THE TURKEY OF SANTA ROSA

The Turkey of Santa Rosa. We’ll call her Rose.

Driving along Route 66 in New Mexico taking pictures of signs all morning, we found another one with a large empty parking lot with plenty of room for the trailer. As we pulled in I also spied something moving out of the corner of my eye.
”Is that what I think it is?”
Yes, yes it was.
A female wild turkey was staring into the door of a laundromat. Staring at her reflection? Looking for someone inside? Who knows.
I took some photos and we went down the hill to a grocery store there in Santa Rosa and at check out we asked the cashier about the turkey. Did she know about her? Did she have a name?
” Ah yes” she said, “She’s always up there. And sometimes down here. And sometimes she stops traffic.”
I often think about this bird and why she wanders around alone. And I think Santa Rosa might need a turkey crossing sign.
So if you find yourself on Route 66 going through that town, drive carefully and keep your eyes peeled for the Turkey of Santa Rosa.