Even being Hispanic...Mexican-American to be exact... I had never been part of the celebrations that take place on this date. Sure I had seen them on TV and in movies but it was not until 2010 in Terlingua that I had the privilege to be part of them in person.
Like I mentioned I had every intention of being the designated driver but I changed my mind. Why? Call me paranoid if you like but as I was walking to my car after I got off to photograph the "other" cook-off...I caught the attention of a Sheriff's patrol vehicle.
I pulled over on the shoulder, let him pass me then made a U-turn as I decided to head back to CASI. He decided to turn around as well. I tried to see if it was only my paranoia...so I turned off at the Old Ghost town...I will be darn if he did not turn in too!
In order to "shake" him...decided to park and get off at the cemetery...he looked my way and continued on towards "The Porch". No one was there yet as the celebration takes place at dusk. I walked around the cemetery as I waited for the patrol car to head back to where ever. Decided I had had enough law enforcement attention for one day and went back to my camp.
What profile did I fit? Out-of town middle age woman wearing a back brace and taking pictures??? Except for the back brace I think there are plenty of middle age women taking pictures especially this time of the year...OK...call me paranoid if you must!
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Had to have been the back brace!! (grin)
ReplyDeleteI think that must have been it :D
DeleteI'm paranoid too, even just passing one.
ReplyDeleteI think more than paranoid... I am now traumatized!
DeleteWhat ever you do, don't clinch your butt-cheeks! I've always been a supporter of law enforcement, but after reading the story about the guy in New Mexico who endured 14 hours of anal probing and body cavity searches, all because the officer felt he was clinching his butt-cheeks in a suspicious manner, I don't think you are paranoid. I'm sure your officer was just trying to make sure you weren't lost. Yea, that's the ticket.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read about that guy in New Mexico I could not believe it...I mean things like that should not happen in the United States of America.
DeleteI too am a supporter of law enforcement but no one should have to endure what that guy had to go through.
I wrote several posts on things that took place on Saturday, Nov 2nd so I do not know if you got to read the one entitled "Lajitas Cemetery" that was the beginning of my encounters with LEO that day.
I think I had read it before all the comments. All the folks who approve of these tactics will just point to things like, If you don't have anything to hide, what do you have to worry about? or If we can keep just one drunk off the road... I call BS on all that. This is the same reason I oppose DUI checkpoints. Sure, they may catch a few drunks and even save some lives, but since they don't give us bumper stickers that say, "I'm not a drunk or a felon" and let us bypass the checkpoints, I say it is a violation of my rights.
DeleteGreat series of posts on the cook-off.
I totally agree with you Dave...could not have said it better myself!
DeleteThanks for the compliment on the posts.