The 2nd annual President's New Mexico Tour.
By John Katz

'Twas a dark and rainy morning (when I got up) as I headed over to Chris Kellner's place to hop aboard the black Bahnstormer for our rendezvous at the Decatur Texaco. We met our merry band of pranksters to start our epic journey . There to join us were Don & Joyce Bonderant, Our Fearless Leader Don Lenschow (without the lovely Kay this time), Tom & Marti Taff, and Bobby & Molly Ward.

There we were, bleary eyed and ready to roll. We set off (and this may be a club record) on time!

At 7:30am. This Healey trip had the novelty of having actually 2 real healeys amongst the five cars in the caravan! Bobby , and our Fearless Leader electing to drive the real thing!

Our first stop was at Wichita Falls for breakfast. Our group, being the gourmets that they are, elected to dine at a swank little bistro called "Denny's". We all scarfed down our chow, and after much farting and burping (I warned 'em, but Noooooo,) we got back into our cars and were back on the road north (287) a well-traveled route for our club.

After a while, I was getting the shakes so we stopped off in Quanah for a much needed Dairy Queen (I restrained myself with a medium cone) and some Gas. Everyone was humming along in fine style (and there cars were running well too). As we drove through Memphis, I was overcome with emotion as we passed a Dairy Queen that was CLOSED!!! (Its UN-American).

After more Gas stops in Amarillo, and Clayton, NM, we reached our goal in Raton ,NM, where we met up with Ben & Judy Fryrear in their immaculate Morgan +8. That night we had dinner at Domingo's Mexican food were we scarfed down all manner of enchiladas, beer, and assorted other stomach churning stuff. We then hit the sack, ready for the next day's adventure.

On our way from Raton to Cimarron on highway 64, we passed (coming the other way) the biggest collection of motorcycles I have ever seen. They were streched out over a mile long and about three abreast. Some tour they were on! But I was very impressed that not one of them gave me the finger!.

It was then on to Cimarron for gas and some of our brave group tried the donuts too. There were then a couple of photo-op stops at Gravel Pit Lakes and Eagle Nest Lake. This broke up the driving and gave everyone a chance to stretch their legs. The scenery by this time was getting really eye-catching and I was glad I wasn't driving so that I had a chance to see it.

We then stopped at Red River for gas. Not to be outdone by Bob Lindsey, our Fearless Leader decided to put 4 gallons of diesel in his Healey (to combat vapor lock at high altitude, he tells me...) Realizing his error, he decides to fill the remainder of his tank with regular (in the interest of combustion), gingerly fires it up, and off we set. Chris and I are riding at the back of the group out of courtesy and to pick up any errant bits of Healey that might fall off (none did),

Now, the Bahnstormer has a very sophisticated ventilation system, but it could not filter out the diesel fumes coming out of our Fearless Leader's Healey, so when we arrive in Taos, (our first stop) he decides to drain the tank and fill it up with the appropriate fuel.

We then assembled for a great lunch at a place called Ogilvies, where a much-chastened Fearless Leader joined the rest of us. Then, it was then back to the hotel for beer and German pretzels (thanks Tom) before we assembled for a great dinner at the Trading Post. We all stuffed ourselves silly and had a great old time.

The next morning we headed towards Dixon, were several of our group stocked up at the La Cherepada winery. We illegally got the owner out of bed to serve us up some samples of his best hooch. After we left (several of the cars listing heavily rearwards) we headed through Espanola, and White Rock. There was the most amazing scenic overlook I have seen since the club visited Bryce Canyon in Utah. It was really breathtaking! I even took some snaps!

We drove on past the Valle Grande Caldera, the worlds largest crater (so it said on the sign). It was really amazing to see this valley that was the remains of an exploded volcano (especially as it was only a week old). After that, we stopped for lunch at Jemez Springs. The setting was really perfect and gave the group some time to relax and enjoy the grub.

Next, we then headed to Santa Fe and found a place to stay. I made a mad dash towards the flea market there, but arrived too late to find what I was looking for. Then we all reassembled at the hotel and headed out towards Ben & Judy's house for a really great evening. They laid on a really smashing spread for us, and the location and view was really spectacular. Hey wait a minute! I thought I was supposed to have a lifestyle like this!. So that was the end of our stay in Santa Fe.

We headed back to the hotel ready for our morning departure. Our Fearless Leader and the rest of the gang wanted to get an early start and leave at 6.30.am!. Me, of course, bellyaching and whining, insisted on leaving later, so to shut me up they all agreed.

The next morning I was up at 4.30am for some reason. I called our Fearless Leader and said, "Hey Don, I'm ready. Lets go". After lots of cussing and moaning about me being such a pain, and why didn't I act my age (I WAS, 3!) we set off at 6.30am.

Now a cold front had blown through at night, (it was the wind that had gotten me up) and the outside temperature was 36degrees. When you are travelling at 70MPH gave a wind chill factor of about -240degrees!

Those brave souls with their tops down really got frosted!.

We stopped at the dreaded Clines Corner for what they told us was breakfast. After many trips to the bathroom to recover, we resumed our trip home, which was uneventful and very long.

With gas stops at San Jon and Childress (scene of the famous '92 supermarket shooting), we had a Dairy Queen as a Tribute. THEN, we all headed home.

This was my first NM trip, and my hat is off to our Fearless Leader, Don Lenschow for a great route.

See ya all next Year!