The World's Largest Chili

A lengthy investigation of Las Cruces, New Mexico led us to a little hotel that was home to "The World's Largest Chili."  It was indeed very large, but much to my Ally's dismay it was not an actual, add-to-your-food chili.  To be exact, the motel was home to the world's largest chili sculpture.  But it was a BEAUTY!!  Lookie here.   I think the motel was called "The Red Chili Inn"  I'm not sure, but that sounds right and I don't feel like doing a Google search right now. 

The interior of the lobby looked like a small airport terminal from the 1980s (imagine "Airplane!") with high glass-paned walls at the entrance and directly across at the back door which lead to the courtyard/pool area.   The two side walls were white-washed with eclectic decor: a large coy painting, 3-D gecko-inspired artwork, some Southwest pottery, and of course history about the making of the chili.  They also have proudly displayed The Guinness Book of World Records Certificate for World's Largest Chili! 

It was no Ritz Carlton, not even La Quinta standards--their towels did not match (Brown, blue, bright orange, off-ish white).  But the weird stuff everywhere, including an Asian-inspired garden complete with a coy pond, and friendly  "We're family here" service was most charming.  They even greeted us at our door with a plate of chips and salsa--the plate was a sombrero with two complimentary cans of Diet Coke (At the big hotels this little treat from the mini bar would be $4 each). 

My daughters and I took some complementary coy food, disregarded the gate around the coy pond and walked right next to it when a friendly host said, "I'm so sorry, but our insurance doesn't allow guests right next to the pond, you can feed them from right over here if you'd like!"  Even this little correction was mild and kind. 

In the morning we woke up to the sweet smell of roasting chili!  It wasn't our imagination, or some trick to keep us at the hotel.  There was an actual chili-roasting plant just around the corner.  Fate would have it!

This is the girls the very next morning:

 

So...maybe not the place for a good rest, but a cultural experience to be sure! 

Next on the journey: The Great State of Texas!