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