Hard to believe it's been five (going on six) years since I made full time RVing a lifestyle. While some say time flies, for me it rolls. Living on wheels provides me the ultimate control for adapting to climate change (mostly seasonal). It's true. One of the best ways to winterize my RV is parking it by a cactus, palm tree, or both. Life is good? Truly.
For the past six winters I aimed southwest. It's been a treat to enjoy some local fare along the way. If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, then NM green chilies got that memo. Yet I somehow managed to keep missing opportunities to indulge in the ubiquitous green chili cheeseburger. Last week that became more of a goal.
On my way north from El Paso towards Albuquerque I followed the Rio Grande River. That took me through Hatch, NM. Sparky's is an iconic Route 66 burger joint. I had an inside tip that their GCC would be worth the stop. The good news was timing my arrival around noon. No better time for lunch. The bad news was I arrived on Wednesday. They were closed. Dry swallowing my tummy grumbling disappointment, I settled for some kitschy Americana eye candy.
Proceeding north I hatched a consolation plan. After checking out Caballo Reservoir I settled into a high campsite in the SP overlooking Elephant Butte Lake. The funky Walmart in Truth of Consequences sported a good meat counter. I selected a glutinous sirloin and returned to camp. I was blessed with good weather that evening so I broke in my new Cadac Safari Chef grill. Fresh jalapeno cornbread in a cast iron skillet on the Scamp stove nicely complimented the steak dinner. Happy tummy.
Thursday. Sure I could've doubled back to Sparky's in Hatch. Instead, I continued north. Starting with a visit to Bosque Del Apache NWR. Mostly chatting with resident volunteers behind the VC counter. A big dinner the night before resulted in a light breakfast. But chewing the fat worked up another appetite for lunch. So I rolled up the road to San Antonio at High Noon. Then made a B Line for the Buckhorn. Bobby Olguin greeted me at the door. I settled into a booth and ordered his famous green chile cheeseburger.
How was it? Excellent. I couldn't make myself finish all the greasy fries. Just enough to round out the experience. And I could've done with the boob tube over my shoulder blaring an episode from the redneck, gator hunting channel. It was a brief exchange with Bobby when I settled up at the bar that sorta made up for mindless TV punishment.
Bobby asked where I was from. After all these years on the road, such a simple question still gives me pause. Everywhere. Nowhere. I've yet to find a satisfactory answer as simple as the question. My answer that day amounted to living on the road for several years. Traveling by RV to see our great country first hand. Bobby said he was envious. I reminded him what a good thing he's got there. We both smiled broadly.
I left the Buckhorn with not just a happy tummy but happy lips and tongue as well. With a warm tingly feeling all over I snapped some pix of the Buckhorn's own kitschy facade. It's really kinda charming in its own way.
Like other regional favorites, of course, it's important to keep an open mind. And palate. This experience will surely hold a special place in my heart. Er stomach. Whether or not this green chile cheeseburger will become my gold standard, time will tell. While I still can't personally vouch for Sparky's in Hatch (y'all need better hours!) the burger/experience was definitely worth the stop.
