Pics: Honeymoon hiking in New Mexico!

[portia]

Ah, yes, that makes sense now. Skimmed the thread too fast! Didn''t think that photo looked like NM, but thought perhaps maybe the San Juans.

Wow... Iceland is beautiful!! My father has flown his twin-engine plane to Europe several times and he always stops in Reykjavik. I so wish I could''ve gone one of those times!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Wow, IG - looks like you had a wonderful time!

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 6/13/2008 9:45:06 AM
Author: Independent Gal
Hi Skippers! We spent the last day in ABQ, looking at the petroglyphs and Old Town and stuff. It was CRAZY hot and very windy. But at least it was a dry heat. We didn't go any further south than that. We're both used to desert heat, and after a week of INSANE humid heat traveling in Cambodia once (I sweat so much that my muscles went into salt-shock!), I always just tell myself 'Well, I can handle this! At least it isn't as bad as that week in Cambodia!'

FREKE: I didn't realize it was record breaking heat! I think the extra altitude helped a little too. It was crazy that it was even that hot (about 90) when we were at 8000-9000 ft though.

We had some very yummy sopapillas and we ate LOTS of chile in both colors.

And BOY did we watch the stars! We saw a total of 4 shooting stars too which is always nice. New Mexico puts the mmm back in Mmmmeteor!

I'm glad you guys had a good time! I was thinking about how hot it was on my dad's birthday and then my thought was "Oh isn't IndyGal supposed to be here soon, if not now? I hope she brought some shorts!" Seriously-it was darn hot. And dry. And windy. Yuck! I'm not sure what days were record breaking-but I couldn't believe how hot it was, when you were asking in late may we had that weird cold system move through and the temp was in the 60s-so I was in shock that it went from that to high 80s and up! And then stayed that way!

Lol at the Cambodia thing- humidity is so much worse IMHO. I'll take dry heat (with no wind) any day before I do humidity.

So if I asked you "Red or Green?" Which would you pick?

ETA: MonkeyPie! Do you live in Bernalillo? or elsewhere?

 

[bebe]

Hey, question for all your NM residents...

When does it cool down in the fall? I want to drive up and
enjoy the outdoors. I know there is "Aspencade" or is that actually in Aspen, CO?
I''ve done Taos, but wouldn''t mind staying in the area again.

 

[FrekeChild]

Usually (except for last year) it cools down in mid-late September- we''re talking anywhere from low 80s to low 70s. October can be pretty unpredictable-it can either be as hot as summer, or we can have snow-but it''s the month where weather really changes IMO. I say for that, mid-late September-mid October would probably be the best. It is SO my favorite time of year.

I don''t know about the aspens though!

 

[Independent Gal]

Freke when I was asked about red or green, I kept asking for both on the side so I could taste ''em all in their many varieties. But if push comes to shove, I think I''d go green.

We had some awesome salsa too. Made with cilantro, apparently. Very tasty. Numnumnum!

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 6/13/2008 4:41:49 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Freke when I was asked about red or green, I kept asking for both on the side so I could taste ''em all in their many varieties. But if push comes to shove, I think I''d go green.

We had some awesome salsa too. Made with cilantro, apparently. Very tasty. Numnumnum!

That is the best way to do it. Plus, then you can figure out what suits your heat preferences the best. Yay! Oh I''m so glad you guys had a good time!

After this thread I need to go find myself some New Mexican food...

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 6/13/2008 3:17:38 PM
Author: FrekeChild
Lol at the Cambodia thing- humidity is so much worse IMHO. I''ll take dry heat (with no wind) any day before I do humidity.


So if I asked you ''Red or Green?'' Which would you pick?


ETA: MonkeyPie! Do you live in Bernalillo? or elsewhere?

Yeah, that''s where I am right now Where are you at?

I agree with the dry heat sentiment - I once went to Salina, Kansas in July and I just wanted to die. It was so unbearably humid that I never felt clean, just sticky all the time. It was awful.

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 6/13/2008 9:55:23 PM
Author: MonkeyPie

Date: 6/13/2008 3:17:38 PM
Author: FrekeChild
Lol at the Cambodia thing- humidity is so much worse IMHO. I''ll take dry heat (with no wind) any day before I do humidity.

So if I asked you ''Red or Green?'' Which would you pick?

ETA: MonkeyPie! Do you live in Bernalillo? or elsewhere?

Yeah, that''s where I am right now Where are you at?

I agree with the dry heat sentiment - I once went to Salina, Kansas in July and I just wanted to die. It was so unbearably humid that I never felt clean, just sticky all the time. It was awful.

I''m in Alb. Forever more. Well at least for 2 more years. I was going to try to work at Prairie Star a few years ago, but decided against it because of the drive. How do you like it? (And I so agree, there just aren''t any computer savvy peeps in NM who are into jewels I guess. I think Belle and IndieJones are N. Mexicans but I''m not positive.

I had to go to tennis camp in South Bend Indiana in July. They had a record high and record humidity one day. They took a pic of a soft-serve ice cream cone and posted the pics on the front page of the newspaper-once right after it was served, once 1 minute later, and again after 5 minutes-at the 5 minute one-it was 80% melted. Someone had stood outside and held it in the sun. I think it was 95 degrees and 90% humidity or something. I wanted to die, and almost passed out from heat stroke. Ugh.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Oh good God :/ That makes me feel ill just thinking about the amount of humidity. I am pretty sensitive to the sun - I burn easy, and it makes me really, really tired - so I don''t think I could ever live anywhere else. Not to mention that the allergens here seem so much easier to deal with since it''s so dry. All we get is cotton, and tons of it!

Bernalillo is pretty nice, I live on the opposite side from Cracktown, heh. We live close enough to the river that it is very green, and on a pretty quiet bit of road. I used to live off Paseo, and we are keeping an eye out for a new place right now (living with the ''rents is never a long-term good idea), but I am hoping to find something in Bernalillo. I love it here.

 

[FrekeChild]

Awesome. How often do you wander down south?

 

[monarch64]

Beautiful pics, IndyGal!

 

[MonkeyPie]

We have totally hijacked

I work near the airport so I am there every day except weekends. It''s kind of a long drive, but it''s a straight shot on the freeway so it isn''t too bad. My husband just started working with me too so we carpool - yay for saving gas!

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 6/13/2008 11:12:22 PM
Author: MonkeyPie
We have totally hijacked

I work near the airport so I am there every day except weekends. It''s kind of a long drive, but it''s a straight shot on the freeway so it isn''t too bad. My husband just started working with me too so we carpool - yay for saving gas!

I know I know. Sorry IndyGal!

Yeah yay for saving gas. Driving on the freeway makes me happy unless there is traffic. That''s a lot of driving you guys do.

So, where do you shop for your sparklies?

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 6/13/2008 11:27:36 PM
Author: FrekeChild

Date: 6/13/2008 11:12:22 PM

Author: MonkeyPie

We have totally hijacked

I work near the airport so I am there every day except weekends. It''s kind of a long drive, but it''s a straight shot on the freeway so it isn''t too bad. My husband just started working with me too so we carpool - yay for saving gas!

I know I know. Sorry IndyGal!


Yeah yay for saving gas. Driving on the freeway makes me happy unless there is traffic. That''s a lot of driving you guys do.


So, where do you shop for your sparklies?

I got my e-ring at Jared''s (minus the center stone, that was handed down), and my wedding band at Zales. Yeah yeah, I shopped at all the worst places - but that was before I discovered PS, not to mention I just cannot afford the crazy ideal diamonds most of the lucky ladies here sport. Someday!

One of my favorite places to just browse for unique sparklies is Etsy though. There are even some local artists in there, which I love, because some of my favorite pieces are in the plaza at Santa Fe. I always dreamed of an e-ring with opal in the setting until I found out how soft it was, and Santa Fe has amazing opal stuff.

I think I remember seeing you didn''t have a ring yet, or was that someone else? I''m tired lol

 

[Independent Gal]

Hey Monkeypie! Did you know it''s easier to burn at higher altitudes? We were using SPF70 Neutrogena helioplex sunblock, and I didn''t get so much as a TAN! That stuff is awesome. And it smells nice too. Often, I wear long sleeves and pants when I''m outside a lot in very hot sun. I have some high tech hiking gear that lets the breeze - but not the sun, pass through. Very comfy. Very safe. Just say no to skin cancer!

Also, we were having to drink about 3 liters of water a day to stay hydrated. If you''re getting headaches, it might be because you aren''t drinking enough water?

But look at me.

Lecturing you about sun safety in your own state!

No worries about the threadjack anyway, I like hearing you guys talk about your home!

 

[zoebartlett]

I''ve never been to NM but the pics look beautiful. It''s amazing to me how this country''s lanndscape is so varied. The northeast is completely different.

 

[FrekeChild]

No kidding Zoe! I remember moving from NM to NY (state) for school and everyone kept talking about the "mountains". They aren''t mountains! They''re hills covered in green stuff! Now granted, we''re at the tail end of the Rocky Mountains, but still...I''ll add a pic from a year and a half ago when we got a foot of snow in the city (totally unheard of-hadn''t happened since the 40s or something?) and this pic was taken about 3 days after the fact-when we could get our car out. And here''s a link to the wiki for our mountains.

MonkeyPie-I don''t have a ering-I''ll have to wait for...another year or so. I think I''ll get it when BF finishes his comprehensive exams. Regardless, I don''t want a diamond (the horror!) so it doesn''t really matter as much where I go. If I wanted a diamond, I''d go online though. Because I want a gemstone, BF will have to go online-unless he totally bums out and just goes to the jewelry store. Ha! Anyway. I''ve warned him against the evils of Jared (went in there and they treated me like poo), and the maul stores. He''s been informed to go to either Butterfields or J. Edwards-and preferably JE because I went in there once and the guy spent about an hour talking to me about jewelry and showing me stuff.

I won''t go to Shelton jewelers. I went over there the same day I went to Jared/Butterfields/JE and was wanting to know how much it would cost to set my "silver" topaz. A basic Stuller setting and she quoted me-$400 FOR THE SETTING ALONE. And she wouldn''t let me see the price in the book. And 100 to set it! Meanwhile, as I''m thinking "Yay for PS and me not falling for that pile o'' shiz!" I decided to go to JE. Where he showed me the Stuller book (price and all!) told me that those prices have gone up-only because of the price of gold, and that it would cost about a total of $200 dollars. So guess who I''m going to when I get all of my random gemstones set and telling BF to go to for the ering?

Plus, JE is right next to Cake Fetish. Can''t beat that! Do you have any pics of your wedding set up anywhere?

 

[Independent Gal]

But the Sandia mountains are not technically part of the Rockies. They''re a fault block of their own, made mostly from Precambrian granite.

Sorry, geology-nerd snuck out there.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 6/14/2008 9:12:52 AM
Author: Independent Gal
Hey Monkeypie! Did you know it''s easier to burn at higher altitudes? We were using SPF70 Neutrogena helioplex sunblock, and I didn''t get so much as a TAN! That stuff is awesome. And it smells nice too. Often, I wear long sleeves and pants when I''m outside a lot in very hot sun. I have some high tech hiking gear that lets the breeze - but not the sun, pass through. Very comfy. Very safe. Just say no to skin cancer!


Also, we were having to drink about 3 liters of water a day to stay hydrated. If you''re getting headaches, it might be because you aren''t drinking enough water?


But look at me.

Lecturing you about sun safety in your own state!

No worries about the threadjack anyway, I like hearing you guys talk about your home!

Independent Gal, I hadn''t thought about burning at higher altitudes - wehn I was a kid I used to tan SO easily, but now it''s harder. My legs are perpetually white so I use fake tan stuff on them when I can be bothered. Usually I embrace my hispanic whiteness

And I am pretty sure I don''t get enough water...I try to do the 8 glasses a day thing but it''s hard when you''re at work/busy. Plus I have a Dr Pepper addiction, eek.

Freke, I have never had anything but good experiences at Jared, and it''s funny, because so many people have told me they were treated like crap there. They actually remember me when I come in every six months for a replating and to check my diamonds, and they have done everything I requested when I originally bought them. Maybe I just got lucky.

Before I bought this ring, though, Whitehall tried to sell me a set with a honkin'' diamond in the middle that had what looked like a crack straight through the middle, feathering everywhere. It was horrid. Samuel''s and JE are the only other places I prefer to go to, but I have accounts at Jared and Zales so I buy stuff there for gifts

Since you prefer a gemstone, have you looked in Santa Fe at all?

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 6/14/2008 2:44:55 PM
Author: Independent Gal
But the Sandia mountains are not technically part of the Rockies. They're a fault block of their own, made mostly from Precambrian granite.

Sorry, geology-nerd snuck out there.

Wow, thank you for the info; Geology nerds rock!!! Glad you and your hubby had a fab time!

 

[Independent Gal]

Haha. Geology nerds... rock. Heehee! Good one Skippy.

I think New Mexico is up there with Iceland as the most geologically interesting places I''ve ever been. I was all ''WOWEEWOW!'' just about every five minutes. Neat-o state you got there. And beautiful to boot.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 6/14/2008 8:05:10 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Haha. Geology nerds... rock. Heehee! Good one Skippy.

I think New Mexico is up there with Iceland as the most geologically interesting places I''ve ever been. I was all ''WOWEEWOW!'' just about every five minutes. Neat-o state you got there. And beautiful to boot.

Lol isn''t it funny that if you live in a place, you stop noticing how cool it looks to outsiders? Every once in awhile I will see something here that makes me go, "Omg cool!" but I am so used to seeing this desert every day I don''t always notice it. It''s nice to appreciate it again through someone else.

 

[FrekeChild]

MonkeyPie-I have not gone to Santa Fe. To be honest, I try to stay away as much as possible. Lol. I don''t have any good reasons for it either except for I always get lost.

Hey IndyGal! Learn something new everyday. Does it make you shudder to know that I went for 3 summers teaching/playing tennis 5 days a week for at least 5 hours a day with NO sunscreen AT ALL?

Because, let me tell you, it gives me the heebie jeebies.

I agree with MonkeyPie about seeing it through someone else''s eyes though. The only times I really take notice of NM and it''s scenery, without being around someone who is seeing it for the first time, is a)during a fantastic sunset b)when the sunset hits the Sandias just right c) during the Balloon Fiesta and d) when there is snow.

Hmmm...

 

[MonkeyPie]

Oh I always get lost in Santa Fe, too. I stick to the main roads and the plaza, which has enough signs that I can get where I need to go fairly easy. Do not go into residential though! Omg, the roads are like a pile of spaghetti - they have absolutely NO straight lanes anywhere. It''s so weird. If I have to go somewhere, I call my friend Brie that used to live there lol.

And eek. I remember as a kid that every summer, I would get burnt to a CRISP at least once. I went to Alamogordo and my back was burned so bad, it started bubbling up in about an hours time. Huge blisters that burst at the slightest touch, then would come back. It was awful, and I was glad I couldn''t see it. My grandma would put lotion on it and the skin would come off in ribbons. I am so disgusted thinking about it now.

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 6/14/2008 11:51:57 PM
Author: MonkeyPie
Oh I always get lost in Santa Fe, too. I stick to the main roads and the plaza, which has enough signs that I can get where I need to go fairly easy. Do not go into residential though! Omg, the roads are like a pile of spaghetti - they have absolutely NO straight lanes anywhere. It's so weird. If I have to go somewhere, I call my friend Brie that used to live there lol.

And eek. I remember as a kid that every summer, I would get burnt to a CRISP at least once. I went to Alamogordo and my back was burned so bad, it started bubbling up in about an hours time. Huge blisters that burst at the slightest touch, then would come back. It was awful, and I was glad I couldn't see it. My grandma would put lotion on it and the skin would come off in ribbons. I am so disgusted thinking about it now.

OMG that sounds HORRIBLE!!!!I've been burnt before, but I have weird skin and I'd get burnt once in the spring and then not at all after that. I had a really really dark tan for a long time. But now I am back to being whiter than sheets.

And Santa Fe. I got lost while trying to find the Plaza once. For about 2 hours. We finally gave up and drove back home. Of course the person I was with had planned the trip but didn't bring a map. Ugh. You're so right about being like spaghetti. Food comparisons always go over well with me, of course, but it's so accurate for the roads in SF!!! If I go up there I'll call my friend Andrea-she's lived up there her whole life, so she's better be able to tell me how to get un-lost.

Have you been shopping for gemstones up there before? I'm really not impressed with the jewelry stores in NM unless you're looking for Native American silver/turquoise stuff. We have TONS of that stuff.

And Maul stores. Other than that though...

 

[MonkeyPie]

Oh I hear you about the native american jewelry. While pretty, it isn''t my style - the last piece I had in that style was a baby ring heh. They do have some really decent shops in the plaza for more modern jewels, though. When I was about 22 and my best friend was thinking marriage, we went to watch Zazobra and stayed overnight to go to the plaza the next day for fiestas, and we walked all through the jewelry shops. They have AMAZING stuff, but it can get pricey really easy. It''s pretty easy to ask them for a particular stone/cut you want though, because the majority of them make their own stuff.

 

[Skippy123]

Indy, I keep meaning to ask you but where did you eat in Albuquerque or did you eat in ABQ? I love your Iceland pics but I heard Iceland is super expensive; for example just one drink is like $20. How much were meals? It does look pretty awesome! Did you go during the summer? Was it hard to sleep at night? TIA

 

[Independent Gal]

Hiya Skippers! I don't remember the place we ate in ABQ. We had lunch in a place that was in a hotel downtown where there are lots of plazas...ring any bells? I think it was near the courthouse maybe? Anyway, it was tasty, but nothing to write home about. We were kind of disoriented and DH said 'no more Mexican food!' He was really craving a burger! I think I had a fish taco and it was yummy.

As for Iceland, it is INSANELY expensive. I was trekking most of the time. I went with my sister and my dad and we hired this company http://www.fjallabak.is/ as a guide so we didn't have to worry about orienteering or carrying our equipment! The cost was about 1200 euros, including food, tents / huts, and guide for 8 days. So, actually probably cheaper than a European hotel vacation. But my dad paid for my sister and I for the trekking part, which made it...very affordable for us!

You and your hubby like hiking, right? Also, flights over to Iceland are very cheap from NYC. Probably a little more from ABQ, though.

But back in Rejkjavik, lunch at a little bakery cafe for 3 was US $80. I mean, we're talking a couple of soups, sandwiches and drinks here. So, yeah, it is pretty crazy! But we were only there in the city for 2 days. My sister and I had one crazy night on the town that cleaned us out, but it was worth it. Ohhhh, yes. That was an awesome night!

In terms of hard to sleep at night, we went in August and it really was not too bad. The sun went down around... 9pm? And trust me, after hiking 12-15 miles, you have no trouble falling asleep! I was once in the north of Denmark in June, and the sun set around midnight and rose again at 4, and then I really did have trouble sleeping, so I just sat on the beach until the sun set. Which was actually quite magical.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 7/10/2008 11:03:34 AM
Author: Independent Gal
Hiya Skippers! I don't remember the place we ate in ABQ. We had lunch in a place that was in a hotel downtown where there are lots of plazas...ring any bells? I think it was near the courthouse maybe? Anyway, it was tasty, but nothing to write home about. We were kind of disoriented and DH said 'no more Mexican food!' He was really craving a burger! I think I had a fish taco and it was yummy.

As for Iceland, it is INSANELY expensive. I was trekking most of the time. I went with my sister and my dad and we hired this company http://www.fjallabak.is/ as a guide so we didn't have to worry about orienteering or carrying our equipment! The cost was about 1200 euros, including food, tents / huts, and guide for 8 days. So, actually probably cheaper than a European hotel vacation.

You and your hubby like hiking, right? Also, flights over to Iceland are very cheap from NYC. Probably a little more from ABQ, though.

But back in Rejkjavik, lunch at a little bakery cafe for 3 was US $80. I mean, we're talking a couple of soups, sandwiches and drinks here. So, yeah, it is pretty crazy! But we were only there in the city for 2 days. My sister and I had one crazy night on the town that cleaned us out, but it was worth it. Ohhhh, yes. That was an awesome night!

In terms of hard to sleep at night, we went in August and it really was not too bad. The sun went down around... 9pm? And trust me, after hiking 12-15 miles, you have no trouble falling asleep! I was once in the north of Denmark in June, and the sun set around midnight and rose again at 4, and then I really did have trouble sleeping, so I just sat on the beach until the sun set. Which was actually quite magical.

How difficult is the hiking and how long ago did you go? Wow, 12-15 hours of hiking; that is why you are so tiny!!!!

Also, I heard start the party at midnight, wow! Sounds like an awesome time. I am just so taken by your pictures; they are quite amazing!

Thank you sweetie!