And while there, I finally started up my Etsy shop for The Traveling Showgirl.
Link to my Etsy Shop which is still in its infancy stage:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheTravelingShowgirl?ref=hdr_shop_menu
When I rolled outta town I was determined to get away from the big city, be in nature and get away from the majority of the people.
I looked at the road map and decided to go a route that took me in the direction I needed to go but a lesser traveled path that lead to Faywood Hot Springs, NM.
Web Site for Faywood:
http://www.faywood.com/
They had a hiring sign up so when I drove up I asked about it. I was going to follow up on that but found out over night that the dust and the mesquite plants in the region just kicked my allergy ass too much. I had a headache after a few hours from the mesquite alone, so it's not a place I could call home sadly... nice as it is! I was tickled to find about a week later this video that my friends from Isis Queen from the Barb Wire Dolls had made while at Faywood!
Isis Queen of Barb Wire Dolls gives a tour of
Faywood Hot Springs
Next I ended up in Gila National Forest at the suggestion of Aida. It was a long, winding drive through many narrow roads and it took a lot longer than I originally figured it would. But as you can see by the videos I shot, I think it was worth it.
I hiked to a natural hot springs off the river which forced me to cross a river a few times. That in itself was VERY challenging for me... with the no swimming and all that. But I'm happy to say I did it. I didn't end up staying too long in the springs though as the light was growing long and the trail back was not something I wished to undertake in the dark... or alone it turns out. There was a family I'd seen in the parking lot before the hike. I kind of followed them to the springs since I didn't really know where I was going exactly and we all soaked together. They were a very nice bunch of 3 out exploring the Silver City region. When they left the springs, so did I. I believe I could have managed on my own, but honestly I felt better with them there with the water crossings. But this time I left my gym shoes ON! They are still very muddy but at least they dried in a few days... ha!
I dry camped at a site I'd found earlier on my way to the springs hike. It was fairly quiet though there were a few others camped there as well. The climate was much cooler for the higher elevation, so soon as the sun went down it got downright cold. I was in fur hat and had a long fur coat covering my fur blanket... and was still cold. Nothing like a severe change in temps from the sweltering, dry heat of Phoenix eh?!
I headed to see the Cliff Dwelling ruins later than intended, but I did make it so that is all that really matters.
FB Page for Gila Cliff Dwellings:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gila-Cliff-Dwellings-National-Monument/153184661361723
I documented the trip save for a few chats with volunteer rangers up at the ruins themselves.
I didn't want to put anyone on the spot by just showing up with my camera rolling. I talked to two nice rangers, the second named George. When he saw me, he gave me the strangest look... and I couldn't figure out what was wrong, or why he was confused by me. Then he asked if I was Marie. Apparently, I am a look a like for a good friend of his who doesn't even live in the country... hence his confusion at seeing me appear all of a sudden. It sparked a good conversation and he showed me some special things that you only normally see if you take a proper tour. I felt very special just being there but to have such a nice meeting made it even better... so I at least took a pic with him for posterity's sake.
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| Talking with George, one of the volunteers at The Gila Cliff Dwellings |
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| the stairs leading up into one of the bigger dwelling areas... |
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| at the top of the stairs and moving forward... |
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| and then looking down to your right.... |
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| one of a few informational placards.... |
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| and another. |
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| ...then this little pretty butterfly was feasting on fresh pollen on the walk back. |
After the hike, I stopped at the the Gila Hot Springs Campground where I could plug into electric and hit another local spring nearby that night. Ah... a shower too!! Quite the luxury these days!
I had no cell phone signal at all for two days, so when I did reach the edge of the park lands I had several messages. One of them was a follow up to my application at Riverbend Hot Springs in Truth or Consequence, NM.
Riverbend Web Site:
http://www.riverbendhotsprings.com/
I was to stop there that afternoon and was quite rushed to press on and meet them. As it turns out, it wasn't the right spot for me after all as they have a resident cat AND are doing some renovation/expansion which involves new building materials that I can't be around for long. But they are very nice there and the manager gave me a free soak for making time to stop and meet them... so that was nice. SO hot though!! Turns out I'm more of a mountain springs girl at heart.
Then I was headed to my immediate, final destination of Albuquerque. It was a town that I had only previously driven through en route to other places, so this was my first chance to explore it a bit. It was a bit cooler than Phoenix had been but I was again in the desert valley... and I didn't feel too well for it. I had much last minute costume repair and updating to do so was busy the whole day Saturday leading up to the show with Burlesque Noir.
Burlesque Noir Web Site:
http://burlesquenoir.com/
The Launch Pad is a nice venue with a good sized stage and the show went very smoothly due to the professionalism present all around. Fun was indeed had by all and the night simply rushed by!
Launchpad Web Site:
http://www.launchpadrocks.com/
Afterwards a handful of us headed to the Rebelle household to chill and view the video of the show we just completed. I left at 5:30am and was more than wiped out the next day from the night's adventures. Big thanks to Holly Rebelle, David Rebelle and ALL the members of Burlesque Noir for having me! It was a pleasure!
By the way, I can't let mention of the Launchpad go by without noting that my good friends from West Virginia - Karma To Burn - played there recently. It's amusing that in the last few months we've separately performed on the same stages in different towns. So in fond memory of the recent Denver, CO show, here is a snippet of their show - the 3 new songs on the set list:
Karma To Burn Web Site:
www.K2Burn.net
On a totally separate note, yesterday came the announcements of who got accepted or not into BHOF. My Monarch routine sadly didn't get in. My mistake I'm still working on getting over is that I should NOT have entered it for competition but simply to perform. There were over 500 applicants and less than 20 competition spots. Still, even knowing it was a true long shot, it still got me a bit down seeing the news.
I'm currently awaiting results for the Colorado Burlesque Festival submissions too... so fingers crossed they want pro butterfly, burlesque style activism at their event! The Pennsylvania Burlesque Festival notifications are yet to come out but should be coming soon. I have chosen to NOT apply for more festivals or actively try to book gigs in lieu of finding "real" work that will regularly pay bills.
At the moment, I am killing time just outside of town where I can park for 3 days without being asked to move I'm told... it's kind of a busy stop though, with lots of other people. But beggars, and believe me I am a broke bitch, can't be choosers. I'm trying to live cheaply for a few days until the show this Saturday which is again at the Launch Pad funnily enough. This time I play with Paris A Go-Go Burlesque Revue on April 4th so if you're in the region please stop and say hello!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1560120114237155/?ref=22&feed_story_type=22
My next stop is Colorado!! Which makes me happy for many reasons.
I will meander over mountains and through Pagosa Springs as I have a job interview at The Springs Resort! I just got the call today and am hopeful it might be something right for me... we'll see!
The Springs Web Site:
http://pagosahotsprings.reachlocal.net/?utm_source=ReachLocal&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=HotSprings
After that brief visit, I'll be working my way towards Colorado Springs where I have my last booked show of the moment with the lovely Echo at the Zodiac Venue & Bar!
https://www.facebook.com/events/784714661613221/?ref=22&source=22
Zodiac FB Page:
https://www.facebook.com/zodiacbar?fref=ts
I can't wait to see all my new friends there again! I'll be working a vending table until I do my Captain Jack Harkness/Torchwood tribute number near the end of the show. I have the goods that I have made for sale but also lovely, sparkly jewelry my sister Jeanette has crafted (I'm kind of a traveling sales girl... but I'm not very good at it yet/so far). I'm hoping to have a link to her new Etsy Shop to share with you all SOON!
