my first day in Albuquerque
Well, I’m here. It’s so beautiful here in Albuquerque, I’m almost sad to leave. But I do have to get on the road in just a bit. I’m sitting outside the Albuquerque Aquarium right now using their free Wi-Fi to post this, and it’s chilly this morning, so I’m going to be off in a bit.
I’ll warn you, some of the posts I’ll do vs. some of the podcasts won’t be in sync, but it won’t be too bad, I promise!
This first photo is off the side of Sandia Mountain. I drove all the way up one side, then went around the mountain and took the tram up the other side. The peak is over 2 miles above sea level, and let me tell you it was Chicago cold up there. From 75 degrees in Albuquerque to less than 45 degrees at the peak, it was seriously chilly.
I spent the night in a delightful no frills hotel called Hotel Blue, but I’d choose somewhere else next time just ’cause it was so dead at night. I hear Nob Hill is the place to be, but this came after I already had a room.
On the food front, I decided not to eat at Durans and instead hit the Route 66 Malt Shop for a DELICIOUS Green Chili Cheeseburger and homemade root beer. It was seriously good, and the tiny Mom & Pop shop is the kind of business I love to support. They were super friendly, up for some good chats, and wondered why me, a Chicagogan, was in New Mexico road tripping. As soon as I said ‘the lure of the desert’ they understood exactly what I meant, and the conversation moved on.
After the Sandia Peak trek up the tram, I hit this place called County Line Barbeque for the biggest plate of turkey, sausage, pork ribs, beef ribs, and brisket I’ve ever eaten. With a side of slaw and garlic mashed red potatoes. Food coma immediately set in and I slept well.
Breffest at IHOP this morning, and I’m off to the Very Large Array outside of Socorro, and then onto Truth or Consequences (yep, named after the game), then to White Sands National Monument.
Busy day. Gots ta go!
March 27th, 2008
I’d really like to know if the trip to NM has had an affect on your mind, as far as helping to clear your head (only if you needed it), relax, take some weight off your shoulders, etc. When the city and urban life in general starts to bug me, as it does sometimes, I think that a few days somewhere in New Mexico could do wonders to clear out the muck in my mind, as well as getting some literal fresh air.
Did you get to do any biking there, as well?