...since I'm moving there! :D

Yeah, it's HOT and DRY. :D So when is the big move?
DJ

Don't drink the water!!!!!

Also avoid Mexico City. Very polluted and congested. People are nice though.

Mexico City in New Mexico?
DJ

Sorry I missed the New! It's ok to drink the water, I think.

I haven't been to New Mexico in several years, but I remember how beautiful it is. I hope you love it, Greg. I loved visiting there.

Sharon

Bob - I don't think there is much water to drink!

I'm moving to Santa Fe (up in the mountains) so it's not really that hot...still dry though! Moving next week...it's time for a new adventure. Everyone does that at least once in their life (ok, maybe not everyone! :D )

Sounds exciting! Take some pictures. I love to see different parts of the country. From what I understand, great photo ops in NM. Good luck!!!

Bob

I think you will really love the change of scenery Greg. Good luck on your move. Keep us informed.
DJ

You didn't say why your moving there. Your in the military and have been reassagned. Your daddy is moving the family and you have to go.
Your wife wants to be close to her mother?
That's where the State Prison is.:) :D :oldman:

Greg - LOL... none of the above! I just want to see another part of the world...experience new things, etc... :) My brother lives out there and has been trying to get me to move for some time...plus I am lining up a nice job at an art gallery as well! I believe Santa Fe ranks third in the U.S. behind New York and LA as far as the size and reputation of it's contemporary art market.

Believe me, I've heard of the art scene there. That is very good, working in a gallery, will you be producing art too?
I like the south western, mexian, indian flavour of stuff there, and the architecture is also neat. Even has seasons.

Originally posted by fugitive
...will you be producing art too?

I hope so! :D I have been in a rut since art school (I go months with doing nothing, followed by a month or two of being productive)...it will help to be around other artists...maybe rent some studio space!

I do wish you luck on this endevor. I'm too old to follow my dreams that way. If I can't do it right here with this puter, it ain't gonna happen.
Months, I go blank for a couple days and I worry, guess I should shut up. When are you going, are you going to find us again?

New Mexico hosts an annual hot air balloon festival (somewhere?)that I'm told is just spectacular. I've only seen pics. Your bro' will no doubt know the details.

Sensational photo opportunities + gobs of fun if you're into ballooning (tried it once... it was a blast).

Have fun! Good luck! Hurry back to RetouchPRO!
Danny

Originally posted by fugitive
When are you going, are you going to find us again?

I'm leaving in a week...and dragging my computer with me! I can't live without it. :) I might be a fish out of water for a while though... east coast city boy goes west! :D

Danny- The balloon thing sounds awesome! I'm not much of a photographer but you better believe I will be dusting off my trusty old Canon AE1 and shooting lots of slides! Hopefully I can still remember how to work the thing.... ;)

If you forget, I'll help you, as that's my camera too. And lotsa dust.

Santa Fe should be dry and cool. I've never lived in New Mexico but have motorcycled through the state many times. I was usually on my way to Colorado. :)

I've been pretty busy, and didn't see this thread until now. Best of luck to you Greg. It sounds like you've got all the loose ends tied together pretty well. Just don't get lost on the way! :)

Ed

Thanks Ed! I doubt even I could get lost going out there...I just get on Interstate 40 here in Raleigh and drive west until i get to Santa Fe.. can't get much easier than that!

Danny - I found some info on the balloon festival you mentioned. It's the "Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta" and it's held in October! There are some wonderful images on their website...

http://www.aibf.org/index.php

Hey, that baloon fest would be worth seeing. They had one here once several years back and it was a site to see. I woke up to some strange noises and looked out in the yard to find the skys filled with hundreds of colorful hot air baloons. I was snapping pictures like crazy. Later I found out many had landed in canals, on roadways and even on top of peoples homes. Never had another one after that. :D Sounds like you have some adventures in store for you Greg. Keep us informed.
DJ

Greg C...

RE: Canon AE-1
Wore out my first one; still have my second one...but now use a Nikon 35mm. Got it as a gift a couple years ago from my wife mostly because it had autofocus, which compensated for my non-autofocus eyeballs.

RE:"Albuquerque"
Yeah, that's the place. Go figure on the spelling of that city, huh?

When you get to the point where you can spell "Albuquerque" w/o looking, then you'll know the transplant has officially begun!

Perfect timing on getting moved and settled in time for the gig this year. Thx for sending the link.

~Danny~

Greg -- how exciting!

Being a southwesterner, I'm betting that you'll love New Mexico and Santa Fe in particular. My mother grew up in New Mexico, so we've always felt tied to the "Land of Enchantment" -- I hope that you'll be enchanted also.

Here are some links you may find useful:

New Mexico has clear skies for astronomers (http://www.sdss.org/iotw/iotw.html)
Sugarite Park (http://www.gmfsh.state.nm.us/PageMill_TExt/Publication/sugarite.html)
New Mexico State Parks - NE sections (http://www.newmexico.org/outdoors/northeast.html)

There are strict water restrictions, however --
Drought - water conditions (http://www.ci.santa-fe.nm.us/sfweb/Water/PublicUtilities-SangredeCristo-Stage3EmergencyWaterRestrictionsInformation.htm)

Greg - I think you're going to love Santa Fe! Very nice city - and very near Taos, another artists' mecca. It'll be scorching hot (but no humidity) during the day at this time of the year, but it should cool off nicely at night - esp. if you're going to be in the mountains outside the city.

Good luck on your new venture. Sounds exciting! :D

Jeanie

P.S. Bob, don't feel bad about missing the "New". When I read this thread at first, I thought it was a discussion about Mexico too. ;)

DJ - I have never been in a balloon but I think I will finally have the chance!

Danny - I have to copy and paste "Albuquerque"!:D I got my AE1 in college and have never wanted another camera. Granted, it does not have all the gizmos of other cameras but I like the fact that I can leave everything on manual and have total control. I'm not the greatest photographer, but I love the results I get from that camera! I wish I had more lenses though...I have a 28mm f2.5 and 50mm f1.4 ...know anywhere that sells old Canon FD lenses? :D

CJ - I have an uncle who lives in northern Arizona and he seems to love it and says the same about New Mexico. I'll have to ask your advice on places to go in Arizona when I travel over that way! You are right about clear skys for astronomers. One of the first places I want to go is the VLA (http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/intro/vlapix/tresmontosas2.jpg) (Very Large Array). It's the worlds largest radio telescope...anyone seen the movie "Contact"?

Jeanie - An "artist's mecca" is what I need!

Originally posted by G. Couch
[B]DJ - I have never been in a balloon but I think I will finally have the chance!

Danny - I have to copy and paste "Albuquerque"!:D I got my AE1 in college and have never wanted another camera. Granted, it does not have all the gizmos of other cameras but I like the fact that I can leave everything on manual and have total control. I'm not the greatest photographer, but I love the results I get from that camera! I wish I had more lenses though...I have a 28mm f2.5 and 50mm f1.4 ...know anywhere that sells old Canon FD lenses? :D



I only got my 28mm a couple yrs ago for $60, I don't think the FDs will die too soon. Go on line, or look at small private stores. There are also large catalog outfits.
greg

Originally posted by G. Couch
[B I like the fact that I can leave everything on manual and have total control. ...know anywhere that sells old Canon FD lenses? [/B]

I used to have the AE-1 too. My memory might be failing, but isn't that camera either (your choice) an aperture or shutter priority? I don't remember it as having the ability to set both the aperture and shutter speeds on the same exposure. In other words total manual control. ??? Re: Canon FD lenses...give ebay a try. You might get lucky.

Ed

Ed- Actually I have an AE1 Program.

It has a full program mode - set the shutter dial to "Program" and the lens to "A" (or green dot)

For shutter priority you just move the shutter dial from "Program" to whatever speed you want and leave the aperture to "A".

For total manual control you move the shutter speed dial off "program" And move the Aperture ring off "A" and set to whatever f-stop you want...:)

Well, I do hope you have a good time there. I recently vacationed in Roswell and it was a good deal of fun (for the week I was there).

Did the Route 66 thing as well. (I LOVE seeing New Mexico Scenery at 110mph, it hardly moves :tongue: )

Some AWESOME photography sites would be The Caverns over in Carlesbad. If you go into the caves, definitely take some long term exposure and a tripod. The Bats flying out of there is an awesome site.

Rick

Well, if you're going to go check out AZ - first, say "hi" to my sis who lives in Phoenix... LOL

Then, go to Jerome. It's one of the coolest places in the whole state IMHO. It's an old mining town on the top of a mountain. It's now a sort of artsy/antique type of place. The scenery is beautiful - you go all the way up on switchback roads with wonderful scenic vistas. And in Jerome (at least when I was living in AZ) there are some neat old buildings that have decayed and have plants and things growing into them. I just thought it was a beautiful place....

Thanks Jeaniesa. Having company when a mistake is made is very comforting.

Bob

Bob - Don't worry...I'll probably make my way down to Mexico one of these days...for the food, not the water! :D

Rick - I doubt my little Honda can handle 110mph! I have heard all about Carlsbad! I'm going to try to make it down there before the bats leave for the winter.

Jak - Thanks for the tip. I'm keeping a list of all the places I want to go...it's hard because there is so much to see within a one or two day drive!

You're going to love it in Santa Fe, I was there last week on vacation, lot's of art, photo ops, friendly people and great weather, although at this time of the year it's their "rainy season" and in the afternoons it clouded up and sometimes rained, to the pleasure of the locals, but I'll take that in exchange for cool mornings and highs in the 80's with no humidity.
So much to see and do, we only scratched the surface, I'm jealous.
Best of luck!

Greg,

The mention of balloons had me searching for some old prints from the mid eighties. A friend’s wife was wondering what present she would get for her husbands birthday and a balloon ride was suggested. It was a surprise present and he didn’t know what he was in for until we reached the take off field, I went along merely as a spectator but somebody cancelled and I took a ride. The predominant memory was the speed of ascent; we went up like a rocket and had a smooth landing only a few miles away due to light breezes. These two rough scans show A: the preparation of the balloon, the basket is alongside the van, I didn’t realise the balloon was inflated by a large fan blowing cold air into the envelope followed by a quick burst on the gas jets to bring the whole set up vertical ready for take off. B: Shows the balloon slowly deflating after landing, note the figure at left to give an idea of the size.

Greg if you get the chance to go up in one seize it, its amazingly quiet as you drift across country punctuated by the occasional blast of the gas jets. I’ve flown in most forms of infernal devices and after parachuting this was the most memorable.

The amazing thing about balloon festivals is that you have hundreds of balloons all inflating on the ground at the same time. So as all of them start to "stand up", you feel like you're walking through a forest of huge balloons - all shapes, colors and sizes. You can get some amazing photos during the inflation and initial take off phases.

I've never been to the ballon festival in Albuquerque (sp?), but a few years ago there was one here in Fort Collins (much smaller than the Albuquerque one). It was awesome!

Jeanie

Sure you want to move there???...you know that Don Imus lives there.

:rolleyes:


AH

Chris - I'm definitely going to try arranging a ride...although, I might have to knock back a few shots of strong whiskey prior to getting into the contraption!...small fear of heights :D Things will be fine as long as the balloon ride does not combine with a parachute jump...

AH - Speaking of hot air... ;) I did not know Imus lived there...I doubt we will be neighbors though!

Same here Greg I don't like flying but am strangely drawn to it. I've no doubt many planes still bear the impression of my fingertips digging into seatbacks etc. As you can see from the pictures the balloon was a 'jumbo' size so there were several people aloft in it. I wasnt too impressed with the small holes in the basket floor though !

Greg...

If you get the opportunity check out the Imus show...it's a hoot on TV !! He broadcasts from his ranch in NM, and he wears a godawful looking cowboy hat with all that hair sticking out.

It comes on from 6 to 7 AM (EST) on MSNBC.

Good Luck on your move...never lived there, but hear that NM is just beautiful!

AH



:)

Originally posted by fugitive
I'm too old to follow my dreams that way.

I have been to your neck of the woods and loved it. If I lived there I wouldn't want to leave.

Steve

Hey Greg!

Glad to see you made it okay. Have you had a chance to see much yet?

Ed

Thanks Ed! The trip out was fun...watching the landscape slowly change as I drove was interesting. I got the chance to wander around Santa Fe yesterday and was amazed at the city. Very alive, full of color and LOTS of art galleries! The hardest thing so far has been adjusting to the climate. Coming from the south, I'm used to 90% humidity! I have to drink water all the time here or I'll dry out like a raisin. :D

This weekend we are planning a day trip (if it's open) to Bandalier National Monument which is just south of where I am, so I should hopefully get some nice photos.

Greg, glad you had an enjoyable trip, and also glad that you're drinking enough WATER. :)

While you're on your day trip, you might want to stop at San Ildefonso pueblo or one of the others in the area -- if you have any interest in Native American pottery. San Ildefonso was famous for beautiful black on black pottery, while Santa Clara has blackware, redware, and polychrome, and Acoma is famous for geometric designs (and very fine lines, as I remember from Anthro classes).

Here's a link to give you a taste:
Pueblo Pottery (http://www.pueblopottery.com/)

(P.S. If you go to a pueblo, be careful to ask before taking any photographs, and be ready to pay for the privilege.)

Thanks CJ...I love all types of pottery, even learned how to throw pottery in school! The interesting thing about some of the Native American pottery (white on black, black on black, etc...) is it's resemblance to some Greek and African designs. It's cool how cultures so far apart and seemingly different can often share similar symbols and designs.

I read all about Pueblo rules and laws...it's like visiting another country, so it pays to observe the rules! :)

Absolutely the most beautiful place you will ever see, now maybe not Albuquerice or however you spell but Santa Fe and Taos are to die for, unlimited art, culture, music and the food, oh my god, I have to go right now for a visit. You will be overwhelmed and if you ski, Taos is superb. There is also a fabulous art/design center school there.:cool:

If you get the chance get down to the White Sands National Park. You will not believe the sunsets and sunrise there. Also great backgrounds for portraits. :cool:

Hi Platscha and Bill Guy.
Welcome aboard. You both really make me want to head on over to New Mexico on my next vacation. I know Greg will be happy to hear any good places to see now that they are in his back yard. :)
DJ