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09/09/2010 03:47:24 PM · #1
Steve, Yo_Spiff and I are going to see my daughter in Albuquerque, NM. I'm very excited to see both her and Balloons. We are starting to seriously plan our trip. So, here's the first question: Has anyone shot Carlsbad Caverns? I went as a kid but don't remember much. Wanted to know if it was worth going out of the way for? I am also looking at going a bit out of the way to White Sands. Any suggestions as to where to go shooting? I want to spend time with my girl but also want to see as much as possible.

I don't have a good idea about the Balloon Fiesta but my current thinking is that we'll be there in the morning and day tripping during the day when my son-in-law and daughter are at work. I don't want to over plan the trip but also don't want to waste any opportunities either.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.


09/09/2010 04:11:10 PM · #2
Carlsbad caverns are definitely worth a visit. I have some shots from my visit a few years back
link

And while you are in southern New Mexico, I would definitely recommend visiting White Sands - another wonder
link

09/09/2010 04:34:08 PM · #3
As you know, I specialize in odd locations around the state, and I've certainly found some beauties.

I'm not too sure what you guys are after, but for fossilized wood/dinosaur there are several wonderful locations I can point of in the NW corner of the state (also home of Ship Rock, another very interesting location)

In the northern mountains you can find a ton of interesting stuff, largely Hispanic cultural stuff (real, not the museum crud), in the Albuquerque area there are some opportunities, but it's pretty much the most limited as far as potential.

In the SE corner of the state White Sands is a must see, but try hard for a cloudy day (otherwise it's pretty much hopeless and depth/distance isn't well illustrated), Carlsbad Caverns is an OK location, certainly nothing wrong with it, especially if you would like improved facilities (ie. where I don't go :) )..

In my corner of the state (SW) we have a ton of options, depending on what you're looking for, I can give you old wrecked buildings that are AMAZING (and no one cares if you're poking around, most of the time they'll even tell you a good story about it), or we can visit an amazing old mine complex (kelly or blanchard), we can stand on any one of a number of 10,000ft peaks and look over the surrounding area, The VLA (Very Large Array) is here, along with the MRO (Magdalena Ridge Observatory). We can see San Lorenzo Canyon (cool geo stuff) or explore the Cabradas (deserty hills), if you want big open spaces and would like to see some of the White Sands Missile Range complex we can go to the Jornada del Muerto Volcano...

Really, tons of options around the state, it's really going to be more of what you want that what we have, you'd need much more time to really explore the state, so I'd suggest trying to work in the types of stuff you want to shoot, pm me if you want my tele#, we can of course have a chat about what it is you're really after.

Cheers!
-Cory
09/09/2010 04:47:56 PM · #4
If you are going to Abq, there are some cool things in that area. One is the Sandia Peak cable tram. You can see about 50 miles from the peak on a good day. A second short side trip would be to visit the Petroglyphs N Monument.
To do the Balloon Fest, I recommend getting up very early, like 4: AM and be there on the field when they are setting up and doing the pre-dawn flame on's and lift off thing.
Madrid, about a 35 mile side trip to the NE is a fine day trip. There is a unique cemetery there, because the place was a coal mining town, then in the 60's a hippie art commune. Some of the artists are still there and have shops one is a very good glass blowing shop.
N M album 1
The 2nd half is Abq area, the 1st half is around Taos.
Madrid
The first few are around Santa Fe, the next group Madrid, and the Combres & Toltec RR is up near Co, at Chama. The RR is worth the drive up there. In 06, it was less than $70 to ride 65 miles across high passes and tunnels, with a lunch stop in the middle. It's an awesome trip for steam buffs, because you can move around anywhere on the train except on the engine and tender. My nephew and I spent most of the trip right behind the tender in the steam and cinders.
I hope that you will have as good a time as we did. At the Balloon Fest, a balloon landed right next to me, and we found that we were from towns within 90 miles of each other. Part of their team was going back to Fl the next day, so our group of 4 ended up being part of their chase team, and all of us got balloon rides in return for shooting photos of their two balloons in flight over the next two days.
A monopod was a great item to have for that trip. You can see in the photos where I was using it with self timer to get a lot of shots from impossible POV's.
09/09/2010 06:19:09 PM · #5
All of that sound great. I was thinking that we would go to Carlsbad and White sands on the way there. We can't leave until Sunday because of commitments here. So, since we are missing the first weekend, then I would like to make the most of the trip there.

So does my idea for Fiesta week sound good. Get up early, see balloons, then grab breakfast and day trip it somewhere. This is not our first trip there so some of what's been mentioned was already on the list. SI have ridden the tram and don't feel the need maybe to do it again. I'm scared of heights so it was a bit traumatic. The thing that I have found is htat as long as I'm behind a camera, some things that scare me don't. The camera is a great distraction. I'm still SCARED OF HEIGHTS and the tram is a LONG way UP FROM THE GROUND! Steve found a building he hopes that Cory will hike with him to on Sandia Peak. I don'/t want to hike there but that doesn't mean I might not do something else while you guys go walking. I am happy to stay up on the peak, read a book and maybe drink a cocktail. Sounds like peace to me.

I have driven up the Turquoise Trail, stopped in Madrid and gotten all the way to Santa Fe. Hopefully Tinker Town will be open again. I know that I want to shoot in there. It was such a fun and funky place. It think Steve will really like it. I want to show Steve the Lorretto Chapel staircase. It was amazing. He's going to try to be patient when I go to the O'Keefe Museum. The biggest difference with this trip from the others is that I am a photographer and not just a tourist. I grew up camping all over New Mexico and Colorado but I was just a tourist then. There are always opportunities for beautiful scenery, which I am really looking forward too. I really miss the mountains but NM mountains are different from the Rockies.

Steve wants to visit the Petroglyphs. Love the idea of this time of year. The last time I was there it was July. I got sunburned and was TOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOT. Thought I was going to pass out. I'm hoping to travel on the reservations some if Matt can arrange it. He grew up in Belen and his parents still live there. I'm not sure how much time they will be able to take off but I think Sarah is off in the middle part of the week because she works some weekends.

I hope I sound excited about this trip. I can't wait to see my darling girl, Sarah and her wonderful husband. Not so happy about their snake though. She's a lot bigger than the last time I saw her. I'm not picking up a 6' python. I'm telling you guys now. It's not for me. But am thrilled to go for another visit with a different perspective than all my other trips to the area.

I am happy to take any hints, tips or ideas from anyone.


09/10/2010 11:48:11 AM · #6
Just talked to my darling daughter and she will be off work that Tuesday so she can go do the balloons with us. YEAH for me, Both Steve and Her up at 4 am. Can we say yuck and where's the nearest cup of coffee.

She says she's pretty excited about our visit and has been talking about it at work. I'm glad she isn't dreading it. Should be fun. I'm having tons of fun planning it.


09/10/2010 11:52:11 AM · #7
Originally posted by cowtownmom:

I'm glad she isn't dreading it.

Well, at least she's not, but has she warned him that his in-laws are coming?
09/10/2010 04:11:03 PM · #8
Originally posted by cowtownmom:

Just talked to my darling daughter and she will be off work that Tuesday so she can go do the balloons with us. YEAH for me, Both Steve and Her up at 4 am. Can we say yuck and where's the nearest cup of coffee.

She says she's pretty excited about our visit and has been talking about it at work. I'm glad she isn't dreading it. Should be fun. I'm having tons of fun planning it.


Forget what's closest... Go over to Satellite Cafe on Central in Knob Hill (just east of the University district), great food and fine coffee.
09/11/2010 03:35:58 AM · #9
Ok, where is that and what about the Owl.
09/11/2010 11:49:36 AM · #10
Originally posted by cowtownmom:

Ok, where is that and what about the Owl.


The Owl is super close to me, 10 minutes or so, and yes, they are CLEARLY the best green chili cheese burgers in the state (at least on a good day :) )..

The Satellite Cafe is in Albuquerque, in the NW quadrant of the SE quadrant
09/11/2010 12:58:18 PM · #11
What an easy city to navigate. Divided evenly into 4 quarters by the interstates, with clearly visible mountains to the east so one always knows what direction they are going in. Even my stepdaughter (who can get lost between her bedroom and kitchen) can find her way in that city.
09/11/2010 01:07:42 PM · #12
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

What an easy city to navigate. Divided evenly into 4 quarters by the interstates, with clearly visible mountains to the east so one always knows what direction they are going in. Even my stepdaughter (who can get lost between her bedroom and kitchen) can find her way in that city.


Yep... Navigation out here is typically super easy, you've always got some sort of visible reference point.
09/11/2010 06:50:12 PM · #13
What's the time distance by car from Socorro to Albuquerque
09/11/2010 08:59:54 PM · #14
Originally posted by cowtownmom:

What's the time distance by car from Socorro to Albuquerque


How fast do you drive? ;)

Practically speaking it's about 45min-1hour depending on where you start and how fast you drive. :)

Not really an impractical journey in any case, it's 100% interstate 98% of it @ 75mph.
09/13/2010 02:40:13 AM · #15
That's about what I was thinking in terms of distance. Looked about as far away as Santa Fe. We need to set something up for sure.

I'm up for any ideas. My goal is to have lots of stuff in my trip notebook to choose from but not over plan and take up too much time. I know that Tuesday we are going to go see balloons and not sure about the rest of the time.

I'm open to suggestions and totally welcome any links you want to send me.

Ellen
09/13/2010 08:10:16 PM · #16
Was hoping someone else would post here to let us know that you are active in the area that we are visiting. Anyone else in the area?


09/13/2010 08:50:22 PM · #17
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

the Combres & Toltec RR is up near Co, at Chama.


This isn't running this year do to a wooden bridge being burnt out. I think it may be running from the Antonito side to the top of the pass, but I'm not sure.
09/13/2010 10:24:22 PM · #18
You are right about the trestle burn out. Here's their news page;
Combres & Toltec News

The July 1st article is the pertinent one .
09/14/2010 12:21:38 AM · #19
The train is running again after the trestle burned but it's a bit pricey so I'm not sure if we can swing it. Sounds really great though. Found another train the runs north and south through Albuquerque from Los Lunas up to Colorado.

Meeting up with Cory for at least dinner on the way up and then he's going hiking with Steve one day whether I go or not. May be hanging out with my girl that day. Sounds like lots and lots of fun. for all.

I'm excited about going to watch the balloons. Sarah says that she Shape Glowdeo is pretty spectacular and truly fun.
09/14/2010 12:32:13 AM · #20
Think she's just a little excited about this trip?
09/14/2010 12:49:02 AM · #21
If you have time, do the Sandia Mountain Tram and get there early enough to wait in line for the ride up. You want to be at the top before sunset and you won't be disappointed!! Even the view off the back side is eerily beautiful after sundown. Lots of blues and pinks on the peaks, with the vibrant warm colors out front. Great food at the top, too! (It will get chilly up there!) And take the tripod!
09/14/2010 01:00:08 AM · #22
I took the tram up last time we were there for my stepdaughter's wedding last year. Got some very nice shots, including one that did well in a Freestudy. This time my plan is to drive up to the peak and hike to the Kiwanis cabin. I think coryboehne might be joining me. We'll see if this fat middle aged body is tougher than it looks. (How far a hike is that again?)

Message edited by author 2010-09-14 01:00:28.
09/14/2010 01:03:34 AM · #23
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

I took the tram up last time we were there for my stepdaughter's wedding last year. Got some very nice shots, including one that did well in a Freestudy. This time my plan is to drive up to the peak and hike to the Kiwanis cabin. I think coryboehne might be joining me. We'll see if this fat middle aged body is tougher than it looks. (How far a hike is that again?)


That will be VERY cool. We drove up the back of the mountain after dark and it was freezing...and super windy at the top. Lots of deer on the way up.

As for White Sands...it's a must!
09/14/2010 01:31:30 AM · #24
This is where STeve is so anxious to hike to
Kiwanis Hut by Sandia Peak

09/15/2010 10:09:39 PM · #25
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Think she's just a little excited about this trip?


No, I'm A TON excited about this trip. I can't wait to see my girl again and Matt too. Also, I'm visiting the area with a different point of view because of you guys and my birthday present. Also, I've wanted to go see the balloons since she went away to high school in Pecos. I'm very very excited about that too.

Anyone else been here? Tinkertown Museum

Message edited by author 2010-09-15 22:25:12.
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