Pueblo Montano Sculpture Garden and Open Space

This small sculpture garden is at the head of a link to the Bosque Trail system here in Albuquerque.  The next photo explains the sculptures:

 After photographing the sculptures, I explored some of the trails to get an idea of the area.  I ended up walking about five and a half miles.  I got a few glimpses of the river, although in most places  trees and underbrush block the view even though the path runs parallel to the river. 

Once you get away from Montano road the trail is quiet and the scenery is pretty.  I heard birds and saw lizards and enjoyed the green.  The parking area was free and not very crowded.  I will keep this on my list of local walks to return to.

Katie and Doug at Tent Rocks

 When Stephen and I visited Tent Rocks National Monument the first time it was very crowded.  I thought that being fourth of July weekend, we would find it at least as busy as the first time but in fact it was much less so, possibly because of the heat.  We came prepared with sunscreen and lots of water and fruit, and my goofy hat...  in other words, we knew it would be hot, and it was!  But we prevailed.

I showed Doug where we hiked last time and what the options were for longer and shorter loops.

There's so much to see that you have to pause and look up once in a while!

Somehow Doug and I got ahead of Katie and Stephen (I think they were taking pictures).

 We made it to the top!  Elevation 6299 ft.

Looking down on the trail below.  See the people?

Heading back down, single file.

El Rancho de las Golondrinas

New Mexico's Living History Museum

A while back, an acquaintance asked me if I had been to El Rancho de las Golondrinas yet.  Yet?  I hadn't even heard of it!  The Madigans' recent visit afforded us the opportunity to finally see this beautiful museum, situated on 200 acres near Santa Fe.  The day we went happened to be during the Santa Fe Wine Festival, but we were mostly there to enjoy the museum, although Doug and Katie tasted a couple of wines and we all enjoyed the salsa band playing under a tent in the courtyard.

 The docents are all dressed in period costume.  There are bakers, spinners, weavers, a blacksmith, millers, etc.  Some of the buildings are from the original farm and some were saved and moved to the site from other locations.

 It is a bit of a hike to see everything, up and down hills and stairs, and not wheelchair accessible.  You do need to duck through low doorways and step over high thresholds and watch your head inside some of the buildings.