Alaska is unknown territory to me;
New Mexico, however, was my home for many adult years.
And although the two states are wildly different on the surface,
New Mexico attracts tourists in their multitudes,
as well as adventurers,
and it has its own myths and traps.

As well as a lot of uncultivated square miles.

Maybe Alaska and New Mexico are two places
in the same state of mind?

Oh, and as to musicians:

New Mexico in the summertime used to be pretty sensational,
as there is the Santa Fe Opera and all these other
festivals and things.

Then the summer is over, the Opera folds up their tents so to speak,
and, oh, what musicians have got to do
to live through those other nine months.
I know a few stories ...