Do stink bugs smell like poop? If not, I have a much larger problem on my hands. The van currently has a hellacious stench. It can only be described as musty, funky, cat lady, grossness. I'd like to think that I don't carry that odor with me when I exit the van but I probably do. You know how your olfactory adjusts to unpleasant odors and after about ten or fifteen minutes you no are no longer bothered by the unpleasant smell. Well, that doesn't happen here. It's a very persistent and nagging aroma. Where is it coming from? What I need to do is tear everything out of the van, track the stink bug hotel down and exterminate the queen. It could also be a deposit left by one of my feline traveling buddies. Either way, I suspect the culprit is somewhere under the extremely packed bed. That will be my project first thing tomorrow. I will probably hit up the Dollar General for about ten pounds of air fresheners on the way out of town too. Today, after a visit to Pecos National Historical Park I broke my ten day monosodium glutamate, cornstarch, dehydrated, pesticide ridden eating streak when I found organic, vegetarian bliss. I was unfortunately falling subject to corporate America's attempt to turn me into a big, fat ear of corn. It was a close call. The Tree House Café in Santa Fe was just about to close for the day when I arrived, ravenous and ready to tear some veggies limb from limb. I ordered a fresh spinach and mozzarella sandwich with chili pesto on toasted whole wheat bread, a market salad, a cup of saffron vegetable soup and a summer salad to go. I consumed my food with the fury of ten men. It was incredible. The animals watched as swirling carnage of leafy greens flew from my lips. I shoveled and slurped and chomped my way into one fantastic food coma. Gosh it was good. I'm going to go back and do it all over again tomorrow. Anything to get me to put down the strawberry fruit snacks that are oh so delicious after they have been baking in the sun on my dashboard all afternoon. Peeing on my athlete's foot in the shower didn't help, wait, that's for jellyfish stings. Never mind. So, Pecos National Historical Park was the first national park to accept the eighty dollar national park pass that I purchased for this trip. The cost to enter today was only three dollars but my virgin park pass was ready and waiting. I want to say that I loved the park but I'm not going to. The fact that the dogs were welcome in the park was absolutely wonderful. The desert landscape and the trail through the ruins was incredibly beautiful and very well maintained. As far as ruins go, I found these as I have previously found other ruins, very dull. I have a hard time picturing what it used to be and I'm not a history buff so I appreciate the exercise and nature surrounding me more than the ruins themselves. The Pecos Pueblo Mission Church was the only structure still standing in the park and it is still amazingly intact considering it was built around AD 1100. I did really enjoy exploring this structure and I loved the one hour and thirty minute stroll through the park. I can see why New Mexico is known as "the land of enchantment". It's gorgeous here. Santa Fe is a really cool place. Before I even saw the town I had a notion that I would probably want to live here someday. That assumption was incorrect for only one reason, grass. The grass is ugly. It is a desert after all. I love big leafy, green trees and thick, rich lawns. I was getting a kick out of Mac today. He apparently appreciates a nice patch of grass just as much as I do but in a completely different way. Every time he had to go potty he would choose the closest thing to a grass patch that he could find, usually a prickly weed, and circle it until he closed in on his target. Fleetwood got a thorn in her paw during one of her bathroom breaks and was a very cute but squirmy patient during the removal process. I visited Santa Fe National Forest today only to find out it was a reserve and not a place to really be explored. I observed the St. Francis Cathedral from a far today and would love to get a closer look tomorrow. The town is very cute with colorful boutiques, museums and all types of restaurants scattered throughout the very clean and inviting streets. I enjoyed admiring all of the adorably modest adobe homes as I drove through the very family friendly neighborhoods. I'm not into shopping but I may explore some museums tomorrow after the van cleaning extravaganza. There is something very magical about the New Mexico sky, especially at night time. The stars are so brilliant that they seem to be just an arms length away. My first night in New Mexico I stood outside of my van in Santa Rosa awe struck by the magnificent stars. The day time skies are remarkable as well with either very plentiful, white, fluffy clouds or very angry, gray, flat clouds. Tomorrow another full day of exploration awaits and I'm up for the adventure.
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