Albuquerque and surrounding area

We are at Kirkland AFB which sits on the southeast side of Albuquerque. 

 

A nice  place to camp,  lots of green spaces to walk Shelby,  grocery store,  gas station and shopping right on base. Easy to get to just off  I40,  that means I can hop on and off to see and do everything in the Area!. 

So I made a list of possible interesting things and have started the touring.  Randy calls it the impossible list,  as usual he is dragging his feet a little.  I'm thinking "maybe I'll leave him back at camp part of the time".  Sometimes it's nice to have home alone time and hangout with a good book,  Especially when you live in an Rv full-time.

Albuquerque.

 The Rio Grande Valley has been populated as far back as 2,000 B.C.  The Pueblo people were living in this area when the first Spanish explorers arrived in Albuquerque in approximately 1540. 

 In 1706, a group of colonists were granted permission by  Spain to establish a new city on the banks of the Rio Grande at the foot of the mountains.

  Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Museum

This was a great place to start, I come away with what I hope is a better understanding of their culture.
No pictures allowed inside the Museum, theses are some of the murals surrounding the inside court yard.

 It features a brief  historical overview of the Pueblo world, and a contemporary exhibit featuring original artwork and craftsmanship of each of the 19 Pueblos of today.  Their located primarily in New Mexico, at one time the Pueblo's homeland reached into the states of Colorado and Arizona. Pueblo people rooted in this region of the southwest are descendants of an indigenous Native Americans.  

The visit ended at the courtyard cafe featuring authentic Pueblo food.  I had the fry bread topped with pinto beans and green chiles.  It really was a great choice!!

 I did need two glasses of water,
a little hot but just right. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A drive up the Turquoise Trail.  

Starting at the southern end of the Sandia Mountains a winding road will take you to the top of the Sandia peak and ski area.  Spectacular views from the 10,378 foot summit.  Cooler, a little windy and had to stop and catch our breath at the top.  I rode the Tram in the spring with Doug P , much shorter way to go.  Either way spectacular views!!

Top of the ski lift.

 

Back down the mountain we go!  Continuing north through small mining towns once  producers of gold, coal and turquoise.  Now mostly ghost towns turned Artists community's geared to attract visitors just out for a scenic drive, avoid weekends if you can, very congested. 

We did hit some thrift stores and flea markets along the way.  I found a good deal on beanie babies for the kids, Randy got used books for 25 cents and a pocket knife he couldn't go without!

 

 Petroglyph National Monument

According to the Visitor Center there are over 20,000 images pecked in black rocks. A few are 2,000 years old.  Most 400 to 700 years old.  Not all images are from Native Americans, the Spanish sheep herders in the 1600s left their mark also, christian crosses.










                                                                                                                                                                                                         

The West Mesa, a 17 mile long table of land emerged about 200,000 yrs ago when lava flowed from a large crack in the Earths crust.  Over time eroding softer material left basalt boulders, now the canvas for the ancestors of the Native Pueblo people.



 Randy hiked up to the top of the mesa for a better look.
That's Albuquerque below and the Rio Grande river valley.

The main trail through the canyons (about a 7 mile  hike) was closed due to recent heavy rains.  So we opted for   the easy access driving route with paved paths.

Does this look like an alien or one hyper grandkid?

Took a day off to catchup on laundry and grocery shop! :)

          New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.

 

Great displays offer a journey through billions of years of New Mexico's natural history.

 Kid friendly,  I kept thinking I wish the grandkids were here, they would love this! 

I found the Astronomy exhibits with pictures from the Hubble telescope amazing!



The museum complex also has a Planetarium and  Dynatheater (5 storys high).  Ran out of time, will have to do that on another visit.

That's enough for now,  I've got to figure out away to write theses blog reports without staying up until 3AM.
 I get lost in information and looking at pictures!
 I can't keep tract of the time.










All suggestions welcome...    To much info, to much rambling, to long??    Sorry....
I already know about the spelling and grammar issues!  :)

Take care!!!  Kathy