Hey there!
My work week has come to a close and I’m sprung to keep it rollin’.
But let me update you on the things I’ve experienced around Albuquerque!
I’ve been planted down Monday-Wednesday renting a co-working space at FatPipe ABQ in order to be productive. It’s been a great and comfortable workspace! I’ve really appreciated the ability to have some structured workspace on this trip.
With the time change, and the fortune of a light week, I’ve found myself with a few hours in the evening to explore the local area and see some natural landmarks.
It was highly recommended to me by a close friend that I check out the Acoma Pueblo and I drove about an hour out of town only to find that they are closed to visitors due to covid — completely understandable and not a problem, of course, I greatly enjoyed the ride and scenery and opportunity to stretch my car’s legs after a long day.
On the way there, I drove by an awesome, snow-covered mountain range, and with my now-open schedule, I drove over to check it out. Before me was Mt. Taylor, a white-capped dormant volcano. It was a long drive around to the path up the summit, which was a pleasant drive with good scenery. A ways up the mountain, I hit the snowy ground, while traveling up a rocky, washboarded road. As I kept going, the road turned to dirt, which became extremely washed out and muddy due to snowmelt. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to the top, but enjoyed the challenge.
A recommendation from a friend led me to Los Cuates, where I inhaled an enormous chimichanga.
The following day, I hit up the car wash because my car was coated in mud down below, and the wheel wells were entirely filled with solid mud and rocks. I had to go through the car wash twice to get even close to clean. I noticed my front passenger side wheel well’s bolt broke off, so that will have to be replaced at some point if it starts dragging. This happened on my last Prius, too.
I was able to get over to the Petroglyph National Monument, an archaeological site where prehistoric Pueblo Native Americans etched drawings on stones and stone walls.
I hiked the Rinconada Canyon Trail to see petroglyphs on black stones left over from volcanic activity.
After that, I checked out the local Volcanoes and caught a great view of the city.
I also had the opportunity to visit Albuquerque’s Old Town, filled with historic buildings and shops, and visit the newer Sawmill Market to grab a bite.
Afterwards, I drove up to La Luz Trailhead, a trail on the Sandias mountains to the East of town, to watch the sun set over Albuquerque’s glittering lights.
On my last day in Albuquerque, I booked a trip up and down the Sandia Peak Tramway, a 2.7 mile long trip in a little cable car to get to the top of the Sandias mountains to the East of Albuquerque. The peak is 10,378 feet high and offers an 11,000 square mile aerial view. The line was long and so there was a wait, but it was worth it for the views of the mountains, massive rocks, valleys, and towering pines.
At the summit, the view did not disappoint. It felt a little sickening to be that high, and walking uphill definitely felt a ton more taxing, but it was worth it.
Plus, there was lots of snow to fall down in! Not something I expected to see in New Mexico.
You have no idea how much snow got into these boots though, ugh.
I made the trip down which was equally as exciting, watching the city come into full view and materialize in clarity beneath me.
As my time in Albuquerque concluded, I made the decision to travel Northeast up to Santa Fe to visit a friend. I took the roundabout way through Jemez Pueblo, past Jemez hot springs (which I sadly couldn’t soak at because it was too late), and up the mountains of the Jemez national recreation area.
There are a bunch of hot springs in the area, and I stopped over at Spence hot springs, which is a small hike up the mountain, right off the road. It. Was. Amazing. It reminded me of hot springs I had visited in Idaho, albeit a little less clear, but definitely more accessible. I definitely intend to return.
It was hard to leave, but I dragged myself out so I had time to arrive in town before the sun had fully set. On the drive back, I passed Valles Caldera national preserve, which was absolutely breathtaking. I have to make the trip back out to really enjoy it more fully.
So here we are! I made the trip to Santa Fe, and plan on having a home base here while I check out all the richness that the area has to offer.
See you soon!