A Cactus Flower

Informal dress means standard trousers with a sea island cotton shirt in white or dark blue, black casuals or sandals. –THE BOOK OF BOND by Lt. Col. William Tanner
The countdown begins as I anticipate that trip to New Mexico with mom and Ashley to New Mexico.  I already have the hotel reservations and the itinerary for Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos.  I’m very excited.  We will also visit mom’s old hometown known as Cerrillos, NM.  There’s a little antique shop there that has been in business for 30 years known as THE WHAT NOT SHOP.  Maybe I’ll find some fun knick-knacks there.   I am looking forward to that drive along the Turquoise Trail.
There is such history in the Southwest.  I have even learned of interesting history from my mom’s hometown. 
Cerrillos was once seriously considered as the capitol on NM.  The mining district is one of the oldest and most marked of the old Spanish Mineral Developments in the territory. 

Turquoise mined in Cerrillos found its way to the crown jewels of SPAIN.   The town was host to many famous people like Theodore Roosevelt, Lew Wallace and Thomas A Edison.
Twenty-one saloons and four hotels were busy in Cerrillos in the 1800s.
Native American Indians worked the nearby Cerrillos mines before the coming of the white men.  Many millions in gold were taken from the place mines in the 1800s.  Rich deposits of lead, zine and silver were mined at the Mina del Tiro, the oldest ore mine in the USA. 
Ashley wrote me again.  I like that she is taking time to read, write letters and do things during the summer.  She’ll really enjoy the Southwestern trip soon.  She even showed off her artistic ability of ‘A CACTUS FLOWER’.  I love it so much!  She mentioned new outfits.  I guess I must figure out what I’m going to wear as well…something informal but dressy.
August 10, 1993
Dear Uncle Mike,
How are you?  I’m fine.
I miss you a lot.  I am still saving money.  I have $43.30.
Here is a picture of a cactus flower.  Is it good? 
I just finished a book called MYSTERY AT LILAC INN. 
I got three new outfits for L.A.
Camping was fun.  We got to go swimming every day.
How is Carrie, Lauren and Alan? 
I woke up at 4:30AM!  So, I should be tired.
Well, that’s all.  Bye.  Love, Ashley
P.S.  I LOVE YOU

The plan is for mom and Ashley to arrive to Marina Del Rey.  Ashley will spend a little time with Carrie.  I’ll drive them around in my white Celica.  Then mom, Ashley and I will depart via LAX to Albuquerque on Friday, August 20th at around 6pm and arrive in NM around 9:30pm where I will get the Hertz rental car and drive to downtown Albuquerque where we will stay at LA POSADA DE ALBUQUERQUE Hotel.  We will be right near the Old Town.  Exciting!  I’m ready to explore during this adventure.
“You stay too much indoors,” said the lawyer, “You should be out, whipping up the circulation.”
--Robert Louis Stevenson,
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde