Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Blog 312: Cool Canyon and Very Large Array
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
An easy hour from Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge is Albuquerque, home of the world-famous balloon festival. Yes, you could say that the Balloon Fiesta is “uplifting,” or “a lot of hot air,” but it certainly is impressive. We watched from afar, enjoying the lift-off, but next time I want to get up close and personal.
Cibola Canyon Tour
We had the marvelous opportunity to go to a remote part of Sevilleta NWR to a place called Cibola Canyon. Studying geology doesn’t sound exciting, but Dave the Rock Doc brought it to life—just a great journey where few people get to go.
Oryx
On our return to the Visitor Center, I saw my first oryx, an antelope species from the arid parts of Africa. Check this dude out…make you keep your nightlight on.
Very Large Array
The 27 dish antennas that make up this astronomical radio observatory are not located in the middle of nowhere, but close—51 miles west of Socorro, a tad off of Highway 60. At 7,000 feet, a herd of pronghorn graze the acres surrounding the facility and appear to act as greeters to all who visit.
Did you ever watch Carl Sagan’s “Cosmos” series? I was fascinated by his dramatic explanations of the universe and all the mysteries implied. Driving up to this spectacular facility brought this same surge of wonder back into my being, viewing this huge radio telescope reaching up into space peering into dark matter 150 quadrillion miles away. An awe-inspiring place that you need to see.
Below are a few pics. My favorite is the one with the pronghorn posing in the foreground.
Bosque del Apache
Bosque is one of my favorite places on the planet. I have spent many a frigid morning in winter stamping my feet and wishing I’d bought hand warmers, waiting for thousands of sandhill cranes to blast off into the sky with a roar only these birds can make. Only 45 minutes from Sevilleta, it is a sweet day-trip. It was a little early for the crane and snow geese migration, but we saw a few on a super pleasant drive through this refuge. Here are snow geese in flight, a view to the west, and a roadrunner lift-off taken as we headed back.
Green Chili Cheeseburgers
We brilliantly ended this morning with brunch at the famous Buckhorn Tavern. I had a green chili cheeseburger with green chili fries, and Jan had the green chili cheese burrito with onion rings and a side of beans. LIVING LAVISHLY LARGE. I love New Mexico.
Here is just Jan’s lunch!
Sevilleta Hikes
Jack and I spent a lot of time hiking the trails. Jan took a far-away shot, and here is another of Jack.
Jan and Mitzy hike as well. Here is a pic of Mitzy going up some steep steps.
Magnificent Mornings
Sevilleta is a wonderful place, but what I think I miss the most are the morning skies.
Old Trucks and Classy Chassis
We have been seeing and shooting lots of old trucks in our travels.
Go to www.onceuponatruck.com to check out some of my latest vintage trucks. I added several more since my last Motoring blog. If you want to get a new, old truck photo each week, sign up for my What The Truck! blog.
See you next time.