How Tim Allen, John Travolta, and Martin Lawrence Stole Our Millkshakes
Wednesday, October 11th, 2006
We’ve been in Albuquerque for the past few days. For some reason we both have a soft spot for the place and we’ve been revisiting our old haunts from when we lived here during our 2004 campaign trail travels. To our surprise, a lot of the places that we frequented a mere two years ago no longer exist.
For example: there’s an incredibly cute artists’ community on the turquoise trail that connects Albuquerque to Santa Fe. It’s a little town called Madrid. Actually, “little” doesn’t do it justice — it’s miniscule. It consists of one street. But it’s one of the best streets around — filled with art galleries, a sparse general store, a biker tavern… and… until recently, the best fountain shop on the face of the planet. This little fountain shop (more aptly described as a shoppe perhaps) served soda, which it called phosphates, the most amazing chili dogs, and the best malted milkshakes I’ve ever tasted. I’ve been dreaming about this place ever since we left New Mexico.
So yesterday we took a trip to Madrid with the express purpose of drinking malted milkshakes and eating chili dogs. To our dismay, the fountain shop(pe) of our dreams was no longer there. However, across the street there was a new establishment. A cute little adobe storefront called Maggie’s Diner. We walked over, hoping to drown our sorrows in second-rate malted milkshakes. But our dreams were dashed again. On the door of Maggie’s Diner was a sign that read “This is a movie set. We’re not open for business.” Excuse me? What movie, might I ask, is being shot in little old Madrid, New Mexico? Some internet research answered my question: “Wild Hogs” with Tim Allen, John Travolta, and Martin Lawrence. According to the New Mexico Economic Development Project, ‘“Wild Hogs” is a comedy about a group of frustrated middle-aged biker wannabees who hit the open road in search of adventure, only to encounter a real life biker gang. On their journey they learn the important lessons of life and about each other.’
Oh.
So, Megan and I were left with only one choice for lunch — the actual, real-life biker’s tavern at the end of Madrid’s one little street. Although on other occasions, back in 2004, this tavern had been crawling with Harley’s, yesterday it was filled with a lot of retired couples who had come to the area for Albuquerque’s Annual Balloon Fiesta. They were somewhat less intimidating. But, even though we didn’t encounter any real life biker gangs, we’re still hopeful that we’ll learn the important lessons of life — just like Tim Allen, John Travolta, and Martin Lawrence do. Here’s hoping.
-Sarah (with help from Megan)
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