Cochiti Lake, NM

We left Albuquerque and headed about 60 miles up Interstate 25 to an Army Core of Engineers campground at Cochiti Lake.

Cochiti Lake

For only $10.00 a night it had 50 amp electricity and water but no sewer, but an incredible view of the lake! We were very careful with our water and sewer and we were able to last 5 nights. we were in site # 63. We would really like to come back to this GREAT campground!

Campsite #63

Tuesday we drove to the Tent Rocks National Monument. Tent Rocks is only about 6 miles from Cochiti lake.

Tent Rocks National Monument

There are two hikes at Tent Rocks. The easy one is the Cave Loop Trail and runs right through the Tent Rocks. The harder Canyon Trail runs through a slot canyon and eventually makes you do some rock climbing to get to an overview. The best part of the Canyon Trail though is through the slot canyon.

Two Trails

The Canyon Trail is in and out. When you are about half a mile from being out you can take a right turn and complete the Cave loop.

Canyon Trail

We started on the Canyon Loop. We passed the intersection of the Cave loop and continued towards the slot canyon.

Start of the slot canyon

Several places in the canyon the canyon narrows to where only one person at a time can pass.There are even some places that you have to 'tightrope' walk, one foot in front of another.

Slot Canyon Narrows

The trail started getting tougher with rocks and boulders, but the canyon is really beautiful with its smooth and flowing walls.

rough trail

Not only did you have to climb over rocks, but there were boulders that you had to go under. This is really a neat trail!

Big Boulders

We made it out of the slot canyon and continued up the trail.

Out of the canyon

We just had climbed a very tough area that was about a 20 foot rock climb. At this point we had seen the best of the Canyon Trail hike. As we looked up the hill it was single track and most people were getting on all fours in many spots. We decided we had completed our trail segment!

Trail really got rough

It is reported that after visiting Tent Rocks Dr. Seuss was inspired to model Whoville after it. It doesn't take much imagination to see it!

Whoville?

If ever you are in the Santa Fe or even Albuquerque area you MUST hike the Tent Rocks area. It is an amazing hike!

Tent Rocks Selfie

We headed back down the Canyon Trail and the Slot Canyon was just as wonderful in reverse! When we got to the Cave Trail intersection we opted to take the Cave Trail back to the parking area. Here is the Cave.

Cave

What we were not aware of is that the Cave Trail winds back down a ridge and through a different set of Tent Rocks! You can see them in the distance.

Tents

The trail goes right between the Tent Rocks.

Trail through the Tents

Because we did not hike to the overlook we found one we could drive to. Quite a view!

Tent Rocks Overlook

Well that's it for today! It was almost 90 degrees out so we are tired! Tomorrow we will go to Santa Fe.

God Bless you,

God is SO GOOD!

Brian and Patty

Albuquerque, New Mexico

It has been awhile since I have posted on the blog because we have not had WiFi available to us. I will update the whole week we were in Albuquerque on this one post. We were in ABQ from Monday June 19th through Monday June 26h which was Memorial Day. We stayed at the Enchanted Trails RV Park because it is a Passport America park.

Monday evening we got together with our good friends George and Anna. They are from Ventura but relocated to Albuquerque. We decided to go to the Route 66 Casino for their buffet. It was actually very good and of course like normal we did not know when to stop!

Using the casino's money again we found a slot machine that was real fun. We were the loudest and most obnoxious people in the whole casino, won about $50.00 or $60.00 and had a blast!

George, Anna, Patty and Brian

I read the the racing Unser family was from Albuquerque. They have a racing museum here dedicated to the whole Unser family.

Unser Racing Museum

They have the cars the Unser's have raced Indy in, NASCAR, flat track, even Pikes Peak. They also have the Indianapolis 500 trophies they have won here.

Unser Race Cars

In addition to the race cars at the museum, Al Unser also has a high quality collection of motorcycles and cars that include Harley's, Indian's, Packard's, Sterling Trucks and Pace Cars.

Auto Collection

Last year while we were in ABQ we tried to find the Gilman Tunnels. They are are tunnels that were cut into the mountain on an old logging road. The  day we were looking for them we were on the end of a GIANT loop we drove through Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Jemez Springs.

This is the road to the Gilman Tunnels. Notice the waterfall next to the road?

Road to Gilman Tunnels

Here comes comes the Huntram through the tunnel! Watch out!

Huntram a-coming!

There are actually two tunnels. The road proceeds another half mile and then turns into a dirt road. A road worker said it is dirt for about 17 miles and then comes out on the NM 4. We decided to turn around.

Second Tunnel

We became fans of the AMC Breaking Bad in it's final season. AMC ran marathons of it's first 5 seasons which we recorded and watched while on the road. Breaking Bad was made in Albuquerque. We drove by the Car Wash Walt (Bryan Cranston) and Skye bought. It is actually a local chain called 'Octopus Wash', The Los Pollos Hermanos Chicken is actually a local chain called 'Twisters', but the one place we did have to go is Walter White's house. Here Patty and I are standing in front of the actual house used on the TV show!

Breaking Bad in front of Walt's house!

Green Roasted Chili's!

New Mexico is famous for their green roasted chili's. Everything has them on it. You can't go anywhere that doesn't brag that they have New Mexico's BEST Green Chili Burger. We've tried a lot of places the three times we've been in New Mexico! 

But we have found the best! Where? At a gas station's mini mart! That's ridiculous! I know, that's what I thought! The 66 Pit Stop gas station and mini mart. They also have a small grill that sells the 'Laguna Burger' Everything I read about it said THIS is the place.

66 Pit Stop

So for ONLY $3.99 you get a hand formed never frozen 1/2 pound beef patty. Actually they take a bunch of ground beef and roll it into a ball and weigh it. They then throw it on the grill and flatten it.

They then have fresh roasted green chili's that they dice and also grill. While the meat is grilling they put these chili's on the meat and continue to cook. They also butter the buns and toast them on the grill.

For $6.29 you can also have fresh cut fries and a soda. It is weird getting the best burger we have ever had in a mini-mart!

Here is what it looks like!

Laguna Burger Combo

We went to Old Town Albuquerque. This is the town square.

Town Square

Like old towns, this was founded around the church. Here is the San Felipe Church.

San Felipe Parish

Although the San Felipe Parish is a tourist atraction, it is still an active church. They continue to hold mass every Sunday.

San Felipe Parish

Albuquerque is probably know most for it's hot air balloon festival. Although it is not the time for it, they do have a balloon museum that we decided to go to. Patty was raring to go soaring!

Up, up and away!!!!

The museum had a lot of information about the history of ballooning and even had the Double Eagle II which is the first balloon to cross the Atlantic.

Museum

Well that sums up our time in Albuquerque. We really enjoyed ourselves but now its time to head to Cochitti Lake!

Love you all and God Bless you!

Brian and Patty