at Melody's Barn in Quemado, NM

So recap it is.  We got back to Los Osos on Saturday night (Sunday morning, actually) and took a few days to visit friends here and also some time to rest.  28 days on the road, 10,000 miles, Two Dudes and Two Dogs, we all needed some time to decompress.

So where were we...

We awoke in Phoenix to a clearer sky than the night before but still weather in the sky.  The dogs were still very excited for more car ride, so we loaded in and headed down the road.  Gas stop first before we head towards the Capitol of Arizona, Phoenix

New Co-Pilot?

Where are we going?

Those familiar with our vacation last year and our calendar know that we were all about the Capitol Dogs.  Heck, we decided on Alaska so we can get to Juneau.  Actually I decided, but I digress.

We arrived on a Sunday, so the capital building was closed.  This was okay with us as it kept the area clear of gobs of people, workers and constituents alike.  Sure, there were a few tourists around, but plenty of parking and lots of clear space to check out the many monuments on the grounds.

The first we noticed after the building itself was a reproduction of the Liberty Bell.  In 1950, 55 replicas were ordered by the US Dept. of Treasury and were cast in France by Fonderie Paccard.  Many of these bells are sited near the State Capitol buildings as well as Washington, DC and US Territories.  It's become sort of a treasure hunt trying to find them.

The obligatory shots of the dogs were taken in front of the building before checking out the many monuments on the capital grounds.

Off to the left of the front doors was a small sitting area showcasing the local flora, cactus.  As well as the cacti, there was the necessary homage to the Petrified Forest National Park by placing a large piece on either side of the main entrance.

It was a Sunday, but they had some lighting in the foyer, enough that I could take a shot of the foyer through the windows.

The Great Seal of Arizona

The grounds located in front of the capital building was mostly parking lot, but it also had a multi layer space with grass and a multitude of monuments commemorating importing happenings in the state.

The first I approached was the statue dedicated to the Navajo Code Talkers.  What I noticed first was the color of the skin on this memorial.  It was definitely not caucasian, but more of brownish color offset by the green patina of his uniform.

The next statue I saw was the Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Memorial.  The dog was standing regally with gun, radio and holster by his feet.

The Daughters of Utah Pioneers erected "Arizona's Pioneer Women" in 1968, honoring the women who helped settle the west at great costs.

The Arizona Workers Memorial, "El Pasaje" honors Arizona's men and women, from the earliest territorial miners to present day workers, who have suffered permanent injury or death on the job.

Tom asked me to take the next 10 sculptures, The Bill of Rights, the third and final of our founding documents, ratified on December, 15, 1791.  The Bill of Rights thus completed the framework begun with the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and secured the formalization of a new government, and the nationhood of the United States.  This monument was dedicated on Bill of Rights Day, December 15, 2012

We left the capital and headed towards Quemado, NM which was going to be a highlight for the first leg of the trip.  We were headed to Mel's barn.  Melody was to have full house as on top of us, she was also hosting her sone and wife, their newborn child and Mel's two grandchildren.  All of this in a two story barn.  We decided to camp outside.

The dogs have been here before, but there was snow on the ground then.  This time there were kids,  balls, bones everywhere from dead animals found around the property and space, lots and lots of space.  Needless to say, they may not have settled in too quickly, but they were occupied.

Life at the Barn can be very relaxing.  As you can see below, It's so easy to recline on the chair and cuddle with a stuffed squirrel tail and take a nap.  Or at least try to while Tom is click clicking with his phone, making me smile.

Below is Melody and the new born Pearl.  I don't think it is her real name, but it was what Mel called her.  I held her once during our visit.  I note it only because I tend not to be holding babies much these days.  I understood the smell of babies at that point, though.  The sweet baby smell.

The second floor's porch offers a great view of the "Biscuit", an ongoing point of reference for me and Mel.  To know the biscuit is to know the barn, and Melody.

Tom and I set up the tent for the first time on this journey.  The kids helped with tying it down and I took the opportunity to repack the car a bit.  Finding holes for some extra gear that was tossed in the car last minute in Los Osos.  What normally takes 10 minutes took us more than double.  No worries.  We'd have it down to 8 by the end of this trip.

Dinner was made by Melody.  Wine served and great conversation between the adults.  The monsoons started again, but not as heavy as the night before.  The dogs were settled and ice cream was served for dessert.  Just a splendid day.  So splendid, that Tom did not want to go any further.  Maybe next time we could stay longer and have the Barn be our final destination rather than a destination for the night.  For tonight, though it was bedtime with plans of heading North towards Colorado in the morning.

Thank you, Melody!  See you soon!