Flagstaff, Arizona

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Nicki

Flagstaff is located just south of San Francisco Peak, Arizona’s highest mountain range. It is on the west side of the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the US, and was named after a Ponderosa flagpole made to celebrate the US Centennial on July 4, 1876.

Flagstaff, Arizona Photo by Andrew Leggett

We did not get to see it this time, but nearby is the Petrified Forest National Park. Two hundred million years ago, volcanic lava destroyed the forest, and the remains were embedded into sediment comprised of volcanic ash and water…. million of years later, erosion revealed the petrified wood now made mostly of quartz.

Back Garden of Little America Photo by Andrew Leggett

Our host…a squirrel …that looked like a rabbit/squirrel combo just outside of our balcony at Little America Resort, another great choice ..surrounded by 500 acres of Panderosa Pine forest…it is formally known for having billboards that stated Almost Home with penguins waddling on it. The number of penguins represented the distance to travel before reaching the hotel. It was below freezing when we arrived, and I wondered how the furry creature was faring…zooming in close he appeared a plump little fellow with a lovely thick coat, and after watching him dart around with fast paws that quickly grab any munchies nearby….my guess was that he was doing alright for himself.

Little America’s Back Garden Photo by Nicki Hurd

Hopped on our bicycles and explored the Ponderosas behind the lodge.

Little America Photo by Nicki Hurd

As we were checking in, a flustered man approached the reception to request another room…seems he opened the door to his room, and found someone in there already – and she was surprised to see him. :- O

View from our room at Little America Photo by Andrew Leggett

In the evening we stayed in and kept warm at Western Gold, the resort restaurant, just a short jaunt down the corridor.

Glass Sculpture above the bar at the Western Gold Restaurant Photo by Nicki Hurd

There is a lovely glass sculpture suspended over the bar at Western Gold.

Steam Train in Old Town, Flagstaff Azizona Photo by Andrew Leggett

In the early days, the economy of Flagstaff was based on lumber, railroad, and ranching.

Karma Sushi, Flagstaff Photo by Nicki Hurd

Just in time for Happy Hour sushi at Karma Sushi in Old Town…the food was beautiful, delicious, and reasonably priced. Staff were friendly but not intrusive.

Karma Sushi Flagstaff Photo by Nicki Hurd

Lowell Observatory was closing when we arrived and we were not able to attend a tour.

Lowell Observatory Flagstaff Arizona Photo by Nicki Hurd

The astronomer Percival Lowell from Massachusetts hired Andrew Ellicott Douglass, also an astronomer from Windsor Vermont, to scout a location for an observatory.

Lowell Observatory Flagstaff Arizona Photo by Andrew Leggett

It was 1894 when he picked Flagstaff because of the elevation, and in 1930 Pluto was discovered using one of the telescopes.

Lowell Observatory Flagstaff Arizona Photo by Andrew Leggett

Sign at the gate has the symbols of the original nine planets…including Pluto….which is no longer considered a planet.

Pluto

Neptune

Uranus

Saturn

Jupiter

Mars

Earth

Venus

Mercury

January 2011

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Nicki

From above.. the city, sky, and mountains.

Albuquerque, New Mexico Photo by Nicki Hurd

Buildings seem to blend like chameleons and were absorbed into their surroundings.

View from Sandia Mountains Photo by Andrew Leggett

To observe the “Land of Enchantment” from a vantage point, we soared up on the Sandia Tramway. The tram creator was Robert J. Nordhous an attorney that understood the unique nature of New Mexico. He was in WWll and was an original member of the famous 10th Mountain Division ski-patrol unit. The experience was an inspiration for him. He was a founder member of Albuquerque’s United Way, held many civic posts, and made his law firm one of the nation’s most prominent advocates of Indian law. In 1984, his firm won a landmark water case for the Jicarilla Apaches.

Sandia Tram Photo by Nicki Hurd

Ascending nearly 3 miles, the tram is an engineering feet. Stringing all of the cables up the mountain took five months. Engineers were engaged from the Bell Engineering company in Lucerne Switzerland. They had built more than 50 tramways throughout the world and admitted that the Sandia Peak project was their most challenging. Helicopters were used to lift materials for the construction of the tower, which took 2 years.

Sandia Tramway Photo by Andrew Leggett

Wildlife is scattered amongst the forest of aspens, hardy pines, scrub oak, fir and spruce… including… Black bears…I kept my eyes open with hope of spotting one. After traveling through several climate zones, we landed at 10,378′ in elevation…

Sandia Peak

It was brisk at the summit, and we were not able to last long enough outside to get pictures from all directions, but there is a lot to see around the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city. To the northwest is Redondo Peak in the Jemez Mountains, rising from a caldera, the Valle Grande, a volcanic crater, reported as the largest in the world. There are a lot of geological features to see; a volcanic field, with volcanic plugs and necks, and Mount Taylor, which is 100 miles away. Gazing east is the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and capital city of New Mexico, Santa Fe, and south is Estancia Valley with the Manzano Mountains on the horizon.

Sandia Peak Photo by Andrew Leggett

Relaxing with a meal and drinks at High Finance the restaurant at the top gave us a chance to stay warm and absorb the views of over 11,000 square miles. There were a group of young folks swing dancing outside on a platform, during our appetizers…as if they were there to perform for us, as our table was centered perfectly to view. We assumed it was their choice of activity to stay warm, and rehearsal for a night out later. Others meandered by our window, but no one lasted long out there, as lips quickly turned blue.

High Finance Tavern Photo by Andrew Leggett

After we heading to our accommodations at Casas de Suenos, an Inn in Old Town.

Casas de Suenos Photo by Nicki Hurd

A creative B&B

Casas de Suenos Photo by Nicki Hurd

Old Town’s eateries and shops were closing early on Sunday evening when we strolled out for dinner. We passed through Old Town and had Mexican food at a restaurant just at the edge, then returned to our Casa and soaked in the hot-tub by the fire. January, 2011

Casas de Suenos: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Nicki

Bohemian B&B with a Garden of Art

Casas de Suenos Photo by Nicki Hurd

Manzano Casa with the hot tub was ours for the night.

Manzano Casa Photo by Andrew Leggett

Delighted to have been upgraded for the same price by reception when we arrived.

Manzano Casa

The Casa was warm and the fireplace made it cosy.

Breakfast Room Casas de Suenos Photo by Andrew Leggett

Breakfast was served in a lovely room and was included , so I would say we got a great deal. The server was from the Chihuahua Mountains and had a lovely accent.

It was recommended to us by a friend that stayed here with her family. She noted it was older and not updated and would not be for everyone, but unique and interesting.

Garden Casas de Suenos Photo by Andrew Leggett

I heard that it was an artists commune at one time. It has a charming courtyard with a gazebo and lots of artistic nooks around the grounds. It was January, and I enjoyed the winter look ,but imagined that it must look gorgeous when it is in full bloom. I envisioned art classes in the courtyard, painters in various spots around the garden, a pottery kiln in a studio, and someone reading poetry in the evenings, as they all gathered around.

Manzano Casa Casas de Suenos Photo by Nicki Hurd

Staff took care of building and lighting the fire, as well as preheating the hot tub before we arrived. The hot tub was huge. It looked like one that is meant to live outside, but added to the unconventional feel of the place.

Manzano Casa Casa de Suenos

The heat made a bit of noise during the night but the grounds were quiet and tucked away from city noises and traffic.

Breakfast Room Casa de Suenos

Our visit ended perfectly by getting my partner arrested, for being cheeky by some locals stopping by to check out the place. ;- ) January, 2011

Hike and Bike Trail: Telluride, Colorado

Posted on November 3, 2012 by Nicki