Moriarty, New Mexico

It's hard to imagine that there are places in the US where cell phone and broadband coverage is non-existent, but out here in the SW we have found many of the dead spots. So we are sorry about the lapses in blog writing. I'm attempting to catch up.

Moriarty was our last contact with old Route 66. Our refrigerator had stopped working so I went there early to find an RV repair that could order parts and give them time to have it before we left after the weekend rest.

True to form the townspeople were excited to see us coming and joined us early by riding along with us in a parade to the rodeo grounds where we would be staying for the weekend. A team of miniature horses pulling a buckboard led our parade as well as another team of minis which pulled another wagon. There were other horseback riders dressed in vintage-wear to make a festive parade. The Chamber of Commerce and the Rodeo Association put on a delicious BBQ dinner with a great country entertainer for the evening.

Saturday the weather was windy and COLD for the youth rodeo but they had a great time. Sunday was much nicer for the adult rodeo.

One of the most impressive groups of people we met in Moriarty was the FFA. They spend a few hours on Sunday introducing us to their group and what they do. Two of the girls, now in 8th grade, told about a project, which involved extracting DNA from plants, which they did in the 6th grade. They won the National FFA science award with this project against High School students. A couple years earlier another group had come in second in a National Parliamentary procedure competition. These kids were very dedicated, very smart and very proud of their FFA group!

The people in Moriarty have been some of the friendliest people we have met! And by the time the correct part came in for our refrigerator, 1-1/2 weeks later, I felt like a member of the community.

And if you are ever in Moriarty NM be sure and eat at Shorty's BBQ. Not only are they really nice people, but serve delicious food! Located right on old Route 66.

And by the way, the Sam Elliot movie didn't pan out. But, it had been fun to think about.