Braking Bad

Albuquerque was founded over 300 years ago, and it took us almost that long to drive 253 miles from Winslow, AZ, to Enchanted Trails RV Park on the west side of town. A brisk breeze blew us out of Arizona and with a high wind forecast, we wanted to settle down and hide in ABQ. Unfortunately, the rv gods decided to prank us by eliminating the braking system on the trailer. We had to be pretty careful as we drove because towing 15,000 pounds without a good way to slow it down can be exciting!

The day after we arrived we made arrangements to have the brakes diagnosed and determined that on two wheels, vital parts had come loose, rendering the brakes ineffective. We gave the go ahead to fix with the assurance that the repair would be completed within a week. We had reservations for a full week, so life is good, right?

The Service Writer for LaMesa RV kept in touch with us, good news or bad. The bad just prior to Easter was that the parts wouldn’t be available for two weeks! After a couple of deep breaths, I began to practice my persuasive skills, calling the factory (3 times), the selling dealer (twice), LaMesa (again), and another rv dealer in ABQ. So.. we arrived on a Sunday, here it is the following Sunday (Easter), and we still don’t know if the trailer will be fixed! Tomorrow we’re supposed to have a new plan. Here’s hoping!

In the meantime, we’ve been trying to make the best of a situation. Our site, A6, tucks us into a site between a motorhome and a long fifth wheel trailer. The wind blows into the front of the trailer, and for two days it was a 30 to 50 mph wind with gusts to 65! We only ventured out when needed!

The park lies directly on old Route 66, and has some old garage things from that era scattered about. It’s an older park, but well kept and with wonderfully cooperative staff and its handy to LaMesa RV, the shop that’s hoping to do the work on the trailer.

We cruised around Albuquerque one windy day after having breakfast at Weck’s. Their specialty is Papas, a dish with hash browns in a bowl topped with several cheeses, an egg, and served with red or green chili sauce. I added carnitas to mine and it was an inexpensive and filling breakfast!

By midweek the wind had calmed down from 50+ mph and the temp had risen from 40 deg to the 50’s, so we explored some of Albuquerque Old Town. We didn’t have a lot of time due to the wonderful ABQ traffic which held us up a bit.

Every Spanish town of the 1700’s has a plaza or square. The requirement for recognition of the town was that the plaza must have a church dominating one side. Albuquerque has its church, and a convent as well.

Still waiting for trailer brakes.

We decided to take a daytrip to Santa Fe and see what might have changed since we last visited.

Not much.

Santa Fe is an eclectic town, focused on art of any form. The requisite square is bordered by upscale jewelry and art shops, along with high end hotels.

This nice lady directed us to the side of the square reserved for local vendors. Primarily native american crafts, we had a hard time resisting the turquoise, silver, and leather work. However the prices helped out in that department!

One entire side of the plaza displayed handmade jewelry.

Two works or art set up an impromptu car show along the south side of the square. We didn’t know quite how to interpret this, other than to admire the workmanship.

Not all the artwork was done in silver!

And so ends week one in Albuquerque.

We are still waiting for parts for the trailer.