Day 10 - Albuquerque

 Saturday was a busy day. After breakfast we headed out to visit the Balloon Museum located next to the grounds where the annual Balloon Fiesta happens every year at the beginning of October.  This year the Fiesta will begin next weekend and last a week, while we are in Palm Springs. The museum itself is fascinating, telling the history of ballooning dating way back. 

Our next stop was Old Town Albuquerque where we wandered the streets, visited several shops, and talked with several retired men gathered in the small park there. We even checked out a beautifully painted motorcycle. 

By this time it was after 1 pm and we were all very thirsty so we drove downtown looking for a bar and grill. We found one across the street from the historic KiMo Theater, called 

Lindy's Diner. The Diner has been there since the 1920's, right on Route 66.  We enjoyed some refreshing beer and a sample platter of appetizers as well as a chat with the owner. 

After our thirst was quenched and our tummies were satisfied, we headed back to our campground but stopped first at the Coronada Pueblo Site. We opted not to go into the small Museum there as the price was steep but we did get some photos of the ruins outside. 

It was then time to relax a little while at our campsite before heading out to dinner to meet friends.  The campground is located next to the Rio Grande River which is currently low on water but still running. 

We had dinner with Bruce and Kirsten Wilder, friends since 1985 when we joined the church Bruce was pastor of at the time. Since then Bruce and Kirsten lived in Minnesota for a time before moving to Albuquerque to answer a call as Pastor of a Lutheran Church here. He retired not long ago from that church and they are now active in another church in the area. We enjoyed dinner at El Patron, but more importantly we enjoyed spending time catching up with Bruce and Kirsten. It had been 6 years since we had last seen them, also here in Albuquerque but at a different restaurant.  

Day 9 - Drive to Albuquerque

 Our drive to Albuquerque included several stops. The first was for fuel at Toot'n Totum before we left Amarillo, at $4.14 a gallon diesel. The second stop was the halfway point of Route 66 between Chicago and Santa Monica, just a quick photo there. 

From there we drove to Tucumcari where we stopped for breakfast at Kix on 66 and visited TeePee Curios just a block away.

Much of the town is deserted and lots of buildings are closed and rundown.  

On to Blue Hole in Santa Rosa NM. We are on mountain time now so we gained an hour today. 

The Blue Hole is a natural spring 81 feet deep and having an outflow of 3000 gal/min. The temperature is a mild 61°.  Mike was the only one brave enough to jump in all the way. Joanne and I put our feet in at the steps, enough for us.  The hole is used for scuba training as well as being a tourist attraction.  

Coronado Campground in Bernalillo is our "home" for 3 nights. After settling in we headed out in the jeep to catch a ride on the Sandia Peek Tramway. We have tried to do this before but the weather never cooperated. This time it did. The ride up the mountain took about 15 minutes in the car with about 40 people packed in. There were about the same number in the car on the return trip down. At the top we were about 10, 400 ft above sea level. Albuquerque is about 5300 ft above sea level, higher than Denver. The views were well worth the trip up and back. 

After that adventure we headed back to the RV for a late dinner and bedtime.