Not in Los Alamos, New Mexico

We are enjoying this area and are trying to see all the sights of northern New Mexico, but we seem to be going around in circles a bit. Partly because the weather just changed...hail, almost-snow, rain, and really cold mornings..and we can't decide if it's time to leave the high country. Should we go south and check out the hot springs in Truth or Consequences? Or stay and check out Jemez Springs. just over the hill from Santa Fe? So, we keep milling around, but hey, what does it matter (see, I'm getting into this finally!)?

Today we ended up in Los Alamos. Briefly. To use a term of slang that fits perfectly, it weirded me out. The Stepford-like feeling we got from everyone and everything. The toll plaza that was manned yet didn't charge anything. The dozens of buildings and businesses that were obviously related to the many numbered "technical areas" indicated on road signs on all sides of town or to the LANLs "Los Alamos National Laboratories." The Bradbury Science Museum. And the banners on the lampposts sporting the Los Alamos tourism tagline: Where Discoveries Are Made. I don't want to know what they discovered, and even if I did, I don't think they would tell me.

I tried to take more photos of weird things but there was someone following us in a white pickup with an insignia on the side. It's not paranoia if they're really after you. We are so outta there. Back to the nearby mountains, local hot springs and a wonderfully deserted remote campsite.