Hiking the Sandia Crest - October 2014

If I knew previously to hiking what I know now, NO, I would not do it!  12.5 miles from 6,300 ft. above sea level to 10,600 ft. above sea level in 7 hrs. was all I could possibly do on any given Saturday just outside Albuquerque, NM called the Sandia Crest.  We began about 10:30 a.m. parked our car at the tram, hiked over to the La Luz Trail and then UP UP UP all day long.  We arrived at the top of the tram at approximately 5:00 p.m., had to wait an hour to ride down and then pick up our pizza, drive back to camp, eat, take a shower and in bed within 45 min. of opening the door of the RV!  I think I will eventually lose the toe nail beside my big toe on my right foot but YES, it was worth the effort and I know I saw scenes that most people will not see in a lifetime.  There were times that the trail was no wider than 12 inches and if I had looked over my shoulder periodically during times that we were mountain huggers, I could have lost it!  Oh man, also there was one point where we were passed by 2 younger hikers and looked up at a distance and if someone had told me that we would encounter switch backs along a boulder field, I probably would have said, "Wayne you go on ahead and I will meet you at the car!"  Sometimes just plundering ahead is better than turning back and if you do the math, there might not be enough day light hours to do just that!  The last 7 miles Wayne let me lead.  Now that I think back about that I am not so sure it was for me to set the pace but to keep me from tucking tail and turning around!  What an adventure.  Ok, done that, will not do again for sure, or any other massive trail hiking for that matter!  This body is hanging it up for that type of exercise.  One week later I have had to overcome vertigo which I highly suspect that the hike started that process.  Ears still popping and altitude nausea has set in.  Thank goodness we are leaving Thursday, from camping at 6,300 ft above sea level to Sarah & Vince's in Flagstaff at 7,100 ft.  GOOD GRIEF - RV CRAZY OR WHAT?!

No snakes, just scorpions!

Phase I - the mountain we were about to climb is in that cloud!

Looking backwards to Albuquerque

Getting steeper

and steeper

colors getting prettier

1 of about 12 rock boulder slides (created by blasting) to maneuver through

just a little further  - ugh!

getting more narrower and colors prettier

hang gliders coming from the top

almost there!

permission to come aboard....waiting at the tram, rain in the distance

coming down the tram, sunset - time to go home!

RV CRAZY? YEP!

Balloon Fiesta 2014 - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Balloon Fiesta 2014 brings so many happy faces and makes even the oldest person there seem like they are a kid again.  Not one complaint except maybe that they didn’t fly one morning but there were other flight days and what’s not to like about Dunkin Donuts, funnel cakes and breakfast burritos while they are blowing up the largest balloon ever in the shape of a cow!  And then there was Elvis and Spider Pig (?).  Just the fact that there are so many in one place.  Friday morning us 3 Sower couples are headed for the “Special Shape Rodeo” (at 7:00 a.m. no less) then off to enjoy Old Towne in Albuquerque.  We have learned that retirement is just playing with other old farts!  It's been everything we expected and MORE!  Will post more pics of the special shapes after Friday.  Our hike has been moved to Saturday if the weather stays promising (the remnants of a hurricane are coming up through Arizona today).

Hiking in the Sandia's and the Nuclear Museum

What gorgeous sites there are around here and wonderful hiking excursions.  Took a short hike up the La Luz Trail a few days ago and hope to do the whole thing next Friday.  If you never hear from us again we are somewhere on the westside of the Sandia's!  Everyone says just take it slow, enjoy the scenery and YOU'LL MAKE IT!  Here a few pics from the lower 2 miles of the 9.2 we will be hiking next week.

The nuclear museum is a definite "must see" if you are 55 yrs. old or older.  There are things we remember as kids that happened in our lifetime - kids today only read about them - we relate.

This is Wayne next to "Little Man" and "Fat Boy" - recreations of what was dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.  (The man in the middle is just an average sized man - thought I might need to clarify that!) Below is the plane that dropped them.

The other 2 couples arrived yesterday and the day before for our project to begin on Monday.  With all the hoopla in Albuquerque we felt the need to bring them in early as this area is going to be soooo congested with the Balloon Fiesta starting with Mass Ascension at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow.  Sarah and Evangeline are on their way - it's going to be a weekend to remember for all time.  Wayne and I had this on our bucket list for 3 years....... RV crazy? :)