Albuquerque

From Tombstone we drove into New Mexico across arid, rocky country to Lordsburg then north to Silver City noted for it’s large silver and copper mines.  From here we took a winding alpine byway rising to 6000 feet.  A bit better country with low pine trees and prickly pear.  Saw a couple of deer on the road.  Decided to park overnight beside the road, very quiet with hardly any traffic.

Continuing on this byway through a couple of tiny towns we met the Rio Grande which we followed north through the town of Truth Or Consequences to Albuquerque.  We had trouble locating the RV parks in our book but found a quiet but tired looking park right on the bus route to the city. The owner wasn’t on site till morning and on closer inspection the park was pretty disgusting so first thing next morning we decided to leave (yes, we did pay for overnight but at a reduced rate).  Found the American RV Park on Route 66 and it’s great.  Very new, large and roomy sites, and all mod cons., lawn, trees, pool, even complimentary breakfast in a little café each day.

Albuquerque is a very nice city, spread over a large area and easy to get around. It is situated at the centre of the state of New Mexico and lies at an altitude of around 6000 ft.  The Sandia Mountains rise above it to 10,300 ft.  The country is very dry and rocky except for the area close to the Rio Grande which runs through the city and irrigates nearby agriculture.

Decided to get a rental car for our two days in Albuquerque and headed off to the old historic part of town.  Spanish style adobe and stucco buildings create ample photo opportunities.  Had a Mexican lunch at a lovely café.  Our table was in the courtyard with pond and vines overhead, a guitarist completed the scene.  Our menu included tamales, burritos, served with red and green chilli (not as hot as I expected. Also sapodillas (fried bread eaten with honey).  After lunch we drove to Nob Hill, another historic suburb close to the University, with many restaurants, up market boutiques and nice homes.

Next morning we drove to a petroglyph canyon near the city and actually next to a new subdivision.  The canyon is an ancient black lava flow.  Petroglyph National Monument contains over 20,000 images pecked in stone – some recognizable as animals, people. It is estimated that the images were made 400 to 700 years ago by the ancestors of todays native people. The track was very sandy and after viewing some of the petroglyphs we decided not to complete the 4k route. 

After lunch we drove 70 miles west to Acoma Peublo (Sky City), an Indian village set on a high rocky mesa at 7000 ft.  It is a small area of dwellings surrounded by sheer cliffs and reached by one road.  The road is a modern addition, access originally was by way of a stairway.  A native guide showed us around his village which is mostly inhabited by elders.  Extended families come “home” for special ceremonies.

View from Acoma



Acoma Pueblo atop the Mesa




Hand made pottery in Acoma



On our third morning I returned the rental car to town and John picked me up in the RV.  We then visited RV Camping World, where we drooled at the sumptuous RV’s on offer.  How about the 40 foot beauty pictured for $230,000.

Before leaving Alburquerque we rode the Sandia Peak Tramway (the longest cable car in the world at 2.7 miles long) and lunched at the 10,300 Restaurant.



Hummingbird Nest







Nice toys at RV Camping World









A neat fit