Back tracking today some 200 miles. Left Picacho Peak and headed back east toward Las Cruces, NM. Drove some 250 miles to Deming, NM and 81 Palms RV Resort. Arrived early in the day and set up for the evening. The next morning (April 1) we were on the road by 8:30AM. Took interstate 26 across from Deming to I25 at Hatch and then north to Albuquerque, NM. Hatch is renowned as the Hot Pepper capital of the USA, and there were vendors everywhere selling the product. A couple hundred miles north on I 25 to Albuquerque, we swithed over to I 40 and checked in to the Albuquerque KOA by 2:00PM, just off I 40. The next day, decided since we were in no hurry that we would extend our stay to one week, so stopped by the office and made the necessary adjustments to our reservations. Then in the afternoon we went into the downtown area to see Denice's Young Aunt Cheryl. A rather unique situation here as her aunt is actually two years younger than she is. Anyway they spent the afternoon catching up on "Family Tree", as inter communications are not as good as they should be. In fact it was decided that the last time they had met face to face was Thirteen years ago! So as you can imagine, there was a lot to talk about. I just kept on the sidelines! Then about 4:30PM we went out for Dinner at the local "Olive Tree". It was delicious as it always is, then we returned to ELTORO for the night. The next day, April 3rd, we picked up Cheryl and went to Old Town Albuquerque.
Had an intersting afternoon visiting all the old structures with tourist catch alls, and catch us they did, but not too bad!! Denice bought a few little knick-kacks and art work, but the one that caught me was in a store that sold Onyx items. While the women wandered around looking in other gift stores, I went into this one and started a conversation with the owner. He had a lot of beautiful bowls, lamps, and other items on display and he was describing the process of how they are made. This interested me as I make wooden bowls on similiar design. He told me that the items are all made in Mexico by Mexican artisans. Apparently Onyx is plentiful down there where there are mountains of it and needs no permits from the locals to quarry it. Therefore the ptoduct material is free and the Mexicans only charge for the time to shape it. Well we talked for a half hour or so and then I said I had better catch up with my gals, but as I wandered around with them I knew I had to go back and have a piece of the rock. We all went back and I chose a beautiful Chess Set. The board and the playing pieces are all intrically designed and shaped from different colored Onyx. The price was impressively low, I thought, and the owner guaranteed that if any broke in transit or even after I get them home that he would replace the free of charge. Amazing!! I'm confident that back in Canada I would be able to re-sell this set for something in the order of 5 to 10 times the price I paid for it. But now the problem, I have never played Chess, and don't have a clue of how to play. Guess that will be the next project, ---- or maybe the set will just become a decoration some where. Once we left Old Town, we returned to Cheryl's son's place and visited with him, his wife, Carol, and kids, Sophia (6), Makayla (4), and Nathan (2), while Chris and Carol prepared a great Roast Beef dinner. We enjoyed a nice evening with them, and especially enjoyed the rather rambunctious kids. Now we know why is young people that have kids!! The 4th was a rather quiet day as the weather was unsettled so we did little. On the 5th we went to the Sandia Tram ride, but found when we got there that the Tram was shut down for repairs until April 15th. The tram is billed as the longest in the world, and runs from the base of the mountain at about 6,000 feet to the top of Sandia Peak at near 10,000 ft. So, unable to do that, we just continued on Tramway Trail and went to the Balloon Museum instead.
Wandered around there for a couple of hours and bought some momentos before heading home and stopping at Albertsons for some groceries. On the 6th, we again took Aunt Cheryl, as tour guide, and went to the Petroglyphs on the west side of the city. There are over 20,000 native symbols there.
We only walked one area, as there are 3 large areas of interest. To see the whole area you would have to have a few days open. We did see a lot and took a fair sampling of pictures before we tired and needed some vitals. Cheryl directed us to the best Mexican Restaraunt in town, where we enjoyed their quesine, and indeed it was fine. Not sure of the detail of the dishes, but it was good. On the 7th, we readied the motorhome for the next day move, and then in late afternoon went over to Chris and Carols for chinese dinner that we had delivered. The evening ended with a bunch of hugs from all the family including the 2 little girls, ages 6 and 4, and Nathan who is 2. So ended out time in Albuquerque.
Had an intersting afternoon visiting all the old structures with tourist catch alls, and catch us they did, but not too bad!! Denice bought a few little knick-kacks and art work, but the one that caught me was in a store that sold Onyx items. While the women wandered around looking in other gift stores, I went into this one and started a conversation with the owner. He had a lot of beautiful bowls, lamps, and other items on display and he was describing the process of how they are made. This interested me as I make wooden bowls on similiar design. He told me that the items are all made in Mexico by Mexican artisans. Apparently Onyx is plentiful down there where there are mountains of it and needs no permits from the locals to quarry it. Therefore the ptoduct material is free and the Mexicans only charge for the time to shape it. Well we talked for a half hour or so and then I said I had better catch up with my gals, but as I wandered around with them I knew I had to go back and have a piece of the rock. We all went back and I chose a beautiful Chess Set. The board and the playing pieces are all intrically designed and shaped from different colored Onyx. The price was impressively low, I thought, and the owner guaranteed that if any broke in transit or even after I get them home that he would replace the free of charge. Amazing!! I'm confident that back in Canada I would be able to re-sell this set for something in the order of 5 to 10 times the price I paid for it. But now the problem, I have never played Chess, and don't have a clue of how to play. Guess that will be the next project, ---- or maybe the set will just become a decoration some where. Once we left Old Town, we returned to Cheryl's son's place and visited with him, his wife, Carol, and kids, Sophia (6), Makayla (4), and Nathan (2), while Chris and Carol prepared a great Roast Beef dinner. We enjoyed a nice evening with them, and especially enjoyed the rather rambunctious kids. Now we know why is young people that have kids!! The 4th was a rather quiet day as the weather was unsettled so we did little. On the 5th we went to the Sandia Tram ride, but found when we got there that the Tram was shut down for repairs until April 15th. The tram is billed as the longest in the world, and runs from the base of the mountain at about 6,000 feet to the top of Sandia Peak at near 10,000 ft. So, unable to do that, we just continued on Tramway Trail and went to the Balloon Museum instead.
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