Day Four: Hey, Kid!

We slept in for a bit, taking a precaution in case the town also didn't wake up at regular hours either. Since we didn't really have much of a meal the night before, we were pretty ravenous. Luckily for us, Fort Sumner is home to one of the best burgers I may have ever had in my life.

Stop for a few seconds and really look at this thing.

It's so fucking beautiful.

Most reviews of the Rodeo Grill rave about their burgers, but that is definitely not all this 5 year old, family owned establishment has to offer.

The owner and main chef, Jeff Cortese, is an incredibly friendly guy with a great sense of humor.

Since Husband and I were the only ones there, he and his daughter came and hung out with us for a bit, filling us in on the best places to visit, as well as what to avoid. I wish this place wasn't so far out, since I'd love to make a habit of visiting that restaurant.

After running my mouth with Jeff for a spell, we finally set off for what we came for - The Kid.

Correction - Billy The Goofy Lookin' Kid.

Seriously, all of the art in this place depicted him as sort of inbred looking and pigeon toed. I kind of felt bad for him.

By the time we finished exploring the eclectic museum, put together by donations from local families across the 19th and 20th centuries, we had no juice left to go spelunking for The Kid's true burial site (sorry Renae).

  

  

 

 

 There was an entire passageway dedicated to artifacts from The Kid's final days, as well as many historical anecdotes on the truth of his life. To be quite honest, my eyes sort of glazed over at most of it, as it was pretty redundant, and mostly focused on the day he died at the hands of the sheriff, shot in the darkness of his girlfriend's home.

 

The more interesting pieces surrounding his life were encased in glass (as they should be) which unfortunately meant I had little to no chance of photographing them well under the fluorescent lights in the building and my phone's limited abilities. 

Husband may have gotten some good shots, but you'll have to ask him about it over at his page since he's been elbows deep in Ultracade servicing lately. He may have posted about this trip already, but I haven't seen it.

I took a great interest in the more scientific and sociological displays from the past, like this barber's setup.

 

A perfectly preserved medicine cabinet, stocked with a housewife's go-to's. I ain't even mad about the crappy glare, it was too exciting not to capture. It's amazing how much has changed in a century, and at the same time how much has stayed the same...

I got a kick out of this one. I read the whole tableau and guffawed so loud, people stared. In a museum full of men, I apparently caught a lot of attentions as the only woman, and soon people came over to ask what I laughed at so hard.

"The Greatest Moments of a Girl's Life"

The Proposal, The Trousseau, The Wedding, The Honeymoon, The First Evening in Their Own Home, Their New Lives (depiction of their newborn)

Ahh, to be a girl with such lofty aspirations...

I also went to jail, for completely unrelated reasons - I swear!

There was an outdoor exhibit area as well, with antique carriages, kitchen sets, vehicles, and even gas pumps! The sunlight was too great for my meager eyes, so none of the shots came out legibly. *sad face*

Eventually I regrouped with Husband, as we had been separated in our pursuits of different interests. He hung around The Kid more, and I had spent much more time in the rest of the exhibits.

We set off for Carlsbad, in the naive hope to check out a Victorian home turned restaurant/hotel. Sadly when we arrived they were booked, so we passed through to the next available hotel. Little did we know, there was a convention in the area and almost everyone was full. With some friendly guidance (thank you hotel staffers, you didn't have to do that) we finally settled into the edge of town near a small restaurant district.

It was already pretty late (again), but we managed to squeeze our way in to Yellowbrix French restaurant. We figured it was quieter there because it was a newer place, and people were flocking to the more established restaurants with reputations. 

Not to be a total hater, but the real reason was the lofty prices for relatively bland excuses for French cuisine. I had a sad after this meal, mostly out of surprise, especially with all the beautiful atmosphere.

 Had this been an "American" place with slightly lower pricing, it would have been perfect. Good portions, interesting plating, and decent food.