Church and cactus...

Friday, July 9, 2004

Thanks for all the great comments! :) Such nice peeps out there. I'll visit everyone's journals soon, I have been really enjoying some of the ones I have visited. Almost like having a passport to someone else head and home, hey?

Yesterday was my birthday, (I am 39 now, but my horrid little family keeps wishing me a happy 40th. They evidently want to live in squalor and hunger. Heh.) So I didn't do any posting. This evening Aude arrives, and we've been making her welcome sign and getting things clean. It's been hectic.

I am going to separate my journal into two journals next week, one for New Mexico, and one for the family. I'll link em both here, so you can see what you are interested in. More room, and more focused.

Just a couple of photos today, more Monday if I can, maybe some this weekend. The first photo here is a Church in Golden Colorado. It is a favorite of mine. The front of it has this little cemetery that looks like something out of an old western movie. People still leave flowers, toys, signs, etc. Decorations are often colorful and festive. The second photo is a cactus in my front yard that is in the process of flowering. I didn't plant it, it came with the land. I love cactus,. because I can rarely kill it by accident. (::grins::) Some of the cactus I have flower yellow or orange. I'll show you more as I get them.

Thunderstorms and winds have been blowing through. No water, but what a great reprieve from the heat.

Have a great weekend everyone, I'll see ya later!

The famous white adobe church just outside of Madrid, New Mexico

A brilliant pink Cactus bloom opens, awaiting pollination.

Old Town Albuquerque

Wednesday, July 7, 2004

If you ever visit Albuquerque, be sure and see Old Town Plaza. Old Town is the heart of Albuquerque's culture and heritage, with roots going back 500 years. Founded in 1706, Albuquerque he center of an area that has known a European presence for over 500 years, in a city that was founded in 1706. The flags of Spain, Mexico, the United States fly in the plaza representing the past where each of these countries have governed the city. During the Civil War the Confederate States of America controlled Albuquerque for a few short weeks. Buildings around the Old Town Plaza and on the side streets are authentic adobes up to 300 years old, many built in Albuquerque's distinctive "Territorial Style."

Settlers built their first homes here, near the banks of the Rio Grande. The area
served as a farming community and a military outpost. The settlement was a
traditional Spanish town, with a central plaza surrounded by a church, homes and
government buildings. The buildings are adobe, a type of mud-clay brick covered by more of the same. Many of these "territorial" style buildings still stand today,
including the church. Some have been transformed into businesses, others are
still homes.

On holidays and special occasions the are parades, which our family loves to see. Of course the luminarios at Christmas are the most beautiful sight. These paper bags with sand and a candle inside glow beautifully and decorate the plaza.

We'll be taking Yann and Aude to the plaza soon, so I'll have more photos to show you.

If anyone has a special request for photos, or local history or information let me know. :) It'd be a pleasure to get it up here for you.

As for the temperature today, it is still a scorcher. Weather man says we can expect much of the same for a while, though we may get some clouds and thunderstorms by the weekend. One can only hope.

Other things you have to look forward to in the next week or so are:
New Mexico Flowers
Wildlife in New Mexico
Yummy food
Churches
Walking tour of Santa Fe
Native American Art
...and more.

Come by and check in, lemme know whatcha think, and if there is anything I am missing!

See ya laters!

Old Town Albuquerque combines beauty, history, and great shopping. This is the Church of San Felipe de Neri, on the square.

The Church of San Felipe de Neri has been used as a parish church for over 200 years. You can still attend a service today.