Fast forward...

Sorry, I wasn't able to post anything for the last few days - I promise I was keeping busy.

I spent some time in Laredo and met tons of new friends. I also rode a mechanical bull (yes, there's video, but I don't have it yet). I should probably have stopped drinking when someone said 'WE HAVE TO GO TO THE COUNTRY BAR SO MANDY CAN RIDE THE BULL.' I guess That would have been a good call. It wasn't too bad though, I had fun, and apparently there's a great video. I'll be sure to post it when I get it. Everyone told me that I would hate Laredo - I don't know, maybe I just had great company, but I liked it there. I'll go back anytime.

From Laredo, I worked my way north to New Mexico. Unfortunately, I had to stop on the way in Fort Stockton (TX) for the night. I'm not sure why there's a settlement there, because there are no residents (or at least I didn't see any). Further bad news was that there was a tornado just outside of town. I (thankfully) didn't see it, but I did get a really nice lightning show (video to be posted on the photo site later).

When I got to New Mexico, I met up with my friend Jose and went into Roswell for dinner and sightseeing. (Yes, Rachelle - I have an alien for you!) The following day, we went to Ruidoso (west of Roswell). I will definitely be going to Ruidoso again, it is probably one of the best kept secrets that I've come across yet (at least I think so, because I've never heard of it). The place is amazing, its up in the mountains and it is beautiful. We drove up the mountain to Ski Apache, which was closed, but we still got some great pictures. I looked at their website, and they say that the mountain is 12,000 feet, but I don't think that we were that high (probably 11,000 though). On our way back into town, we decided to stop by the Inn of the Mountain Gods (resort and casino run by the Mescalero). I might have to stay there when I go back. Aside from it being a beautiful and well placed facility, it is lucky. Jose and I went into the casino he said he was going to gamble $20 and that I was not to let him go near any ATM machines. In less than 5 minutes on the slot machine, he turned $20 into $130 - so we cashed out and went home. On the way back we heard warnings for (another) tornado. And again, I got lucky - another great lightning show - I'll be sure to post this video too. :-)

And for now, that is all.