2006 RV Trip Diaries - Albuquerque, NM

                                                                                                                                                                               

October 13 - Friday

We had a nice drive to Albuquerque until we got to the point where we had to change from I-25 to I-40.  That was a heavy stress traffic scene.  But we found the RV park with no real problems and it's a nice one with concrete pads and paved roads.  

October 14 - Saturday

Celina came to our place for lunch then drove us on a tour of Albuquerque that included her nice condo in a quiet neighborhood of the big city near the Sandia Mountains.  Lumpy, her dachshund, was glad to see us.  We went to the base of the Sandia Peak tramway to check out the price for tomorrow's ride.  We saw our first buffalo on the native land on the outskirts of Alb. on the way to Sandia resort & casino, a grand building, where we had fun playing for a while as we broke even.

October 15 - Sunday

Celina and Karen went to a Catholic church not too far from our campground.  It was a beautiful church and a blessed service.

After two weeks of fits and starts because of bad weather, this morning the Balloon Fiesta had the final mass ascension.  We watched from our RV Park.

After eating a delicious Mexican breakfast at a restaurant we went up the Scandia tramway, the world's longest aerial tramway.  From the base to the top of the 10,378 foot peak the tram takes you 2.7 miles.  From the top on a clear day you can see an 11,000 square mile panoramic view--it's awesome.  On the other side of the mountain is a ski area.  Clouds rolled in while we were sitting in the bar having a drink.  We heard thunder as we waited for the tram down.  This was the busiest day on the tram, because the Balloon Fiesta had ended, and though we had to wait in a long line it was a beautiful ride up and viewing down. 

We said our good-byes to Celina and Lumpy as tomorrow we leave but it was an inspiring visit.