Diary for Harry and Judy's RV Trip


Day 59-August 3, 2013-Albuquerque, NM

2013-08-03

Day 59-August 3, 2013-Albuquerque
Hot, sunny, 90.
We were busy all day today doing different things. Started out at the campground office showing the manager pictures we had taken in Canon City of the vintage RVs at that campground. The same man who restored those restored the ones here.
ABQ is a big city spread out over lots of miles and I felt like we were going back and forth all day from one end of town to the other, through lots of traffic, Saturday and everybody’s out doing errands. First we went to Camping World to get some supplies for the RV. We both needed haircuts and were told about a place where we both got nice haircuts. Then we needed to get some supplies so we did some shopping. Had to find a Sam’s Club to return a book on tape that wouldn’t play in the car. Every store you can imagine is in ABQ, all little strip malls here and there, the usual stores in Anytown, USA plus a few local ones thrown in. Finally found a car wash big enough for the truck.
We brought lunch and ate it in the lot at Gruet Winery where we sampled some of their wines, but they had mostly sparkling wines, not our favorite. Few more errands in between, bought some new books, and then we went to Casa Rodena, a winery we had been to last year. We did a tasting there, but their wines were a bit pricey. Saw a gas station that had relatively inexpensive fuel (3.65 vs. 3.99-real cheap, right?) and filled up. We knew we liked the wines at St. Clair which has a tasting room and a bistro right on the edge of Old Town so we went there last.
By now it was almost 7 so we went to Old Town for dinner at La Hacienda, a restaurant right in the middle of the town plaza. A bit spicy but good food. Old Town is really nice. It has both a Mexican and Native American flavor. The center of town is the Plaza, with a gazebo in a park. On one side is St. Felipe de Neri Church, a beautiful sandstone building which has been there since 1706. All around the other sides are restaurants, shops, mostly owned by Native Americans, an open-air market under a patio where locals sell their hand made jewelry, basket shops, B&Bs, cafes and galleries. Pedicabs will take you around town if you want. A block over is another nice area with a fountain, sculptures and more shops, etc. By the time we were finished eating it was getting dark and the gazebo was lit, kids playing in and around it, the cicadas were clicking away in the trees in the park, the ghost tours were starting, the dog walkers were out, people were out for a stroll or to get an ice cream cone. It was a really nice night, a nice breeze but still warm. There’s a lot more we didn’t see around Old Town, a Rattlesnake Museum, Natural History Museum, Botanical Gardens, Aquarium, more gardens and sculptures.
Another side of ABQ is the financial area, tall buildings and lots of businesses, mostly banking, which was really quiet on Saturday night.
The people here seem to be proud of their city. The overpasses are decorated very nicely, some were even lit at night. We feel comfortable and safe here, even though it’s a big city and there are some neighborhoods that are kind of run down.