Sunday, April 19, 2009

Today started like this. About 6:45 I was on my way toward town to get MMG her Sunday newspaper. As I crested the edge of the plateau and could see the valley, I realized that there numerous hot air balloons in the sky!

I went back and got MMG and for the next 45 minutes we chased these balloons.

Safe Landing!

And suddenly it was over! The breeze began to blow and by 8:00 all the balloons had landed and the chase crews were out gathering them up. It sure was beautiful while it lasted.


Later in the morning we headed up the road to Santa Fe for some sightseeing in the old city.

Here are some pictures:








It was not all about the architecture. It was Sunday see and be seen time, too. This teeny bopper was at least 30 years old.........

And there was history:

Pretty self explanatory. Click on the picture to read the inscription and go here to learn the importance of the Santa Fe Trail in American history.

And Tradition:


Along the left is the Palace of the Governors and under the roof covering the side walk are dozens of Native Americans selling their handmade jewelry and pottery, continuing a tradition that dates back to the 1800's.

And there was all kinds of Art:


I especially liked these Shamans. We had seen the original, much larger, statue at the Seminole Canyon State Park and Historical Site in Texas several years ago. You can go here to see the original and a picture of the 4000 year old pictographs which inspired the artist to create these works.

Of course not all the art was as edifying or serious. MMG was already to bring this beauty home but I just couldn't lift it!


I wish I had a picture of my favorite work of art that we purchased today -- a Haagen-Dazs Mint Chip Dazzler!, but I was afraid to put my spoon down long enough to work the camera because MMG and I were sharing!

Then on home again where we checked maps and sights to see and decided to extend our stay here to Wednesday.....

Be Well.

Remember, to enlarge a picture, just click on it!

MMG and DDG

Saturday, April 18, 2009 Albuquerque Old Town

A beautiful day today! Bright, sunny, warm, really pleasant.

We decided to visit Albuquerque's Old Town this morning and by arriving early found a parking place which made many people envious of us as they arrived for the Founders Day Celebration that was scheduled for Old town that day.

Old Town is on the site of the original crossroads of the Albuquerque area, centered around the Plaza which fronts the San Filipe de Neri Church which has been serving the area since 1706. The original church burned and was rebuilt in 1793. It is the oldest building in the city.





Here are some of the street scenes:

Wood Xylophone, I think.

Albuquerque Mounted Police.

What other police mounties ride Percherons? Seems appropriate since their historical use was as battle mounts. Must admit they are intimidating up close!!

After wandering the streets and having a lunch in the church forecourt, we headed over to the Albuquerque Biological Park. While the Park encompasses several attractions, we were most interested in the Aquarium and the Botanic Garden.

At the Botanic Garden, there was not much in bloom except some of the, dare I say it?, cacti. Only one picture though. I call it "Bad hair Day". this blossom was on a plant that looked more like a small tree than the usual ground hugging cactus.

We visit Aquarii whenever we get a chance and for a small city, the Albuquerque Aquarium is tops. The experience starts as you approach the Aquarium.

The Guardians of the Aquarium


My Favorite Guardian

Everyone's Favorite "Save the Kitty" Statue


The Pelicanlady found a new best friend.

Not all youngsters want to risk fingers to open the door!

Inside the Aquarium. It is really tough to take pictures in the dim light of the aquarium and I'm not happy with the results, but just to prove we were there, here are a few:

Green Eel

Unicorn Fish

Uglyfish and Remora

Ol' Smiley!

We wrapped up the day by going to Tingley Beach Park and playing on the Tree Root (it's real!)

Tree Elves in the Window.

Caught the Tree Elves !

And then we had to go home so MMG could mend the holes in the seat of my jeans where my butt was dragging........

Love to All.

MMG and DDG

Another catch Up -- Friday April 17, 2009

Nice Day! -- Not!

Cold, Rainy, Sleety, Windy......high about 43......

Slush on the windshield; tumbleweeds on the fence.

It takes a pretty good breeze to break the tumbleweeds off and start them tumbling across the prairie. The 25-35 MPH winds we've been having really gets a good crop going. I guess they tumble forever or until they run into a fence, whichever comes first. These came to a fence first.

We spent part of the day perusing the wares at an eclectic place called Jackalope, where I learned that pigs can, indeed, fly.

We earned a "been there, done that" badge for visiting the Good Sam Rally this afternoon. Good Sam is an RVer organization which sponsored and ran this "Rally" which attracted at least 10000 RVers to Albuquerque to attend 4 days of seminars, entertainment, displays of products, and exposure to the numerous "extraction sites"* set up in the Rally area. It was reported on the local TV station that over 6000 RVs were parked in the Albuquerque Balloon Park where the attendees were hooked up to electricity and water. We saw enough to know that we don't ever need to pay (approx. $350) to attend one in the future.

*A place where sales people extract your $ from your wallet.

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and warmer.

MMG and DDG

April 14 -- Moving Day

Alpine, TX to Albuquerque, NM. One day. US 67-90 north to I-10, then northwest through El Paso, TX to Las Cruces, NM, then I-25 north to Albuquerque. 503 miles, 62.3 gals., 8.1 MPG.

Every time I type in the map info, I'm so thankful we're paying around $2.00/gal. instead of the $4.50+ we had to pay last year!

The high point of the day was the Pecan Grove near McNary, TX that we drove beside for over 3 1/2 miles. The grove was only about 1500 feet deep as it was sandwiched between the Interstate and the railroad. To this former farmboy, that was one impressive "orchard".

Later, as the Rio Grande Valley broadened, we drove by many pecan groves that were much larger, but not another that could match the 3 1/2 miler!

After a lifetime of equating Pecans with south Georgia and Alabama, this was a real surprise.

MMG says no more whining about the winds, so I won't mention that it blew hard all the way....

More later.

MMG and DDG

Spring in the Desert

The rest of April 13.......

After the tour of the McDonald Observatory, we drove through the surrounding Davis Mountains in hope of seeing some of the wildlife we had seen on a previous trip, including Desert Big Horn Sheep and Javelinas.

Desert Big Horn Sheep


Javelina

No luck with wildlife, which I sincerely hope is not a sign of things to come when we get to Yellowstone NP!

Did get a couple of shots which triggered my imagination. Here's one:

Texas Pyramid

B.C.'s (comic) Used Wheel Sales Lot

Moving right along, we then went to the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Research Institute. We couldn't really see that they were doing any research, but the 1 1/2 mile hike through the desert flora they have collected was an education in what grows and how it does it in these desert conditions. There is also a cactus garden that was in full bloom.

Following the advice of a reader who was kind enough to write to advise me to just post all my desert flower pictures at once (his term was more like "blow it out and get over it"), here goes!

I can't promise that there won't be more, but that's all for now.

And that's the story of how in one day went from almost touching the furthest reaches of outer space to admiring the beauty that has been put on the floor of the Chihuahaun Desert!

Our best to you all.

MMG and DDG