Well, it snowed a whole bunch, as you know from me freaking out. It probably wasn't six inches, because more snow accumulates on the banisters than on the ground, because of the wind. The ground is a more accurate gauge of snow, and it was more like 3-4 inches. Still plenty. Here's a few more pics in this one you can really see the difference between banister and ground:
Wednesday we were going to Alamogordo, the closest big town, about an hour away, to do some shopping. We were a little nervous about the roads and the snow, but not enough to stop us from going. So we take this mountain road that by passes town and goes past the mountain, you get a really good view and here it is COVERED in snow: 
It's the very same mountain as in the other pictures on my blog. In person, you could even see the snow spray coming up from the wind. It's barely detectable in the picture. Shortly after taking this picture, we starting passing people who were coming towards us with their flashers on. It seemed kind of out of place, the road wasn't that bad. It was covered with snow, but had been salted and ploughed. It was fine for driving. Well, we came to a place where there was a policeman and two stopped cars...we weren't sure what was going on, so we drove slowly past, being cautious. This was at the bottom of a hill, which we didn't realize until we slowly lost speed because we had poor traction and about halfway up the hill stopped altogether, tires spinning, and then started to slide BACKWARDS!!!!!! towards the cars that were stopped at the bottom of the hill with the policeman. Now we could see what was going on. People were sliding down and the cop was there to help keep things orderly. He came over and helped guide our truck safely through the slide so that we could turn around and go the other way. While sliding backwards, we put our flashers on. After a bit of confusion and adventure, we were safely turned back in the other direction, unable to take that route. Now we knew why we had seen people going in the opposite direction with their flashers on. Now we were safely on our way.
Alamogordo is 3000 ft lower in elevation, so it wasn't long before the snow was becoming scare and the roads much safer. Coming into Alamogordo there are several signs advertising a store. It's called "Running Indian" and there is a cartoon indian with big headdress and loincloth, in a running position, probably holding a tomahawk or something, on the billboard. It's kind of like Wall drug, where there are like 20 billboards leading upto this small store. I've seen these signs each time we've gone to alamogordo, but this was the only time I realized the blatant derogatory statement being made with the name. In fact, I don't know if I've ever seen such blatant racism being carried out right in the midst of the very people who are being discriminated against, and frankly i was offended.
I do suppose the indians make some money off this. For all I know, an indian owns the store and sells all kinds of fake weird indian artifacts. There are indian reservations all around this place and they have casinos and stuff, so they're definitely making money off the tourist thing.
Anyway, I mentioned to Ron about the name and we kind of laughed about it and I then we saw up ahead a sign for a new community where you could buy houses called "Running Indian Estates."
Well, that about blew it for us. We couldn't stop laughing. I said, you might as well have called it "Jive talkin Negro Estates" He says "Damn Nigger Esates" and we went on like good racists:
Damn Nigger Condos
Sweaty Mexican Townhomes
White Trash Trailer Park
I wish I had taken a picture of the sign. I'll have to try next time I go. Later for dinner we found ourselves eating in a Chinese Buffet Restaurant. Which was playing stevie wonder christmas songs, and just had some weird elements going on, as you can imagine. The food was good, though.
Slanty Chink Buffet???
That one doesn't have the same ring as the others. please send your submissions to the comment button below.
So, we spent the day shopping and i spent an insane amount of money on appointments and decorations for my massage room. When I get it all set up I will take pictures. I'm pretty excited. i think it will be nice.
Coming home in the dark the snow/water all had evaporated from the road and we had smooth sailing. When we got to downtown Ruidoso I was hugely impressed with how damn cute it is. Christmas trees growing naturally everywhere, with snow gently weighing down their boughs. Christmas lights appropriately lighting up the town, and slating roofs with a cushion of marshmallowly snow for the perfect ambiance. This picture doesn't do it justice, but it gives some idea:
Merry Christmas!
Posted by Shiva
at 11:51 AM MST
Updated: Monday, 4 December 2006 2:17 PM MST
