Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Mission Statement To preserve and perpetuate Pueblo culture and to advance understanding by presenting with dignity and respect, the accomplishments and evolving history of the Pueblo people of New Mexico. 

 The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center has permanent exhibits detailing the history of the Indians in New Mexico, and a section for the specific history, crafts, and photos of each of the 19 Pueblos.  In addition, I saw the following temporary exhibits:
Generations of Prayer, Song and Dance
The works of Larry Phillips Sr., - Ohkay Owingeh Artist
This powerful exhibition showcases the career of Ohkay Owingeh photographer and traditional artist Larry Phillips, Sr.  One of the first Native artists to practice photography, Phillips offers a compelling portrait of the Ohkay Owingeh way of life, giving vivid representation to scenes of prayer, song and dance passed down through generations. His images of Ohkay Owingeh dancers tell a story of the living culture of his People, the role of prayer in Pueblo life and how the beat of the drum connects them to the earth and all living things.
Albuquerque Indian School Retrospective
The AIS experience was unique and in ways different than other boarding school experiences in other states. It gave Native students a place to integrate cultural diversity, while learning trades and skills that could be utilized in their home communities or within surrounding towns. The campus played an important role in the lives of each individual, whether by choice or demands. The impact on their lives and this campus will never be forgotten. The purpose of the Albuquerque Indian School Retrospective exhibition is to convey the boarding school experience through a historical beginning of harsh realities and take the visitor through a journey, a path of forcible education to lifetime friendships.
A Special IPCC Exhibition - 100 Years of State & Federal Policy: The Impact on Pueblo Nations.
This exhibition and its public programming will reflect upon the human experience behind enacted policies and laws on Pueblo communities by other governments. It will add to a well-documented history of Pueblo resilience since the time of Emergence. Interviews with Pueblo members will provide visitors with historical and personal reflections to help them understand and appreciate these historic challenges, often imposed through policy and laws, all intended to purposefully remove Pueblo people away from their core values. 

All the exhibits were educational and thought-provoking.  Photography is prohibited in most of the galleries, but I was allowed to take pictures of some of the art, and also of the drummers and dancers who performed the Deer Dance in the courtyard.  The dance was well-attended even though it was a 95 degree day.  I would recommend going to the center on a day when a dance is scheduled, because it was fascinating.  The various videos in the exhibits were excellent as well. 

Domingo Baca Canyon

There are several trails that start in the Elena Gallegos Open Space in the Northeast part of Albuquerque.  Stephen and I explored a short piece of the Pino trail one day.  I decided to hike the Domigo Baca Canyon trail on this warm sunny morning.  It begins in a sort of desert meadow then climbs gradually into a wooded canyon.  It is a less strenuous hike than the Hawk Watch trail because it is much less steep.  As I got farther into the canyon, however, the trail became narrower and eventually I decided to turn around because my legs were getting scratched and stabbed.  I would love to go back in cold weather wearing long pants and explore more of the canyon.  From the Domingo Baca trail, it is possible to take an unmarked side trail to the site of the 1955 TWA plane crash, where there is apparently still debris.  I didn't want to go that far today and I don't feel comfortable going off-trail alone with my notoriously poor sense of direction. 

I saw quail, a coyote, jackrabbits, a deer, and many lizards during the hike, but I was too slow to take photos of any of them.  In the canyon I saw wildflowers including mullein, bee balm, coneflower, and penstemon.  I saw one slightly damp spot in the otherwise dry stream beds, but the presence of so many flowering plants suggests recent rain.

When I got back to the picnic area, I was delighted to discover a lovely nature trail that is completely wheelchair accessible.  There's even an accessible outhouse!  I'm adding the nature trail to the list of activities to do when my brother visits in November.

Hawk Watch Trail

The Hawk Watch trail is a side trip off the Three Gun Spring trail in the foothills of the Sandias just East of our house.  In April, it's a popular place to watch the raptor migrations.  I thought I'd give it a go to see how strenuous it is and be prepared to go up next spring when it will be crowded with bird watchers.
On a Wednesday in July, there were only two other hikers.  It was a somewhat hazy, cloudy day, unusual for Albuquerque (but we're in an El Nino monsoon season), and it was around 88 degrees in the city; cooler the higher I went.  The trail is only about 2 miles long but climbs about 1200 feet over that distance.  There are stone and wood steps in places, and the recent rains have caused quite a bit of erosion, making it a bit more challenging.  The views were spectacular, but I had to stop to catch my breath a few times, and I drank a lot of water along the way.

Farmers Market

The Downtown Growers Market has been operating since 1996.  It takes place every Saturday morning from May - Nov in a park in downtown ABQ.  There were at least 50 vendors there this morning, but fewer than half were food vendors, and even fewer of those had fresh veggies.  There are lots of crafts, soaps, and prepared foods.  A band was playing in the middle of the park and lots of folks were hanging out relaxing, eating, enjoying the music, playing games and visiting.  There was a juggler.  There were way too many people with dogs for the size of the crowd in the small park, in my opinion, but I don't enjoy being accosted by strange dogs.  Although it's in the middle of the city and it was quite crowded, there was ample parking provided in a nearby lot.
The market uses solar power for the PA and any vendors that require electricity.  They encourage recycling.  The food vendors accept EBT/SNAP and WIC, and you can use a debit card to purchase market tokens if you didn't bring cash.  Prices for veggies varied widely but seemed generally consistent with markets in upstate NY.
It would be fun to go with a friend or a group and stay to eat and listen to the band.  For a quick stop for veggies, it is a bit overwhelmingly crowded and busy.  I would definitely consider it a destination rather than an errand.