Traveling down the I-10 yesterday...between New Mexico and Arizona....nursing a severe  carpal tunnel syndrome from
snapping pix...o yes...I have lots of them.. and the trip is not over yet.  Had to share a few before I get home..plus I
have the need to blog right now.  Just finished a grueling 6 hour drive from Tuscon to San Diego.  Well worth it,
yet another upgrade from the fine peeps at Hilton Honors...people..become frequent anythings, be loyal to a brand
if it suits you, and you, yes you will be rewarded.  Booked a 1 room basic king bed w/ pull out couch room here in
San Diego and we were rewarded at the end of the 6 hour ride with a one bedroom, 2 balcony, luxury suite...upgrade
upgrade,  it pays to be a loyal customer. 
  Here's a little Roadtrip item...stopped into a McD's for some
drinks on the 3 hour White Sands-Tuscon leg of the family vaca...love this stuff..10 cent jalapenos...a regional 
Southwestern menu item you will not see in NYC.  This is the stuff that travelers "eat" up...(bad pun, it's late).


A few more shots of the wilds of New Mexico and Arizona yesterday...



Waiting for the usual AFOODOBSESSION food tie-in with all of this?  Here it is.  At the Sunset Inn off Rt.70 in
Alamogordo, New Mexico, I spotted a sign that said CHICKEN FRIED STEAK SPECIAL...that's all I needed.
Any where in the South of the US is a good spot to get this regional American dish..so..we turned in.  Being
the locavoresque foodie that I am (esp. on this trip) one of the appetizers was this simple but phenomenal
Sour Cream and Green Chile dip with fresh homemade potato chips.  For the dip, simply saute 3 seeded and
diced green chiles in a little olive oil..salt ..when soft, let them cool to room temperature.  Add them to 2 cups
of good sour cream, plus 1 tsp. of fresh chives or scallion...salt, pepper...let meld together for about 2 hours
before serving...there..just like you're in New Mexico at your next party...

Time for bed, the San Diego Zoo awaits us in the a.m...I'll leave you with more sunset road pix....