Mom's Log
Day 25
Tuesday, June 21
New Mexico
The Piper was still not ready to fly so Tom Baker took M up in their 1932 replica of Pietenpol Air Camper to Santa Fe. Bakers are 35 years old—artists and pianists. It was the first time they flew the Pietenpol into a major airport [We were first for clearance.] It flew 55 mph—has big antique tires and open cockpit. Channel 7 news took great footage from a helicopter flying alongside—will send to us—Elise and Tom had on Martha’s extra goggles and scarves. 15 people on ground took the pledge. They flew out of Albuquerque over desert [over 2 ancient Native American forts], down highways—between mountains at 55 mph and arrived at Santa Fe on a 10,000 foot-long runway. “ New Mexican” newspaper took photos.
At Santa Fe Martha met Harry Oliver III who owns a 1943 DC-3 old transport. The maintenance man put 19 quarts of oil in each engine and Mr. Oliver’s secretary and 7 people (40 capacity) flew to Taos, New Mexico. Martha took the controls which felt very heavy and needed strong muscles to handle without using trim. Martha took great photos of the plane taking off-sun shining on red plane and sunlight on white wings. Clouds and shadows—mountain Summer afternoon thunder storm approaching Taos Airport quickly.
Stayed at youth Hostel ($10.00 night) at Taos, North of Santa Fe. Beautiful mountains-Indian Dancers.
Day 26
Wednesday, June 22
New Mexico
[No flights today.] M made four hours of phone calls [from the payphone at a rundown laundromat near the youth hostel] for arranging to leave for Colorado. Did much paper work and also rode to the Rio Grande Gorge by two other women. The driver was not very reliable and M will not take this kind of recreation in the future.
[Actually, the driver of the car from Taos to the gorge was not two women, but a man who was a terrible driver and may have been a little tipsy.
The two women were at the gorge in the hot springs. I was glad to see them there when we got down to the river. I asked them if they’d be driving back to Taos when they were done soaking, but they said they’d be headed in the other direction. As much as I would have loved to soak in those hot springs, I did not want to get in the water with that creepy man who drove me there. So while he got in the water, I made up some excuse why I was changing my mind about wanting to soak in the springs.
Angels were again looking out for me, as just a few minutes later, a nice family with kids on a driving vacation from Ohio came along to look at the springs. I asked them quietly and with fair urgency if I could please have a ride back to Taos with them.
They kindly obliged, and on the ride back to Taos, I explained that I did not feel safe in the presence of the drunk guy that brought me there.]