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.
July 28, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
July 27, 2009
A Day Spent with Native American Culture
7/27
We slept in this morning since our first stop, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, doesn't open until 9. We spent the entire morning there. We hadn't been to the Museum half in years, and we saw two great short films. One was about Maria Martinez who is a very well known San Ildefonso potter,and it took you through the entire process of making those wonderful pots.
Our leftovers from La Hacienda was our lunch. We decided mine was better on reheat, but both (and a sopapilla) made a great lunch. Laundry had to be done too. A few hours of enforced relaxation.
Afterwards we headed to the Turquoise Museum where we learned that we knew nothing about turquoise. It actually made us more than a little paranoid about purchasing turquoise ever again. Apparently, it is very difficult for the untrained eye to see the differences, and you really have to trust that people are being honest. There were pointers on how to insure that you are getting the natural stuff, but it really does seem more like a crap shoot than anything else.
Before going back to the hotel, I wanted to stop and visit Alvin, who made my beautiful hammered silver earrings (purchased last summer). He was there and gave me a great deal on another pair of round earrings. We also visited Curtis, who made my silver bracelet. He didn't have much left, so we just chatted. He remarked on how humid it has been. We asked what "humid" is, and he said 60%. It is higher than that in our house when we have the a/c going full blast.
Dinner was unbelievable! We returned to the IPCC and ate at Pueblo Harvest. This place was fabulous. It was gourmet Mexican with a definite Native American twist. My chiles relleno were mouth-watering, and we both left with enough for another great meal tomorrow (lunch) after we visit Acoma.
We slept in this morning since our first stop, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, doesn't open until 9. We spent the entire morning there. We hadn't been to the Museum half in years, and we saw two great short films. One was about Maria Martinez who is a very well known San Ildefonso potter,and it took you through the entire process of making those wonderful pots.
Our leftovers from La Hacienda was our lunch. We decided mine was better on reheat, but both (and a sopapilla) made a great lunch. Laundry had to be done too. A few hours of enforced relaxation.
Afterwards we headed to the Turquoise Museum where we learned that we knew nothing about turquoise. It actually made us more than a little paranoid about purchasing turquoise ever again. Apparently, it is very difficult for the untrained eye to see the differences, and you really have to trust that people are being honest. There were pointers on how to insure that you are getting the natural stuff, but it really does seem more like a crap shoot than anything else.
Before going back to the hotel, I wanted to stop and visit Alvin, who made my beautiful hammered silver earrings (purchased last summer). He was there and gave me a great deal on another pair of round earrings. We also visited Curtis, who made my silver bracelet. He didn't have much left, so we just chatted. He remarked on how humid it has been. We asked what "humid" is, and he said 60%. It is higher than that in our house when we have the a/c going full blast.
Dinner was unbelievable! We returned to the IPCC and ate at Pueblo Harvest. This place was fabulous. It was gourmet Mexican with a definite Native American twist. My chiles relleno were mouth-watering, and we both left with enough for another great meal tomorrow (lunch) after we visit Acoma.
Once Again: Albuquerque
7/26
The first order of business was breakfast. We'd slept fairly well with only one mild interruption at about 1 when people came home from the bike festivities. I guess some would say if we weren't such old biddies, we'd have been out with them. The breakfast area was small and located in the lobby. The eggs were cold. The fresh waffles were underdone. This is the place they raved about on Trip Advisor? Hmmm...
We headed downtown to try for some photos of the many 19th century buildings. I had some trouble finding a way to photograph things without 100s of bikes parked outside, but I hope I managed a few decent shots.
From there we drove to the National Wildlife Refuge, but as many of these are, it was simply a quiet place for birds to enjoy life and not really scenic in the usual sense of the word. So we headed west to Pecos and the Pecos Notional Historical Park.
We arrived just in time for the 10 a.m. tour. These ruins are quite estensive since 12 pueblos lived together here at one time. The Ranger was informative, and the ruins and surrounding landscape wonderful. We stayed to chat with another Ranger and to have lunch at the picnic area before heading to Albuquerque.
This place always feels like coming home to me. I am comfortable here now. We couldn't check in to our usual hotel, so we headed to the Plaza, where we checked out the Native jewelry spread out on blankets down one side of the Plaza. Glen got a silver bracelet, and the man from whom he purchased it asked about my earrings, which I'd gotten at the Plaza last year. It turned out that he recognized the artist who had won a prize at a large fair in Santa Fe last August. I asked if he was going to be around. Tomorrow! I'll be back to see what he's making this year. I also asked about an elderly gentlement from the Santo Domingo Pueblo we see ever visit. His nephew was at the blanket 'next door' and said he was home preparing for a corn celebration, and we wouldn't be seeing him this time around. I asked how he was doing, and ended up having a pleasant conversation.
Dinner was wonderful. We ate at La Hacienda, which is located directly on the Plaza. I had enchiladas done the traditional New Mexican way, with blue corn tortillas and a fried egg on top. Dinner was served with sopapillas for afterwards. We saved enough to have it for lunch today. This is the kind of Mexican food I can eat every day with joy.
Afterwards we started to stroll around the Plaza to see what was happening there. It was Sunday, so we did not expect much and were surprised and delighted to find Argentinian tango music playing and couples dancing in the gazebo. And I do mean Dancing the Tango. We really enjoyed watching them! Some were very professional and their choreography was fascinating to watch.
The first order of business was breakfast. We'd slept fairly well with only one mild interruption at about 1 when people came home from the bike festivities. I guess some would say if we weren't such old biddies, we'd have been out with them. The breakfast area was small and located in the lobby. The eggs were cold. The fresh waffles were underdone. This is the place they raved about on Trip Advisor? Hmmm...
We headed downtown to try for some photos of the many 19th century buildings. I had some trouble finding a way to photograph things without 100s of bikes parked outside, but I hope I managed a few decent shots.
From there we drove to the National Wildlife Refuge, but as many of these are, it was simply a quiet place for birds to enjoy life and not really scenic in the usual sense of the word. So we headed west to Pecos and the Pecos Notional Historical Park.
We arrived just in time for the 10 a.m. tour. These ruins are quite estensive since 12 pueblos lived together here at one time. The Ranger was informative, and the ruins and surrounding landscape wonderful. We stayed to chat with another Ranger and to have lunch at the picnic area before heading to Albuquerque.
This place always feels like coming home to me. I am comfortable here now. We couldn't check in to our usual hotel, so we headed to the Plaza, where we checked out the Native jewelry spread out on blankets down one side of the Plaza. Glen got a silver bracelet, and the man from whom he purchased it asked about my earrings, which I'd gotten at the Plaza last year. It turned out that he recognized the artist who had won a prize at a large fair in Santa Fe last August. I asked if he was going to be around. Tomorrow! I'll be back to see what he's making this year. I also asked about an elderly gentlement from the Santo Domingo Pueblo we see ever visit. His nephew was at the blanket 'next door' and said he was home preparing for a corn celebration, and we wouldn't be seeing him this time around. I asked how he was doing, and ended up having a pleasant conversation.
Dinner was wonderful. We ate at La Hacienda, which is located directly on the Plaza. I had enchiladas done the traditional New Mexican way, with blue corn tortillas and a fried egg on top. Dinner was served with sopapillas for afterwards. We saved enough to have it for lunch today. This is the kind of Mexican food I can eat every day with joy.
Afterwards we started to stroll around the Plaza to see what was happening there. It was Sunday, so we did not expect much and were surprised and delighted to find Argentinian tango music playing and couples dancing in the gazebo. And I do mean Dancing the Tango. We really enjoyed watching them! Some were very professional and their choreography was fascinating to watch.
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