Mar 30 2008
Truth or Consequences…
Tomorrow it’s “back to the grind,” as my Spring Break is over. I can’t say I’m ready to go back to work, and without having a “designated destination” I feel I piddled my time off away.
Yesterday, I took another drive up to Truth or Consequences (locally known as “T or C”). Before I went for my hot mineral soak, I wandered around in the downtown area. The vibrancy of the town is a thing of the past - it’s more of a refuge for serious artists and selected individuals who want to escape from the mainstream of life.
The town is built over an natural aquifer of geothermal springs (flowing at an estimated rate of 99 liters/second) - where once Chiricahua Apache leader Geronimo sought refuge after his battles. At one time there were over forty natural hot spring bath houses, but now there are approximately twelve (with a couple in renovation). My personal favorite is Riverbend Hot Springs, since the pools are outdoors.
Ralph Edwards created the popular game show “Truth or Consequences,” and in 1950 the little town of Hot Springs formally adopted the name of the popular radio show. For the next fifty years, Edwards would visit the town for the “Fiesta” in his honor. Not as quiet as the current of the underground geothermal springs is the art of Delmas Howe, who still resides and works in T or C. Although famous for his series “Rodeo Pantheon,” much more controversial and striking is his series “Stations: A Gay Passion.” Viewing some of Howe’s work from Stations, one can easily see the inspiration for the episodes in the early episodes in the L-Word involving “Provocations.”
All-in-all, T or C is a seemingly sleepy town. However, there are currents of energy running beneath the surface…
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When I lived in Denver and we made our regular trips back to Tucson to visit family, we always drove through T or C. And, of course, we’d have to stop to eat just because it had such a cool name!
Sometimes piddling is just what you need to do, you know? It’s OK not to have a destination once in a while.
I remember “Provocations” from the early episodes. Oh my!
I do hope you enjoyed your visit to T or C. The hot mineral soak sounds divine.
Looks like an amazing place. I have gone to Chena hot springs in Alaska in the winter. Soaking in the warm water (after running out there in twenty below degree weather!!) is simply amazing. The aurora is out and so so bright. It is about 45 minutes from the nearest city (Fairbanks), so there are no city lights to compete with the northern lights.
I know what you mean….I always feel a push to go explore….even without a destination….I know you are a travel junkie and you only have a couple of months before you are on the road again…hot springs sounds wonderful……
Every time you mention hot springs I want to go.
At least you get spring break off. I work for UNM and we certainly don’t get spring break off….we at least do get Christmas to New years though.