Create A Story...The Petroglyphs

A few weeks ago, I ventured out into the Rinconada Canyon Trail to Petroglyph National Monument.  The geology was interesting; volcanic remnants from thousands of year ago.  The basalt from these volcanic eruptions provided the basis for the petroglyphs.  It has been estimated, according to the National Park Service that 90% of the petroglyphs were made by the ancestors of todays Pueblo Indians from 1300 A.D. to late 1680's.

As I was hiking around, I overheard a park ranger talking to a group of school kids on a field trip.  It was interesting to hear young kids ideas about what desert life is.  The ranger asked the group if anyone could tell him what makes a desert a desert.  After numerous attempts at answering the question with everything from ' the sand' to 'walking in the sand' the ranger redirected the question and asked about rainfall.  When asked how much rain the desert gets per year one child answered '3 centimeters' another said '30 feet.' While the answer is between these two responses, the ranger said due to the drought the rainfall has only been about a third of what it typically is this time of the year.

Balloon Fiesta!

Dawn Patrol show early morning

My friend Jess and I






The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta started out as only 13 balloons in 1972 and has grown to become the largest in the world.  This year, I was lucky enough to attend...560 balloons went up in the air during the events mass ascension at 7 a.m.  Don't get me wrong, it did take a little effort to attend the event.  I awoke at 4:00 a.m. to make it in time for the 6:30 a.m dawn patrol show (lighting of the balloons) due to the anticipated crowds.  Happy I did, indeed as it was the most spectacular and surreal event I have ever attended.  The feeling of being amidst 560 balloons inflating and departing with the warmth of the fire from the torches warming the chilly desert air was truly unforgettable.  

Mass Ascension

Soaring over the Sandias

Old Town Albuquerque

I took a stroll around Old Town Albuquerque.  Old Town Albuquerque is filled with Pueblo-Spanish style architecture including the San Felipe De Neri church which is the oldest building (1793) in the city.  Many of the early settlers homes and government offices have been converted into restaurants, shops and art galleries.  There are some amazing pottery shops and the turqoise jewelry is beautiful!

San Felipe Church

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Adobe style architecture

I went on a short hike in the Sandia Foothills the other night and was amazed at the wildlife that came out at night! I was hiking to watch the sunset and numerous animals jumped into my path (this was a little frightening!).  A mule deer and rabbit were amongst my hiking buddies haha.

Sandia Foothills

Rabbit

Mule deer

Sunset from foothills

Love desert sunsets!

Sandia Tram (for lack of a more creative title!)

 The mountains called my name yet again this past weekend.  I went out for a leisurely breakfast and got the scoop about the good hiking trails from some of the locals.  I discovered that the omelets here are very different than the omelets I am used to in Maine.  They are covered with green chile (yum!) and the cheese is on top instead of inside.  With a full belly, I ventured to the base of the Sandia tram which I would take to the summit and hike along the Sandia Crest trail.  The Sanida Tram is the longest in the world at 2.7 miles.  It starts at an elevation of 6, 559 ft and ends at 10,388 ft.  The Sandia Crest trail was beautiful (see photos below).  The foliage is nearly at it's peak and the Aspens are in full bloom! I hiked over to a house along the crest trail-this is a house for employees during inclimate weather and serves as a hideout from lightening etc.  From here, I continued along until I reached the towers.  The towers mark the highest elevation in the Sandia's at 10,678 ft.  Spectacular view!

Sandia Tram

The towers at the highest elevation

Along the Sandia Crest Trail

 

The 'house' from the ridge trail

Aspens in full bloom!