The Number Nine is But One Stop on a Southern U.S. Tour

I am so thrilled that my college roomate’s free-spirited son, Peter Wackernagel, and his traveling companion, the very smart Julia Rose Golomb, included The Number Nine as one of the stops along their trek across the southern route of the US. They arrived here after having stayed in Truth or Consequences New Mexico scoping out Branson’s space endeavors there. While I worked in my office, they used the front porch to catch up on their work; Julia completing a work project in environmental mediation and Pete polishing his article for the Montague Reporter about his space odyssey in the desert of New Mexico.

I could fairly feel Ric beaming in seeing The Number Nine being used as a way station for creative souls making their way in the world. This was his vision for this haven in the desert. The weather was heavenly and each day more flowers popped out accompanied by a concert of birdsong that at times made us crack up for its pure joyousness.

Pete and Julia inaugurated the swimming season by jumping in the pool after heating up in the sauna AND hot tub. I followed suit and found the 65 degree water temperature invigorating knowing I would be stepping out into the 90 degree afternoon heat.

Pete writes this about the desert: “The desert is exciting to me because it feels like it is between eras of time.  Chronos is taking a break and the cambium of life is peeled away, allowing one to see back through time, periods and eras appearing like the rings of a tree.” Cambium – hmmm – a word not used often but in fact Ric’s exotic hardwood business name was Cambium Hardwoods – a nice synchronicity here.

Yes Pete, you get the desert and you can come back anytime you wish as long as you keep up the great cooking! And don’t forget our talk about helping me plan a squirrel proof vegetable garden for The Number Nine – maybe next year around this time?

Happy trails Pete and Julia! Best of luck in your endeavors and come back soon!