This past Thursday, I was able to take my sister, Nicole to an early morning viewing of the Special Shapes on display at the Balloon Fiesta.

Waking up at 3 am was not fun, but our trip was unforgettable.  We, again, sat on the second floor of the Balloon museum, overlooking the entire field.  Our vantage point was absolutely the best, barring actually being on the field.  We also had a good breakfast, accompanied by lots of coffee and even hot chocolate.

We started out with sweaters and jackets - temps were in. the low 50s.  But the cold was forgotten as soon as the balloons started inflating.

I've wanted to see the Balloon Fiesta for many years, and this morning didn't disappoint.  Watching hundreds of balloons inflate, glow and take to the air was nothing less than a sight I'll never forget.  Next year, Dave has to come with me!

I finally had the chance to see the Balloon Fiesta in person, a dream of mine for several years..  The Anderson Abbruzzo Balloon Museum started a new fundraiser this year, selling tickets to different sections of the Fiesta with an included breakfast or dinner.  We were fortunate enough to sit on the second floor balcony, overlooking the balloon field.  As the evening grew darker, we saw the balloons inflate and light up.  The sight was incredible.

Later this week, my sister and I will be waking up at 3 am to see the morning ascension with the special shapes balloons.

Stay tuned!

It's been a while since we've posted anything on here.  We've gone on simple road trips around New Mexico, but we just recently went on a longer vacation - to Estes Park, Colorado - the entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park.

We rented a historic cabin that backed up to the park and offered us wonderful views of the Valley as well as the mountains around us.  Our host was a little rabbit that showed up at least twice a day to eat.  We were also entertained by a bull elk.  The first two nights he just bugled.  The third night, he brought his entire harem to visit.

Out trip into the Park was beautiful.  We started the drive about 7 am and were rewarded with beautiful vistas and cool air blowing through the aspens.  We climbed and climbed and peaked out at 12120 ft above sea level.  We started in the alpines with lots of trees and ended up in the Tundra where ground covers were the only thing surviving.  Rocky Mountain National Park was unusual because there is only one way in and out.  We traveled to the far edge of the park and had to return the same way we came in.

Enjoy!

Yesterday was a road trip that I've been looking forward to.  We went to Taos and drove the Enchanted Circle, an 84 mile loop, beginning in Taos that takes you to Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest and Angel Fire.  
This beautiful drive took us through some of the most mountainous and beautiful areas of New Mexico.  
​We saw Wheeler Peak, the largest peak in NM, coming in at over 13,000 feet.  We saw quartz and feldspar rocks that date back two billion years.

​One of the highlights, for me, was returning to visit the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.  When I was there, well over a decade ago, there were Native American vendors lining the oath to the bridge.  
​Sadly, they are no longer allowed there.

One thing that hadn't changed was the vista.  The gorge is so deep that I couldn't walk to the railing and look down.  I got dizzy when I tried.  I still say this gorge rivals the Grand Canyon in beauty.

Another part of our trip was more solemn. We visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Peace and Brotherhood Chapel just outside Angel Fire.  

"In the 1960s, Dr. Victor Westphall and his wife Jeanne, purchased more than 800 acres of the Val Verde Ranch near Angel Fire, with the intention of building a ski and golf resort.  Then, on May 22, 1968, their oldest son, Lt. Victor David Westphall III, was killed in an ambush in Con Thien, Vietnam, just south of the DMZ.  He was buried in the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

David's mother suggested using David's life insurance money to build a chapel to honor the memory of their son. Inspired, Doc drew out the initial sketches for the chapel and submitted them to a local Santa Fe architect for final drafting.

Construction of the Peace and Brotherhood Chapel began in September, 1968.  
The vision for the Chapel soon expanded to commemorate the service and sacrifice of all Vietnam Veterans.  
The chapel was completed in May, 1971 and was one of the first memorials in the US dedicated to Vietnam Veterans.

The location of the Memorial is no accident; it sits atop a hill overlooking the picturesque Moreno Valley, which is at the base of Wheeler Peak.  Angel Fire was the last place David visited before deploying to Vietnam in 1967.  He donated several of his books to the local school library."

The Memorial changed hands several times over the years: in 1982 the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) assumed ownership.  In 1985 construction began on the visitors center and museum.  
The center was completed in 1986. In 1998, the DAV turned ownership to the David Westphall Veterans Foundation.

On Veterans Day, 2005 the site officially became the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park.  
In 2017, the ownership of the memorial was transferred to the NM Dept of Veterans Affairs.

Doc's original vision for the Memorial included a veterans cemetery. In 2018, the DVS broke ground on the
Angel Fire State Veterans Cemetery in the valley below the chapel.  
​Doc and Jeanne Westphall are both buried here on the grounds of the memorial.

It's easy to feel the sense of calm come over you as you walk this hallowed ground.  
​Rest In Peace and welcome home, heroes.

Yesterday was time for another road trip.  While there is nothing much open right now, we still manage to have fun.  This time, we headed west and south.  State Hwy 180 turned out to be a beautiful drive.  Within minutes, the scenery changed from desert to scrub to alpine meadows, to craggy rocks and back again.

Four hours later, we arrived in Silver City, known for its silver mines back in the day.  Just outside Silver City is Hanover, home to a very old copper mine.

After leaving Silver City, we headed due East to get back to the Interstate.  Hwy 152 took us directly through Gila National Forest.  What an absolutely beautiful drive.  We were high up in the mountains, probably 10,000 ft and wen saw mountain range after mountain range after mountain range.  In some ways, it reminded me of the Smoky Mountains.  Dave had a great time driving the very windy mountain road.

Storm clouds and rain chased us from Silver City back to the Interstate, just south of Truth or Consequences and as soon as we hit the hwy, the rain hit hard.  The truck was washed!

Hope you enjoy the pictures we took yesterday.  Some of the scenery was breathtaking, and we will go back as soon as our state re-opens.

Dave got his truck back from the shop on Thursday, so yesterday it was time for a road trip.  We headed west, intending on driving to Clovis, where his dad was stationed long ago.  I missed a turn somewhere and the first clue was when we came to a sign that said "Welcome to Roswell".  Oops.  After a nice lunch, we headed for home.  We went a different way this time, on Hwy. 380 to San Antonio, NM.

It was a beautiful drive by the Capitan Mountains.  We saw a nearly dried up salt lake near the Estancia Basin and the Smokey the Bear Tribute.

​All in all, a great day.

It took us over a month, but we finally finished laying out the gravel in the very front.  We moved a total of eight tons of gravel.  Whew, that sounds overwhelming!  BUt we did it, little by little.

Here again, are the before pics:

And during the process:
​

And, the finished project!!  The small trees you see are dwarf alberta spruces.  It feels so good to finish this project!

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world as we know it.  Self-Isolation has become the new norm as well as the new catch phrase.  Being cooped up at home for our safety as well as those of others have brought out the handyman/gardener in many of us.

We've been slowly making changes in the front yard with still quite a way to go.  It didn't take us long to figure out that Chacho has a hard time walking amongst all the rocks, so we cleared out a little space in the front and laid sod.  It's just two little sections - 4ft x 10ft, but it should be enough to make him happy.

I've spent some time making a little cactus garden out front as well and that will continue into next year as I expand it.  We're also laying gravel outside out front wall to replace the dirt and weeds.  We've gotten a little less than half of it done and plan on finishing it this month.  I just finished pruning the roses and Dave has been doing maintenance on the pillars out front.  A few more large projects this Spring and we'll be ready to enjoy our summer.

​Of course, Bella, Luna and Chacho have been right in the middle of things.

Before and After of outside our wall.

I'll continue posting after pictures as we complete more.

Next up will be interior shots.  We love our house and have enjoyed making it ours!

It's been a busy winter, with a couple of trips to TN for family stuff.  Now that Spring is almost here, we're having a great time with some road trips before I head back to TN later this month.

We decided to head for the Sandia Mountains today in Albuquerque, deciding to drive up to Sandia Crest.  We knew we'd encounter snow, but the amount still up there was surprising.

After a visit to the Crest, we took the scenic route home through Madrid and Santa Fe.  Madrid is a small town that I visited in 2006, when Wild Hogs was being filmed there, starring John Travolta, Tim Allen, William H Macy.

​Enjoy!

Yes, it's been a while since we posted anything.  We've spent a lot of time at home, so this trip was a lot of fun.  I went with friends Lydia and Gerda to Albuquerque's Old Town Stroll and Christmas Tree Lighting.  

It was truly beautiful, with thousands of people lining the Old Town Square.

I found out that the Christmas Tree was actually made up of 156 Douglas Firs and it takes them two days to trim and fit all the trees together.

Dinner at Church St Cafe was wonderful as was the Bailey's Irish Coffee.  A great way to stay warm!

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking tham!