2017 10 30 Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Monday, October 30, 2017 - Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Halfway between Albuquerque and Alamogordo. We took the Auto Tour so we could keep the dogs with us. We had to detach the RV in the parking lot and, if I may say so myself, we are getting pretty good at it. 

We heard about this National Refuge from Eliza and Donald at dinner on Saturday. We were shocked to find out that 80 percent of the Sandhill Crane population uses this area for migration.  We are here just at the beginning of the migration season so we only saw a few hundred. The refuge has not been flooded in most of the areas but it was a sight in the few areas were they were congregated. 

Ruddy Duck - this is the only one we saw though apparently they are very common. This is a male in winter plumage. 

Mountains in the background.

The lone American White Pelican. It seems odd to find a pelican in the middle of desert refuge. 

Along the auto tour there are several overlooks but also some very nice walkways over the flooded areas so we could get even closer to the waterfowl. 

We saw several of these hawks. We think they are Northern Harriers, probably juveniles. They were swooping low over the flooded areas and occasionally diving toward the smaller birds. Not sure they were really trying to catch anything, maybe just practicing.  

Besides the Harriers, the Park staff said they also saw either a juvenile Bald Eagle or a hawk but we did not find it in the area. 

A Great Blue Heron on the hunt. This one was very close to the walkway above. 

Spots something moving in the reeds. 

And BAM! Captures his prey. A dragonfly. We were so surprised as we had assumed he would be hunting for fish. We had heard several splashing around as we walked along the boardwalk. 

In the mud at the edge of the reeds we saw several tracks. There appeared to be some raccoon tracks but the most interesting ones were considerably bigger. There are plenty of posting about this being Mountain Lion territory. But the staff also said someone had recently seen a bobcat drinking from one of the ponds.  

Sharp eyed Bob saw this Collared Peccary - Javelina wandering one of the service roads. 

This was truly a sight. The cranes are arriving for feeding before going to roost for the night. Their distinctive calls and slow descent as they circle a landing area is very memorable.  

We have seen plenty of White Tail Deer in Ohio but these were mislabeled by the Visitor's Center staff. Since they seemed larger and are grey instead of brown we checked further and discovered they are actually Mule Deer. When we saw this one and a second one nearby, they froze like...yep...deer in the headlights. Since we were only halfway to Alamogordo once we left the Refuge, we couldn't stay later to see the grazing deer and elk that are suppose to be there. 

One of the flooding canals.

Landing Cranes.

Harrier against the New Mexico skies.

So it's true that a diesel engine is not very efficient while crawling along looking at scenery. We assumed by our readings that we had enough fuel to make Alamogordo but once we hooked up the RV and hit the highway it seemed we had taken a lot longer than the scheduled two hours. It was a little scary thinking about running out of fuel out where there are miles of roads with nothing but sand, scrub and sky. And no cell phone service. We finally found fuel in a one stop-light town of Carrizozo. The gas station was obviously not designed for a 63 foot rig of RV and truck. Bob had a very tight squeeze to get positioned near the pumps. The winds were whipping through town and rocking the RV. It was a relief to know we could get to a campground. The only drawback was the setting sun and clouds rolling in. We were afraid we would be rained on. We had to call on short notice to the Boot Hill RV Park since the original park did not call us back. Getting the last slot and rolling in after dark we set up by the light of the passing vehicles and cell phone. The prince I married took care of everything outside while I settled the inside with the dogs. What a guy!!!  

A cloudy morning. We pulled into the Boot Hill RV Park after dark last night. 

Boot Hill RV on the left and to the right across the road is McGinn's Pistachio Tree Ranch...

...with the worlds largest Pistachio. We could not figure out what we were seeing while driving from Albuquerque and saw rows of trees. Turns out to be pistachio trees and vineyards. Who knew there was enough water in this desert area for that kind of farming. 

2017 10 29 Sandia Peak Tramway

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Forgot to add a couple photos we took on our way home from Old Town. This is a scene of folks on a western trail and the indigenous people they met upon settling in this area. 

We were just turning onto the highway when we saw this one. So we really don't know what it is but it was bright and shiny. 

Our choices today were the Petroglyphs or the Tramway to the peak overlooking Albuquerque. When we spoken with Eliza and Donald last night they both recommended the Tramway as the most unique experience. 

As a part of the Cibola National Forest the Tramway is the access point for the snow trails on the east side of the mountains. The tramway takes 15 minutes to reach the top at 10,381 feet. 

As you can see behind me, the landing area for the Tramway is not the highest peak in the Sandia Mountain range. And while it may have been 47 degrees at the top, it was also windy so coat, gloves and scarf were a good idea. And keep hands on your hats just in case a sudden gust lifts it and gone.  

The little stone "cabin" is about a mile and a half away from the Tramway. It stands at over 13,000 feet and was built for the workers who were building the Tramway. 

As usual, I take the lead when we are hiking. We have found that Bob walks too fast if he leads and I choose paths which are the easiest for my bad knees to traverse. 

We took a break along the rim just below the final tower. 

After about an hour of walking along the rim, we decided to try the hike to the workers' cabin.

So many really nice views...peaceful, sunny Albuquerque. 

The tram carried about 30 people. 

We did see a couple ravens and one hawk on our way up. 

The stones of the cabin are not well laid on the outside which allows hikers to climb to the roof (even though the sign clearly says not to do that).

A little blurry but Bob thinks this says O-H-I-O. Buckeyes are everywhere. 

Without a door or glass in the windows, the cabin sure does not look very inviting today. I'm sure we learned a long time ago that stone is not a good insulation for warm evening after a hard days work. 

Medallion says Civilian Conservation Corps 1936.

I can guarantee that this tiny fireplace is not going to heat this space to any level of comfort. 

Opposite the fireplace is this little alcove space which says "Visitor Registration". So my question is who is visiting during the construction of the Tramway and why would anyone want to have the registration of visitors up one the summit at over 13,000 feet instead of at the bottom.

Lunch site in the warming sunshine. 

Lunch guest. His tail is longer than all the rest of him and his body is only about 4 inches long. 

Time to get back down to the tram. 

Our ride is here. 

2017 10 28 Old Town Albuquerque and a nice dinner.

Friday, October 27, 2017

Met Marilyn and Jerry Cap for dinner on Friday after driving to Albuquerque from Santa Fe. Caught up with them and enjoyed the first really good pizza since we left Dublin, Ohio. Don't know why we didn't think to get a photo of all of us while we were waiting for our table at Pizzeria Luca. We will do better next time.

Saturday, October 28, 2017 Bob and I went to Old Town which was founded in 1706.

This building is in chiles hanging from the eaves. We still don't have any but they will even make a wreath out of them for Christmas. 

The Church in the middle with the Convent on the left and the rectory on the right.  

The amount of silver and turquoise jewelry was overwhelming but I did get Bob a bolo tie. I managed to restrain myself by repeating "I have enough turquoise jewelry." But really? Can one ever have enough?

San Felipe de Neri Church. Still active and, in fact, a wedding was just letting out when we walked over to it. 

Much simpler than the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe. But still beautiful in its simplicity. 

After purchasing a new wool rug woven by the Zapotec Indians of Mexico, who live in a tiny city between Guatemala and Mexico City.  

Met Eliza (Norm Linde's daughter), husband Donald and his daughter, Emma for dinner at Flying Star. Interesting name and concept. Menu items are made fresh and are very eclectic. From breakfast Huevos Rancheros to burgers and mac and cheese with broccoli. They also have freshly made pies, extra large cookies (triple ginger), breakfast sweet breads and cakes.

Bob, Emma, Eliza and Donald.