Albuquerque!

My last blog was quite concise wasn't it? Just to back up a few days and expand on seeing Carlsbad Caverns. They are simply majestic. I was in awe as I walked down the natural entrance. They (Park people) did a great job of making a zigzag walkway down into the caverns. It is steep but not too hard to navigate. As I entered, the shear size of the caverns left me looking around in awe. At the bottom, I met Joyce who had taken the elevator down. We had a bite to eat at the snack bar (which gave me an excuse to sit and rest). Then we walked the circuit around the "Big Room." There are all kinds of the usual beautiful cave features but again the size is what left me exclaiming, "wow!" These two tours are self-guided. I wanted to go on one of the guided tours but we didn't have time and I wasn't sure I had the energy.

From there it was on to Albuquerque. Actually we were in Tijeras, about 15 miles to the east in what the locals call the "East Mountains." We were high -- about 7,500 feet. And the wind blew. And it was cold. And it even snowed! And I wondered what I was doing there. Actually there were 5 reasons we were there -- Jana, Korak, Josiah, Lilly, and Ginger. We had a great 4 days with them -- mostly doing the things the kids would like. We went to the Hot Air Balloon Museum, the Children's Museum, a Park, Old Town for lunch and drive to Tinkertown. Tinkertown is a eclectic collection of miniature scenes -- and that is a mild description.

Saturday morning was the day to depart to house they had rented. So we woke up to 2 inches of snow covering everything! It was a nice house, with nice hot tub but I was glad to get out of there. Our original plans were to go up near Taos for a few days until the RV Rally begins next Wednesday. But that was not going to be a wise move because of the cold so we are on the west side of Albuquerque in a nice RV Park. We'll do day trips from here.

Today is Easter. I have to admit this has not seemed like Holy Week or Good Friday, or even Easter. We worshiped at Hoffmantown Church today. I think it is named after a neighborhood in Albuquerque -- like Allen Creek Church. This is the church Vern and Pam and their family attend. Afterward we went to their son's house for dinner. This was a mix of getting acquainted with Vern and Pam's kids and grandkids, and simply visiting with old friends. Dennis and Sandy were there, also. It was a great afternoon. We eat barbecued steak, talked, and watched the Masters Golf. In a blog a few weeks ago I explained that Dennis/Sandy and Vern/Pam are people I attended church with back in the 50s (yes, I can remember that far back!!!). As a side note here, Vern was my roommate in 1965 when he and Pam (they weren't married yet) and I went to Joyce's church and I met her officially for the first time.

It seems like we always find something interesting to do -- even when we are freezing. Sure wish it was warmer though.

This is us'ens in a balloon basket. Korak is taking the picture.