2011 Balloon Fiesta

The view heading down to the field

I promised the kids that I would take them to the balloon fiesta this year. I feel like I had told them that we would do a bunch of things and hadn't lived up to my end of the deal, so the Balloon Fiesta was a must.

It's kind of cold, but they aren't complaining

Though I don't think my kids have the concept down just now of how friggin' lucky they are to be able to do all the awesome stuff they do. Even doing awesome stuff when they aren't doing awesome stuff. That's how awesome it is. So a couple things could be going on here with this. I could really just like saying the word awesome. Or I could be trying to make myself think that it's awesome when it's really not. Or it really may be just plain awesome. I'll go with the first and last statement of awesomeness.

She's got the whole world waiting for her.

So we went on the last day of the fiesta. I realized I left my IPhone at home. Which I suppose it's normal to forget things when you have to wake up at 5am. And I did. I also forgot to charge the camera battery. But memories are in your heart, right? Whatever, I want mobile uploads and pictures. Anyhow, slightly limited, but you get what you get and you don't throw a fit.





Balloon babes

Elmer reluctantly got bribed with Azalea's snuggles to come with us.

Darth Vader balloon, if you didn't notice

The inside of the balloon before it went upright.

Spyder Pig about to launch

What a trooper on the crutches

Arizona trying to represent with their saguaro cactus balloons

At last the balloon bees kiss

Apparently not limited on pictures. Seems I took close to one million.

Also, I tried "adjusting" my blog format, and now it's stinky. I'll work on it more when I have patience. (could be a while before that happens)

Volcanos on the Edge of Town

Just before school started for Azalea and Tigo, we when went just past the edge of Albuquerque to that place on the horizon you watch when the sun goes down.

Literally. The dormant volcanos that make their home in a place the government calls the Petroglyphs National Monument. This part is further away, but really not far at all.

Far enough that you feel removed and remote with a beautiful vista.

An easy little hike that can make even the smallest of hikers and the biggest of complainers feel like they conquered a feat.

A nice place for 5-8 year olds to have intellectual discussions about the creation of the mountains.

(Tigo has so good nerdy friends on his brainiac wavelength)

Poor little lizards get chased by dogs. Some are luckier than others.

A small little cave to hide from the sun and pretend the dinosaurs lived their. While my science needs to be checked I believe these volcanos may be post dinosaur time. It's still fun to believe like Sting sings. "Walking in their footsteps"

And a nice way to call it a day.

Jemez Again

When it is important to get out of the house for the day and bring all children and canines alike along, the Jemez is a good place to go.

I always think that it is closer than it really is. Either way, it is worth the journey. The colors and the landscape are truly amazing. It's a canyon in New Mexico that I really love. The landscape is not like many others. The rocks are as red as you might see them at Red Rocks, Colorado. But the glory and the glamour are hidden in the trees.

I was telling a friend about something I admired about Albuquerque. She joked that "oh, there's something you like about new mexico". I find I'm too critical in conversation. It's so easy to point out the troubles rather to embrace the beauties. At least in conversation.

When I commit to writing, I try to be more positive. Unfortunately though, I noticed my spoken word has been less than soothing.

Deeper into the mountains, there is more water than in most places here in New Mexico and a little magic thrown in. Sometimes it takes a little more searching to find the treasures. But they are out there waiting to be discovered. 

Sadly, the waters ran dark. The kids joked that it looked like Willy Wonka's Chocolate River.

It really did. But not quite so tasty. The rivers ran muddy from the aftermath of the fires this summer.

 This river flows from Los Alamos where a large fire forced evacuation of the entire town and caused so much damage. Sadness. People were saved. But the land was ruined. Altered from natures original intention.  These waters usually run crystal clear. Clean and deliciousness.

There is so much debate about fire supression. Let it burn for rejuvenation or supress and enjoy. But eventually it will catch up and the "big one" will come too close.

I love the look on Azalea's face. She had just fallen in the water and we went back to the car to dry off. The dogs are watching to eagerly for their cue to jump out of the car and go play the others.

Only moments before the thunder which claimed the end to this part of the adventure.

One final stop for Indian fry bread on the way home at the roadside stand.

Don't forget the honey!



Active Art in Albuquerque

I was waiting for my yoga class to begin and had some weird in between time that I didn't want to waste, but I wanted to fill and wanted to use it. I brought my computer and pulled up to see if I could get some Wifi. Probably should have been able to, but I can't get my stupid settings to work.  Anyhow, I had driven past a wooden picket fence.

But it wasn't an ordinary wooden picket fence. Each piece was painted a different color.

 And then I looked up and I saw a mural that I had noticed before and I spun my head around.

There, surrounding me, noticed yet very unappreciated was active art in my city.

Not active in that it was in motion, but active in that it was displayed in broad public places for all to see. You did not have to go into a museum or a studio to view.

I decided to quickly circle the 2 city blocks near downtown albuquerque that encompass my yoga class.

I was quite amazed at the murals.

And the tile work on the sides of buildings.

There was detail on shops.

There was even a sad billboard in the mix. (I feel I have to put it in for truth's sake)

I had my Iphone with me, so as you noticed, I started snapping pictures.

I couldn't get to all of the murals.

Then there was this blank brick wall. It was an old wall no doubt. But it began to look oddly artistic in it's non-painted way. 

Even in alley ways. (This one is harder to see. But it is of two ravens, the one on the far side is upside down.)

There were so many. I was truly impressed with the art and the positive messages that were being displayed throught the artwork on the sides of buildings.

All before my first vinyasa of the day.