Pancakes & Rattlesnakes

I had a hankerin' for a heap of hotcakes at Old Town's Church Street Cafe this morning, so the three of us left the house shortly after 9. At that early hour, we had no trouble parking near the Plaza.

The Church Street Cafe is housed in the oldest building in Old Town, constructed in the early 18th century by the Ruiz family. The building remained in the family until 1991, when the last surviving family member died at 91. The hostess seated us in the patio, a delightful area in the back where we enjoyed blueberry pancakes, huevos rancheros and, to Kelly's satisfaction, OJ with plenty of pulp.




Of note was a stunning table and benches inlaid with beautiful tiles. I thought Judy might like to see this table, so here it is. And before I forget, Happy Birthday Judy!


The American International Rattlesnake Museum, located just a few blocks from the cafe, is home to the largest collection of live rattlesnakes in the world. While I'm neither ophidiophobic nor especially enamored with slithering reptiles, I admit sensing a palpable creepiness in being surrounded by dozens of venomous vipers, spiders, scorpions, and even a gila monster, though all were secured in sturdy glass enclosures. To be honest, I kept checking the floor and enclosure tops to make sure none had escaped. Nonetheless, the exhibition was pretty amazing, even if I had chills more than once. Kelly seemed fascinated by the poisonous creatures.


Kelly reprimanded me (and rightly so) for tapping on the glass. I just had to do it. Tsk, tsk...can't take me anywhere.

Kelly brushed up on her rattlesnake trivia. You just never know when you'll need to know snake facts.

On the way back to the car Marcia and Kelly checked out a 1926 Model T parked in the Plaza. It was one sweet ride, beautifully restored and spotless.


When I got home I took Murphy for a long walk along the ditch, where he happily swam and cooled off. I, on the other hand, became so overheated in the midday sun that I needed to place an emergency phone call to Marcia requesting a cold wet cloth and Gatorade, which she and Telly delivered to me in minutes. Though the ditch water looked therapeutically cooling, I'd rather collapse than immerse my body in a muddy arroyo. Blech.

It's summer and this is high desert country. One of these days I'm going to realize I'm not in Florida anymore, and dehydration happens quickly. Thankfully, I don't mind the taste of Gatorade.

A better way to keep cool: Tara's Organic Ice Cream. Check out the flavors. My new favorite flavor is White Pepper Chocolate Chip. My next adventure in frozen delights: Tara's Green Chile Ice Cream.