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 Being Retired now, I thought that it was time for a new name to this Blog |
My New Mexico Activities As some of you know, I spent the past week in Albuquerque so I could attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The Balloon Fiesta began in 1972, when I was a Senior in High School. It was first held in April for a few years before moving to an October date. Despite being held in the city I still call home, I had never attended it. That had to change! I arrived in Albuquerque a week ago today, and was fortunate enough that my Niece, Diana, allowed me to stay with her. Her house is less than a half mile from the house we lived in from 1968-1972. My Father purchased it for $16,000 back then, my Mother sold it in 1973 and eventually moved to a trailer. I wish I had known she wanted to sell it, I would most likely have bought it! Her payments were only $98/month. Ahhhh, the possibilities. After arriving home Wednesday, I managed to grab a quick nap before going to dinner. Diana and I had dinner with my best friend Debbie and her husband Tony. Debbie and I dated off and on in High School, but you couldn't call us a 'couple'. I was the boy next door essentially, always there for her when needed. Obviously we're still good friends today. Dinner was at Fiesta Azul Tequila House https://www.fiestaazultequilahouse.com/menu-albuquerque , and was really very good. I had their Chile Relleno Chimichanga. I do love Green Chile, and seemed to have something with Green Chile each day! Thursday Diana had to work it & became my day to spend with Debbie. I told her it would be breakfast only, but somehow we ended up spending the whole day together. After breakfast it became a day of errands, getting things done that she needed to do, I was just the passenger in her car. We did talk of course, quite a lot really. Like I said earlier, best friends out for the day. Friday Diana had off, as well as Monday and Tuesday. I wanted to visit my Mother's Grave and leave flowers for her. It took us at least 30 minutes just to locate her grave! Why so long? I mean Diana knew where she was, didn't she? Yes, and No. What happened was that the Cemetery removed the road that Diana had always parked on so more people could be buried there. So we were almost 50 yards north of her. It wasn't until Diana asked an employee that we were straightened out. We found her of course, and left the flowers with her. I couldn't get us Tramway tickets to get to Sandia Peak, 5,000 feet above Albuquerque. They were sold out, mainly because of the Balloon Fiesta. We ended up driving up the backside of the mountain to Sandia Crest, about 200 yards from the Tramway. That's when I discovered I now have lowland lungs. I really had trouble breathing air so thin! 16 Years ago I had visited family there, and had no problem walking about a quarter mile from the Tram to a stone shelter. If I had been at the Tram site, there's no way I'd have walked it. After leaving Sandia Peak, we drove to Santa Fe via Hwy 14, and passed through Madrid. Madrid is the town used in the movie 'Wild Hogs'. In Santa Fe, we stopped at the Santa Fe National Cemetery and visited my Father's grave. By now, it was time for dinner/late lunch. Diana loves a restaurant there, so it was there went. Maria's New Mexican Kitchen. https://www.marias-santafe.com/eat If I thought dinner Wednesday was good, (and I did), it wasn't that great compared to Maria's. Wow! We had their Green Chile Meatballs as our appetizer, my meal was their Combination Plate, with a Taco, a Cheese Enchilada, and a Green Chile Relleno. Saturday was the Balloon Fiesta which I've written about in a previous entry. My only regret is that the Balloons couldn't fly then because the winds at higher elevations were too strong,. They have flown every day since then, of course! Murphy's Law at work, Saturday night was dinner at Diana's favorite Chinese Restaurant (her mom's favorite too. It took me a second to realize she meant my sister!). 14 people were there, only 5 I knew or recognized. I found that meeting/seeing family I haven't seen in ages, or have never seen, to be more important to me than the Balloon Fiesta. Sunday we visited my Sister-In-Law Ruth. She was married to my brother Terry who we lost to Cancer in 2017. They married at 16-17, and remained married through all that life threw at them. They amazed me, and still do to this day. Ruth loves to cook when people visit, she fixed us Chicken Chalupa's with Spanish Rice for lunch, with Tortillas on the side. Everything was homemade too, she does know how to cook! Yummmm. |
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