A Long Day

7/28
Pooped!
We left Albuquerque at 8 and headed for Acoma Pueblo. We thought we were arriving too late for the first tour, but we were able to sign up and even see part of the museum before the tour bus left. Acoma's cultural center is down in town, and that is where most people live. However, the pueblo, known as Sky City, is still inhabited and used for ceremonies and celebrations. There is no plumbing or electricity, but this does not seem to phase those who live there 24/7. It was our second time touring, so we were prepared. We came with cash, and we got a camera permit. We think the photos came out pretty good, but I won't be doing a web album tonight.
After the tour ended we stayed behind with a "shopping guide" (they don't want people wandering around on their own) and bought a couple of pots. Then we walked down the 350 foot high mesa and back to the cultural center. The stone steps were pretty steep in places, but there were hand holds, and we managed pretty well.
We had lunch, which was leftovers from the night before (yum), but Acoma did have a cafe, and we could have eaten there.
Afterwards, we headed to Socorro. Socorro is a nice little town with a technical college and a great view. We checked into the Best Western. Hol. Inn Express was full. There is a convention of First Responders in town. Guess this is a pretty safe place tonight. :) The room is nice with a small "kitchen." I just hope the First Responders don't get up too early in the morning, because a number of them are pretty big, healthy looking young men, and we may have to fight for our food. Just kidding......kind of.
Dinner was a short walk to the Socorro Springs Brewing Co. This place makes great burgers. I had a chili burger. Glen had a buffalo burger. Both were delicious and very big!
Hopefully, the thunderstorms we had earlier are done, and we will have a quiet restful night. We are taking a scenic route to Glenwood in the Gila National Forest tomorrow morning.