Rattlesnakes and Rodeos

I am all settled in Albuquerque, NM.  I will be staying with my mom's cousin Chris and his wife Nansi whom I had never met before the trip-they have been kind enough to allow me to stay in their finished basement (which is beautiful!) for 13 weeks.  More than likely exchanging shipped seafood for rent.  I have been spoiled by this outdoor playground we will call 'Albuquerque' since my arrival on Thursday.  The house sits atop a small hill with a deck overlooking the city.  The sunsets are amongst the most beautiful I have ever seen.  My first full day here I explored the Sandia Foothills which is in Chris and Nansi's backyard.  I was a little freaked out when Chris's last words were 'watch out for the rattlesnakes.' When I arrived at the trailhead there was a sign reiterating this statement.  I have yet to see one though.  The hiking is amazing.  The Sandias are a small range consisting of a single north-south ridge with two major summits: Sandia Crest (10,670 ft) and Sandia Peak (9,072 ft).  This mountain range has four different life zones. The desert grassland and Savannah at the western base of the mountain is where I have been doing most of my hiking given that Albuquerque is set at an elevation 6,000 ft.  The cacti are beautiful!

'Home' for the next 13 weeks... almond, pear and cherry trees!

Sandia Foothills

Cacti

Neat rock formation

Beautiful day for a hike!

Vegetation

View of the city from Embudo Canyon




Last night I met up with my friend Jess who is a travel physical therapist working in Santa fe, NM.  We experienced a big event here in Albuquerque-the state fair along with the rodeo and a Jarrod Niemann concert.  At the end of the rodeo a white buffalo was blessed.  These are very rare and are considered sacred to Native Americans.  Only 1 in 10 million are born white.  The white buffalo is a sign of good luck, happiness and growth for the tribes (photo below).  Lot's of dancing at the concert and I was amazed at how well some of the people could dance-very impressive!!