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ABQ 2024
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  • AJ Travels

ABQ 2024

This is a retrospective account of Shirley and my photographic adventures in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico. There was no down time to write daily notes. Read more
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  • Trip start
    October 4, 2024
    AJ TravelsABQ 2024Traveler
    The condo complex our AirBnB was in. This was our view from the deck.

    Travel Day to ABQ

    October 4, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Shirley and I were up early and on the road by 5 AM. GPS informs us it is a 11 hour drive which does not include our pit stops. We also gain an hour crossing the TX-NM border into Mountain Time. Travel and weather was good.
    We stopped in Lubbock for lunch at a Wendy's. I didn't pay too much attention to this couple who came in after us. After they sat down a few tables from us I began to think the man looked familiar. Lo and behold, it was Patrick with his wife, Judy. We already had plans with Patrick for photographic excursions around ABQ (Airport designation for Albuquerque). What are the chances we chose the same lunch spot en route!
    We arrived at about 5:30pm at the condo that Gary and his wife, Kay, had rented for all of us. They took us to a local Mexican restaurant for dinner.
    Gary had grown up in ABQ and lived there for several years with Kay. They were great at showing us around the area.
    Patrick and Judy had lived in the area for several years but not at the same time as Gary and Kay. Both Gary and Patrick are members of our photo club in Austin.
    My apology for these late entries. The days were packed with activities which were fun and tiring so I just didn't get anything posted.    Read more

  • AJ TravelsABQ 2024Traveler
    Some balloons begin set up and others partially ready to ascend
    11Specialty Balloons are a curious sightDarth VaderView of the vineyards and Sandia Mountains1Evening GlowDrone show sponsored by the Sandia Resort & Casino2

    Balloons Galore First Day

    October 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Up early to get to the Park and Ride for the ABQ Balloon Fiesta. It's still dark and as I check for my ticket I can't find it. It was supposed to in my email. I was never so glad to be in a very long line waiting to board buses. The line wound throughout the mall parking lot. I searched my files. My email is deleted after "X" number of days so the tickets were no longer in my phone. Gary suggested I email the Park & Ride support who responded to me right away even though it was 5:30 am. Unfortunately, she sent me my ticket for the next day. When I wrote back for this day's ticket the response wasn't so fast. Luckily, Gary was able to explain it easily to the older man guiding passengers to the bus and he just waved us on. It became a non-issue. Whew!
    The winds had been a little too much at the Balloon Fiesta so they got a later start than planned. The timing was perfect though so we were in time to see the first balloons inflate and ascend. Mass Ascension is so fun!
    This is the first day of the fiesta and there were crowds everywhere on this huge field, like 9 football fields huge! We all took a load of photos!
    We left the field a few hours later, got brunch and rested.
    Patrick and Judy invited us to join them in the afternoon for a wine-tasting at the Corrales Winery. It was hot in the sun and at first, I wanted to stay indoors. I was convinced to go outside where we sat under the shade of a willow tree. It was delightful! The air is so very dry. Nice relief from Texas humidity! Sucha wonderful time spent with friends.
    Gary took us back to the Balloon Fiesta for Evening Glow, a drone show and fireworks. At first Evening Glow was just a Candlelight event where the propane burners of the gondolas are fired up. Once the winds died down they inflated the balloons and lit the burners. Of course, they don't fly at night but it's a cool sight to behold.    Read more

  • AJ TravelsABQ 2024Traveler
    Balloons begin to inflate for the Mass Ascension
    In the air11Cabezon Peak with Patrick setting up for his panno shotsAnother formation in the area with Shirley taking photos

    Sunday Day 2 Balloon Fiesta

    October 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    Another early morning but the crowds and lines are much less. The weather was perfect for ballooning. Arrival by Park & Ride was uneventful with perfect timing.
    It was exhilarating to be on the field among all the balloons which were in the various stages of preparation to ascend. Again, Shirley and I took loads of photos. So many varieties, styles and colors of balloons. All show their sponsors. Some are for people to pay to ride, others not. Gary would be crewing with a pilot so he was able to catch a ride one day. Shirley and I stayed on the ground taking photos. It's pretty expensive to get a ride so I deferred. Gary says it is different than most people think.
    In the afternoon we met up with Patrick for a drive north of ABQ to a remote area. Our destination was Cabezon Peak, a volcanic plug (think Devil's Tower) to take pictures of it at sunset.
    It is BLM land, desolate with a road that got a bit dicey at times but overall, a fun adventure. There was a quarter moon that we tried to include in our photos after sunset but mine weren't successful.    Read more

  • AJ TravelsABQ 2024Traveler
    Senate Chamber New Mexico Capitol
    RotundaCapitol Entry door handlesRotunda and FlagsOne of the fabulous quilts on displayClose up of Buffalo made with recylced materialsCathedral Basilica of St. Francis of AssisiLoretto ChapelWares for sale on chapel groundsMiraculous StaircaseOldest House in the USBell inside San Miguel ChapelSan Miguel Chapel AltarAdobe buildings of the Loretto SpaSuiza Enchildas, Cilantro rice with beans. Yumm!

    3 The Day in Santa Fe

    October 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    We slowed the roll and slept in today. Shirley, Kay and I took the scenic New Mexico Hwy 14 north to Santa Fe. We passed through several interesting looking towns but didn't stop as our focus today was Santa Fe. We kept saying we could return if we had a free day. We didn't get a chance to go back.
    Santa Fe was busy. We split up so each of us could do our own thing. Shirley checked out the shops. Kay went to the Plaza to do some sketching. I headed for the capitol building.
    New Mexico's capitol is the only round US capitol building, aka Round House. There was a quilt show in the entry which had absolutely beautiful quilts. What impressed me most about this capitol was the displays featuring New Mexico artists' photographs, paintings, weavings and other textiles on the walls of every hallway.
    We all met Patrick and Judy at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Our intention was to enter and possibly take photos of the inside of the church. As luck would have it, the cathedral was closed for the day so we went onto the Loretto Chapel with its "Miraculous Spiral Staircase". Apparently, the miracle of this staircase is there is no center pole or side supports. Engineers is the group today disagree that it is an impossible feat.
    Our group split up so Shirley and I did more exploring. We found the Oldest House in the US then on to San Miguel Chapel. We returned to the capitol so Shirley could see the quilts and arts. Finally, we ended the day by getting a very good New Mexico Mexican dinner at La Fogata, recommended by Patrick. Two thumbs up!    Read more

  • AJ TravelsABQ 2024Traveler
    Soda Dam on the Jemez River
    Bandelier National Monument, Cliff Dwellings & Pueblo ruinsShirley on the ladder to a dwellingPatrick. The ladder is sturdyArlie on the same ladderAncient homeRock formation in Bandelier NMOverlook of the ruinsRanger talks to us about recent defacing activity in the dwellingPetroglyphsChollas are plentifulAspens using ICMAspens using ICMValles CalderaCyclists traveling along the Valles CalderaGreat CloudsPeaceful view of the calderaTrees of Valles CalderaThe view of ABQ will only get better as daylight fades

    4 Bandelier NM & Valles Caldera

    October 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F

    It's another early start. Shirley and I met Patrick for breakfast burritos and tacos then headed north to Bandelier National Monument. We hiked to cliff dwellings and pueblo ruins. We are beginning to learn about the people who lived in the area in the 1300's and their lives.
    Lunch was really tasty at the Visitor Center Cafe. I totally recommend it.
    We drove on to Los Alamos. I was just curious to see the community. Patrick told us about some of the research labs, etc. There were guards at the entrance to the city. "Take No Pictures!"
    After leaving Los Alamos we stopped along the road to take pictures of the aspens. They were the only trees changing colors. I used this opportunity to use "Intentional Camera Movement", aka ICM, to get a painterly effect of the trees.
    Valles Caldera National Monument is next on our route. A domain volcano which is monitored for volcanic activity. No worries, the Yellowstone super volcano will blow before this one. It was near closing time so we couldn't explore the area more.
    We drove back to Rio Rancho to pick up Judy and go to dinner at their favorite "Ranch Cafe". Patrick and Judy were staying with friends whose house had a beautiful view of the ABQ city lights as the evening set in.    Read more

  • AJ TravelsABQ 2024Traveler
    Acoma Pueblo landscape
    On top of the mesa is Sky CityRoad leads to Acoma Pueblo and Sky CityLa Ventana in El MalpaisBeginning of sunsetThe rocks of El MalpaisThe black lava bedsSunsetFiery sunsetReflections on the cloudsAlmost a half moon tonightGambling away the inheritance (Haha)

    5 La Ventana & El Malpais sunset

    October 9, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    We have the morning to explore on our own. Shirley chose a nursery to check out. Osuna Nursery was impressive. She found a rare spiral cactus to buy. In their backyard were planted agaves, cacti, including chollas. We spotted a road runner! A worker watering the trees told us that road runner was their pet.
    Next we shopped at "Jack-a-lope". This store had been mentioned to us a couple of times for lots of pottery. We had to check their wares and buy a few things.
    Our excursion today with Patrick was photographing the sunset. We met him in the afternoon and headed west on I-40. First stop was Acoma Pueblo. Sky City is here. We arrived after the last tour left for Sky City so went to an overlook to capture the dramatic landscape. There are rules in some pueblos about photographing the area and people. They have been so exploited that photography is prohibited in places. This one is OK to get from afar.
    Onward to El Malpais. We stop at La Ventana, one of the few arches that New Mexico can claim to have. It is impressive and mostly made of sandstone. Patrick has a place in mind a little ways away for capturing the sunset. There are clouds in the skies. We climb up on the rocks for a good spot. Below us are lava fields. El Malpais is Bad Country or Badlands in Spanish. Lava rocks are sharp and rugged, aka "Bad". We do our best to get sunset pictures. There are too many clouds but I got some fiery photos.
    On our way back to ABQ we grab dinner at a casino. Shirley pretends to gamble away her kids' inheritance as a joke.    Read more

  • AJ TravelsABQ 2024Traveler
    Mosaic tiled bench as we enter the Botanic Gardens
    Gray Madagascar Palm. InterestingView inside the Desert ConservatoryCactusDecorated for FallJapanese Koi pond and waterfallA vendor in Old Town1Zia Sun Symbol

    6 ABQ Botanic & Old Town

    October 10, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Sightseeing and Shopping today. Shirley and I embark out on our own to go to the ABQ Botanic gardens and then Old Town.
    The ABQ BioPark is impressive. There is a complex with a zoo and aquarium as well as the gardens. We wandered around the Botanic Gardens. It's is easy to see summer has been hard on some of the plants. The tropical conservatory is very humid but has lots of exotic plants.
    Just an aside, we are beginning to adapt to the super dry air in New Mexico. Our nasal passages have been complaining and our hands demand lots of lotion. Those symptoms are easing a bit.
    That humid conservatory was a bit uncomfortable for me. I was happy to enter the desert conservatory with all the dry air and desert plants. The gardens have fall decorations and they are developing an area they call Heritage Farms which looks like it will be a nice addition. The Japanese Gardens have a large Koi pond and waterfall.
    A short drive to Old Town. It's a shopping area and we concentrate on looking at the stores and wares. The Zia Sun symbol is the New Mexico symbol and sacred to the Zia people. We learn some of its meanings.
    After dinner we return to the condo to find out that Gary has tripped on a shadowed step. His foot is hurting but he's not thinking it is serious. I encourage him to see a doctor in the morning. His wife, Kay, is back in Austin. He has been able to go up in the balloon he crewed with this week but he knows the foot hurts too much to do any more crewing. There's a lot of heavy lifting, pulling and holding to get the balloons inflated and airborn.
    Shirley and I are not planning to go back to the Fiesta field. We have seen the balloons from afar most mornings. The winds have been calm and suitable for flying most days. There was one day that Gary's balloon pilot opted not to fly. He explained surface winds were fine but the mid level winds were faster and going a different directions and then there are the high level winds which could be fine or could be challenging.    Read more

  • AJ TravelsABQ 2024Traveler
    Doug, our guide, in traditional soldier's uniform
    The living space of a well-to-do familyYarn and loomAdobe ovensCooking area and tools to grind grainsDecorative doors mean to repel bad spiritsLadies' boots found at the general storeMedicinals sold at the general storeAdobe housingTorreon (tower) for defenseSandia Tram approaches with returning guests and to load usThe ride up the mountainRugged rocks and peaksThe other side of the mountain is for skiing in winterThe towns we probably drove through on our route to Santa FeSunset did not disappointThe city lights of ABQ. Jewels in the desert

    7 Las Golondrinas & Sandia Crest

    October 11, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Gary has told us about this living farm museum about an hour north of ABQ so we decide to check it out. Gary will go to Urgent Care to get his injuries checked.
    El Rancho de Las Golondrinas (my Spanish Dictionary translates this as The Ranch of the Sparrows) is a working ranch in the style of the ancestors. We are just in time for the next tour. Doug, our tour guide, is informative, a scientist and a historian who is fascinated by the superstitions. We get to see how the well-to-do lived, we learned the women were responsible for applying the adobe to the brick walls laid by the men, we see the cooking area, the live sheep used for their wool, the yarn making building, the chapel and so much more. He informs us about the various people who lived here beginning in the 1300's and how things changed when the Spaniards came, then the Mexicans and finally the US Americans. It's sobering to hear of the coercion to convert to Christianity, the changes in the rights allowed to the Native Americans and how they were all afraid of witches and sorcery. The decorative doors and some iron like a horseshoe placed over the door were to repel spirits and bad luck. The settlement was built to protect against invaders. Today they continue to grow crops and give the food to the local food pantry. They gather wool from the sheep then card it and spin it by hand. Shirley later buys some of that colorful yarn. We also learned that New Mexico is a bilingual state. English and Spanish are both official languages.
    Back at the condo Gary has learned he has a fracture of his 5th metatarsal. He get a boot to wear.
    Shirley, Gary and I have tickets for the tram to Sandia Crest this afternoon. So along with the large groups of others we finally get our turn to ride to the top. It's a 2 mile, 15 minute ride over three canyons and some minor ridges. We travel some 5,000 feet up to the top which is an elevation of about 10, 600 feet. The view is grand. Our goal is to get sunset pictures. The sun cooperated with a spectacular show. We get our photos then choose to eat at the restaurant. After dinner we see the ABQ lights laid out below and began taking more pictures before returning to lower elevations and our condo.    Read more

  • AJ TravelsABQ 2024Traveler
    Church at Quarai, Salinas Pueblo Missions NM
    I like the clouds in this one. It was pleasant in the shade. Hot in the sunAbandonedUsed for target practiceMore modern cars viewed through the windowless windowsChurch at Gran QuiviraFoliage at the pueblo at Gran QuiviraPueblos sat on a hillHidden kivas found under these ruins at Gran Quivira

    8 Salinas Pueblo Missions

    October 12, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F

    For our last full day in the ABQ area Gary, Shirley and I headed southeast to the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. There are three sites of ruins. We first visit Quarai. It is a tall red church ruins and adjacent structures. Shirley estimates it was at least 3 stories tall. We read more about the clash between the native Puebloans and the Spainards, especially in regards to religion and rule of law. The Puebloans had a well-run, harmonious life before the Spainards came.
    The ruins are about an hour's drive apart from each other. On our way to the second site we stop to take pictures of an old, abandoned pick-up truck which has obviously been used for target practice.
    Gran Quivira, our second set of ruins, is large and made of gray limestone. There are ruins of a church as well and a large settlement. Some of the kivas have been excavated but there were hidden kivas underneath the living quarters so the natives could continue their spiritual practices without the Franciscan friars' knowledge.
    We decide to not go to the third site called Abó. It's been a long enough day. Gary is learning to managed with his new boot. Not being able to bend the ankle makes driving harder so he would switch back to his shoe for driving and the boot for walking. He needed to figure it all out since he would be driving his big Ford truck back to Austin.
    We spend the evening cleaning out the fridge and packing. It is the first time we have had significant downtime. It's been quite a stretch of daily activities. All very enjoyable and interesting.    Read more

  • AJ TravelsABQ 2024Traveler
    Ghostly truck (using ICM, Intentional Camera Movement)

    Going Home

    October 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F

    Shirley and I pack our stuff Sunday morning then help Gary get his large suitcase down the full flight of stairs. He'll be able to manage the rest so we leave for home. We are splitting the 11 hour trip over two days. Staying the night in Lubbock.
    Santa Rosa, NM is always a good stop for a meal at the Silver Moon Cafe. It is along the interstate at the junction of Hwy 84 which we will take to Clovis and Lubbock. I recommend the Silver Moon Cafe for its good New Mexico Mexican food. There is a souvenir shop attached. We find items at a good price and each of us buy something.
    Hwy 84 is a good route and we ignore the GPS and take it south of Abilene. It is a good road, mostly divided highway two lanes each way. There was also less construction than on the other route. Hwy 70 & 153 may be a shorter route but not as easy of a drive.
    We've had a great trip, lots of balloons, the weather was agreeable, fantastic sunsets, great NM scenery, and educational in many ways. Yes, we even learned more about photography from our mentors, Gary and Patrick.
    Albuquerque streets are laid out in a grid so navigating it was easy. It helped that our rental was near Tramway Blvd, a major roadway paralleling I-25. The drivers seemed calmer and safer where we were except for the morning when we were entering I-25 northbound and almost creamed by 2 big pick-up trucks who we figured were balloon chasers watching their balloon instead of cars on the entrance ramp. It was still dark and we were close to the Fiesta field. All was fine but it was a scare.
    As always it is good to go away and good to be back home.    Read more

    Trip end
    October 14, 2024
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