First and foremost, hope you are all still holding onto the rafters in the insane house of humans we are all inhabiting now.
Second, the fact that SLOW TRAVEL NEW MEXICO won for best travel book in the Arizona-New Mexico Book Awards has aroused interest and curiosity, and we have several unique events lined up that we hope you can come to. Your presence makes the events special. Please add these to your calendar if you’d like to participate and enjoy.
1. Sunday, November 3rd. Los Luceros, one of our favorite historical sites in the state, and the locus of orchards, walking trails, forest, historic buildings, the restored banks of the Rio Grande, and a fascinating LGBTQ+ history, is having its first mini balloon fiesta. The Zozobra balloon will even be present. There will be morning ascensions, food trucks, a party atmosphere, and at 1 pm on Sunday we are the entertainment. After that, the sandhill cranes are landing, and the cottonwoods are in full bloom.
At this, and all other events, Judie will do an infotainment, interactive talk about what Slow Travel really is, how to start doing it right away to make life more exciting, and Paul (alias PJ) will be performing some of his highly original and entertaining cowboy poetry. Then book sale and signing and meetings with the stars.
2. Saturday, December 7th 3 pm-4:30 pm, the Los Alamos Library. Before our event, maybe visit one of the town’s museums, or walk one of the breathtaking trails. Have a picnic lunch (we always take out Chinese buns from Yuan’s) at Ashley Pond. You’re likely to meet a bunch of smart, curious, lively people with broad interests that we hope will include you. They are very excited to have us all.
3. Sunday, December 8, 2 pm. Book Talk at historic Temple Montefiore, 901 8th Street, Las Vegas, NM
Temple Montefiore was established in 1886, the oldest synagogue in the NM territory. It was sold in 1957, eventually became a Catholic Center, and through a major fundraising endeavor it was purchased from the Santa Fe Diocese and returned to the Jewish community in September, 2022. Come to the event, discover the temple, and why not combine it with an earlier visit to the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge with its wondrous, geological surprise? Explore Las Vegas with its architectural gems? Stars of the book will offer special events you can sign up for at the refuge and in the synagogue.
4.Saturday, December 14th, 2-3:30. Santa Fe Southside Library. When did you last visit the southside of Santa Fe, or attend one of the exciting events at its library and/or the new teen center across the street? We need more people to discover and support this community treasure where we have gone to concerts, talks, brought home seeds to plant from its seed library, and scored beloved books for a dollar or two? They are very excited about our event, and look forward to meeting you. There is ample parking and it’s a great opp to meet new people in the community.
The holidays are coming up soon, and each event is an opportunity to buy a one-of-a-kind book, custom signed, for holiday gifts.
5.*** Saturday, November 16, at 11 a.m. at Hotel Albuquerque. This is an add-on, also free, where PJ will be performing.It’s part of the international Western Music Association— which also includes cowboy poetry. PJ will be throwing his hat in the cowboy poetry ring and competing on Saturday, November 16, at 11 a.m. at the Hotel Albuquerque in Albuquerque. The event lasts two hours. This time you can just be audience, and no pressure to be stars.
Hope to see you there!
Judie and Paul
