Talking Old Times in Old Town

By Stan Rolfsrud, Trailboss

You can't get much closer in an alphabetical seating arrangement than Hoffman -- Hoffland so it is not surprising that Diane and Harland got to know each other pretty well over the years in the Alexandria school system. What is surprising is that the pair is still trading lead -- most recently at the class reunion, though Diane says she only stabbed Harland by accident when he turned toward her suddenly.

Harland knew exactly what I was talking about when I brought up the pencil-poking feud that has simmered for over 45 years now, but his only comment was that he was just surprised no one has yet suffered lead poisoning.

I let the subject drop, there were so many other things to cover. Like Miltona's David Serie dating Harland's future wife, Carolyn Wright.

Harland and Carolyn moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, around 1987. He'd been working for Cowing-Robards in Alexandria and took an opportunity for a new job and has been here since. They love it.

Kathleen and I were driving back from Arizona last weekend, slicing diagonally through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and the rest. After a hard day on the trail, we looked forward to a rendezvous in Albuquerque Thursday night. We met the Hofflands at La Hacienda in Albuquerque's old town, an authentic quarter with a town square, cathedral, Native American street merchants and tons of atmosphere.

The food was authentic Mexican. Plenty of hot stuff. We enjoyed carnitas and sopaipillas and flan, washed down with margaritas and Dos Equis.We laughed a lot as our hosts related stories and answered questions. Here are some details we learned:

*Harland and Carolyn go "up north" in New Mexico and enjoy the outdoors in a beautiful setting near a river.
*Once a year Harland goes fishing in Canada.
*Harland used to go ice fishing on Lake Mary with math teacher Morris Butler.
*Harland entered the Army after a stray dog crossed his path and he flew over the handlebars of his motorcycle, breaking the hands he needed to continue on in drafting school and thereby losing his IIS deferment.
*Harland always knew that David Serie had once dated his wife, Harland and Carolyn had their first date at Dave's sister's house in Miltona 41 years ago on Feb. 11. Only recently Harland learned that David Serie had also dated a fellow classmate from the Class of 1965. Who was that classmate? Here's a clue: Both David and Harland now have daughters with her first name. Honest.
*Harland's grandchildren are trying to teach him to golf after his first attempt at the reunion last summer.
*Both Harland and Carolyn had Erling Rolfsrud for English.

The time flew by and we had to head north in the morning, where the temperature was colder than Albuquerque. It was indeed chilly in New Mexico too, but there was no snow.

"Did you notice that there weren't any mosquitoes?" chided Harland. "And tell Obert there actually is water in New Mexico."

That very well may be, Harland, but the only water we ever saw in The Land of Enchantment was in the glass we used to chase the hot chili.

Photos: Top photo, Harland, Carolyn, Kathleen, Stan; middle photo, Grandpa Harlan brought pictures to show, this one of the grandkids at a driving range trying to teach grandpa how to swing; bottom photo: our photographer and hot chili server