Salon - - Anyone know much about New Mexico? - Page 3

Jakaleena · #31 07-18-2002, 08:01 PM

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....

Bob Walden · #32 07-19-2002, 03:43 PM

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

Bob

G. Couch · #33 07-19-2002, 04:59 PM

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

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!

Paul · #34 07-19-2002, 08:55 PM

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!

chris h · #35 07-20-2002, 04:54 AM

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.

jeaniesa · #36 07-20-2002, 08:22 AM

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

aginghippie · #37 07-20-2002, 08:31 AM

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

AH

G. Couch · #38 07-20-2002, 09:55 AM

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

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!

chris h · #39 07-20-2002, 10:55 AM

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 !

aginghippie · #40 07-20-2002, 12:52 PM

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

Steve Taylor · #41 07-21-2002, 10:30 PM

Quote:

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

Ed_L · #42 07-29-2002, 08:45 PM

Hey Greg!

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

Ed

G. Couch · #43 07-30-2002, 08:46 AM

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.

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.

CJ Swartz · #44 07-30-2002, 09:17 AM

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

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

G. Couch · #45 07-30-2002, 05:40 PM

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!