This morning proved to be a bit of a test of patience for both of us. Since Martha has to have internet access, we travel with Virgin Mobile and Verizon Wireless mobile broadband adapters. The USB adapters are plugged into our Cradlepoint router. Since these provide pay-as-you-go service we buy time based on where we’re going and who provides the better coverage we’ll need based on our destination. Our preference is Virgin Mobile. Their plan is the best in terms of price and use. However, their coverage is limited. Our second option is through Verizon which isn’t hassle-free nor as good for it’s value. (Compare unlimited download vs. 5 GB cap.)
Martha had been noticing that the Verizon wasn’t working where we were to expect 3G coverage. Since Verizon was going to be the best and, at times, only availability for more than half of the rest of the trip she wanted to be sure she could work. We headed to a Verizon store to have them check the situation. Long story short; two hours later we emerged with a new 4G MIFI due to the fact that the modem in the USB 760 simply gave up the ghost. It provided no coverage even in the Verizon store.
Later than planned, we headed north to Santa Fe for the afternoon with Pat Trainor as our host and guide. Our first stop was the Shidoni Bronze Foundry where Pat had worked for a short period of time. Pat was able to give us a short tour through the facility. She explained the multi-stage process for producing bronze sculptures during the afternoon work break (look under Process at their website). We also spent some time in the sculpture garden next to the foundry. Of interest, was a bronze statue in progress of what appeared to be the president of a university sculpture and a sculpture of a baseball catcher. On leaving the foundry there was a very large sculpture of a horse with a woman riding English style. When remarking about it to the foundry’s owner we learned that the statue would be joining the statues we saw in Oklahoma City depicting the Land Run.
The university president — shoulders in foreground, body lying on floor after welding halves together, head in the background. The feet and legs were under a table.
Face and mask of the baseball catcher getting rough edges removed.
The legs of the catcher with protective gear. The legs are waiting to be cleaned before being welded to the rest of the sculpture.
The catcher's hit with hands and forearms attached. It is waiting for the patina to be applied.
A finished product waiting to be delivered to Oklahoma City where, ultimately, there will be 47 statues assembled to show the variety of people participating in a Land Run.
From the foundry, we drove into Santa Fe proper and had an afternoon snack of chips and salsa at La Fiesta inside the La Fonda Hotel. I continue to be amazed and awed at the artistic talent and ability of the Indian people. A portion of the government building on the plaza has a covered portico where the Indians display their goods for sale each day.
On our way back into Albuquerque we caught a glimpse of the road runner commuter train which runs between Albuquerque to Santa Fe. It is actually called the Rail Runner but has a road runner painted on the sides of the engines and coaches; thus the name. I think I would prefer the train if I lived in ABQ and had to travel to Santa Fe to work on a daily basis. The drive is pretty monotonous since there are no towns in between or much vegetation, either.
We wrapped the day up with a delicious New Mexican dinner at Sadie’s. My beef brisket enchilada was delicious, very tender and well seasoned. Byron opted for more American fair with a pork chop. Pat had her usual Chalupa. All in all we had a very nice day.
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