Petroglyphs and Old Town Albuquerque

We finally got out to see a little bit of Albuquerque today.

We left early to take advantage of the sun on the petroglyphs at Petroglyph National Monument.  There are more than 20,000 images throughout this rugged landscape of basalt boulders created from lava flowing from erupting volcanoes some 150,000 years ago.  The cones are still visible in the distance. Yesterday, the ranger suggested we go to Boca Negra Canyon with its 1500 or so images.  In this area, there are three short, paved trails which weave in and out of the rocks with fantastic views of the ancient carvings.

Midmorning we headed to Old Town Albuquerque.  We have been to a couple other New Mexico Old Towns this trip—Santa Fe and Taos.  Old Town Albuquerque wins by a landslide.  It was very small compared to Santa Fe, but so quaint.  We were impressed with the number of upscale shops selling locally handcrafted items of jewelry, pottery, and rugs.  As in Santa Fe, native crafters had they wares spread on blankets on the sidewalk.  There were also several art galleries.  And there was no need to go hungry as there were several restaurants to choose from.

Gene’s favorite thing was San Felipe de Neri Church—the oldest church in Albuquerque.  Built in 1793, it occupies one side of the Plaza.  My favorite things were the many courtyards tucked away down narrow passages along all sides of the Plaza.  These were very charming and inviting little spaces with flowers and benches and an array of shops away from the main thoroughfare.  Old Town Albuquerque is a place that can be visited many times.  One could do serous damage to pocketbooks here, as well.

We had taken a picnic, of course, and we found a beautiful spot in Tricentennial Park across from the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History.  In our wanderings, however, we found a little place we thought would be suitable for a beer.  After the bartender sang the praises of the margaritas we abandoned the beer idea.  No regrets with that decision.

We were home by mid afternoon, leaving me time to do laundry and Gene time to take care of sending paperwork (and money) to Tennessee to register our new home.  We’ll be moving tomorrow, so this evening will be spent learning how to best stow for travel all the stuff I have worked so hard to put out.  Ahh, the life of full-time RVers.

High Noon Saloon

Tomorrow starts out with a service appointment at Camping World.  We only have two small items on the list, so hopefully it won’t take long.  If we can be out of there early, the plan is to head to Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.  We’ll see what happens.