Today is the beginning of my participation in the Writers of Kern A-Z blog challenge. The mission is to write a post for each letter of the alphabet over the next thirteen weeks. I've decided to write about places I've lived or traveled to in the world.
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A is for
Albuquerque
When I was
learning United State geography in elementary school, one of my first thoughts
about Albuquerque was That’s a huge word! I’d hate to live there and have to
spell that every time I wrote my address.
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Many years later,
I found myself in Albuquerque almost every year as I traveled Interstate 40 and
Route 66 across the United States on summer trips to visit my family in
Michigan. The itinerary always included dinner and browsing the shops in Old
Town. Today, I’m still using some blue and white pottery dishes that I bought
on one of those stop-overs.
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| on the Art Museum grounds |
Albuquerque is the place for art lovers. We find
it in the streets and shops, the scores of galleries, on the University campus,
and the Museum of Art and History.
With easy access
out for day trips, Albuquerque is great as a base camp. One summer, my mom, sister and I were on a Southwest
road trip and ventured out to Santa Fe from our Albuquerque motel. While making
our way to San Antonio one spring, Judy and I stayed over in Albuquerque. From
there, we immersed ourselves in New Mexico history, exploring the cliff
dwellings of Bandelier National Monument and the Jémez Pueblo.
Well-known as the
Ballooning Capital of the World, Albuquerque hosts an annual international
balloon fiesta. This fall marks the 42nd festival. I would love to see those
magnificent, brightly-colored balloons filling up the sky. And, I'd enjoy a day among the memorabilia in Albuquerque’s balloon museum. I’m seeing
another visit to Albuquerque in my future.
Do you have an
Albuquerque story to share?
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xoA ~
(All photos from google images)
As I was pondering my A-Z subjects my first thought was Albuquerque. I've traveled through there several times on I-40, and even stayed a few nights on occasion. I remember the beautiful artwork along the sides of the interstate and overpasses. Desert colors of pinks and turquoise. I always loved that part of the trip because of the beauty of the city and surrounding areas.
ReplyDeleteJoan
It truly is a beautiful city. Thanks for commenting, Joan. xoA
DeleteI have never been to Albuquerque. Though, I just love saying the word. There are so many places that I want to visit and I am jealous of how much you have experienced Annis. Maybe someday I will have stories like that to tell :-)
ReplyDeleteJust keep living, Donnee. Working as a teacher, I did have summers to take long driving trips. But now that I'm retired, I'm clicking off the places I want to see. Thanks for writing. xoA
DeleteAlbuquerque sounds wonderful. I'll have to add that to the list of places I want to visit.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd really enjoy it, Jasmine. I appreciate you reading and commenting. xoA
DeleteAnnis- Yes, I have been to Albuquerque, though it's been a while. My father was born in Colorado, my mother in Missouri. I spent some time "getting my kicks, on Route 66." We usually just passed through, though I'd love to spend some quality time there (including Santa Fe and Taos, which I've never seen). One of my oldest memories of those family trips was travelling through the wastelands of West Texas; when I remarked upon the lack of scenic beauty, my sister replied "I think we took a wrong turn back in Albuquerque" (with apologies to the great Bugs Bunny)
ReplyDeleteDavyd, thanks for commenting and sharing your memories of family trips. Albuquerque is definitely worth a visit; I think you would enjoy Taos and Santa Fe, too, lovely art communities.
ReplyDeletexoA
I really want to go on a balloon ride. Even just being on the ground and watching them float through the sky. Albuquerque - ha! that was quite hard to spell, I had to cheat and scroll above - sounds like a good place to check out.
ReplyDeleteAlbuquerque has a lot to offer, Jason, and it's certainly the place to take in all those gorgeous balloons. Thanks for commenting. xoA
DeleteAlbuquerque gets extra points for the two q's. I have never been but hope to stop in someday. I did get to see the launch of a multitude of hot air balloons out in the Ridgecrest area...there is nothing quite like it...!
ReplyDeleteCool, Anna. Ridgecrest is at least in striking distance for a day trip. I would love to see the balloons. Thanks for your comments. xoA
ReplyDelete