I'll be in......

[gja1000]

Albuquerque for a conference from Wed-Sat. I'm supposed to have wireless internet in my room, so if I do, I'll probably check in during the evening. I'm staying in a room by myself (which means I'll be bored in the evening and surfing the net), although I have lots of friends who will also be at the conference. It will be good to see them as they live around the country and we only see each other every year or so at these conferences.

Albuquerque is one of my all time favorite cities - the conference is in a hotel in Old Town so that means lots of SHOPPING for turquoise and silver! LOVE IT!!!

I also have some family there and will visit with them some too. It may be a busy four days! :eek: But it will be FUN!

[Marilyn]

Hope you have a wonderful break, Gayle, you deserve it!!!!

[Janet]

Gayle it sounds like a fun time to me. Can you possibly take some pictures? I know I'll probably never get to Allbuquerque and I'd really love to see a bit of it. Nothing special, just as you're walking take a picture....lol

I would probably be out with the friends instead of inside my room. But...I couldn't be without 4WT so would really have to make time or go through ugly withdrawals.

[Tiramisu]

Have fun! Sometimes I wish I had a job that took me on trips. I drove through Albuquerque fifteen years ago, but didn't get to do any sight seeing.

[Dobie]

Have fun while you're there!! Tell us all about it!

[DianaB]

Have fun and stay safe. Don't worry about us because we'll still be here when you get back. Have fun with your friends!!! Pictures would be nice!!!

[2tiredmom]

Enjoy, It's got to be nice to get away every once in a while. I've never been there either. Sounds like fun. Have a great time. Fill us in with stories when you get back. Make some nice memories.:)

[gja1000]

OK, I'm here and friends don't arrive till tomorrow. I'm checking out the wireless which seems to work great!

I flew Southwest and my plane came in from somewhere (??? - but people got off it) and then I got on and it stopped in El Paso (but I didn't have to get off), then continued on to Albuquerque, then on to Chicago, and then to Nashville. THAT plane had quite a workout today! :eek:

The leaves are changing here in Albuquerque - which is a treat for me being in Texas where the leaves just die of old age, turn brown and fall off in December! The Rio Grande river runs right through Albuquerque, north and south, and there are huge cottonwood trees lining both sides of the river banks. All those trees are bright yellow - it looked like a giant yellow road stripe from the air!!!

Rats! I don't have my camera with me - I couldn't find the extra card and Gary was taking the card in the camera to have some pix developed - so no camera! But I'll try to take a few pix with my cell phone, if possible. They won't be very good though.

Albuquerque is a wonderful city. I love the architecture, it is mostly adobe with lots of flat roofed homes. I just really love it here. Of course I love the Indian jewelry too - and hopefully, I'll have to time shop for some!!!

[Marilyn]

Oh, Gayle, wish we could be there with you. I love to visit that area, too, and do love the turquois and the copper jewelry. Bring some back for us, jk. My favorite city in NM to visit is Santa Fe. So unique!!

[Gina]

Gayle, Sounds like a plan.. have fun shopping while your there!

[DianaB]

You went to Albuquerque by way of Chicago and Nashville? Wow!! You certainly had the scenic tour!!!!! I'm glad that you arrived all safe and sound. Too bad that you forgot your camera. Maybe you could get a disposable one and still get some picts. Have a good time!!!!

[gja1000]

You went to Albuquerque by way of Chicago and Nashville? Wow!! You certainly had the scenic tour!!!!! I'm glad that you arrived all safe and sound. Too bad that you forgot your camera. Maybe you could get a disposable one and still get some picts. Have a good time!!!!

OH NO! I didn't go to Chicago and Nashville, but the plane i was on went - I meant it came from somewhere to Austin, then on to El Paso, then on to Albuquerque (where I got off) then on to Chicago then on to Nashville. I thought that was ALOT of starts and stops for one plane in one day!!!

[gja1000]

Hi Guys!
I've had a great time so far!!! I went over to a friends house last night and that was a lot of fun to see her - hadn't seen her for a couple of years. Then when I got back to my hotel room, a friend at the conference left me a message so I went to see her and also saw another friend. We agreed to meet for breakfast this morning and had a great visit.

Then we went to Old Town in Albuquerque. It's a historical district where all the buildings are very very old flat roofed adobe. There are TONS of shops down there and we shopped till our feet couldn't go any longer. I bought Christmas gifts for my best friends and a couple of things for myself. I have SO MUCH turquoise and silver jewelry, and really don't need anything else, but I bought a bracelet and a small necklace/earrings. The friend I was with had all her jewelry stolen a few months ago, so I helped her buy a few pieces that were similar to the ones she before. We had a great time and she bought four really great pieces of wonderful jewelry.

I also bought a couple of souviners - but don't plant to buy too much, as it is too close to Christmas to spend much money.

Since I don't have my camera - I've attached some off the web
1. typical store in Old Town
2. Indian Market - the Indians have their jewelry for sale spread out on a blanket on the sidewalk around the square
3. church on the square

[Shada]

I was there years ago for a weekend. It is really nice and I know you are loving it.
Enjoy the food!!!!! Try to find smaller family owned resturant and enjoy the local flavors. You will love it.


Have a great time!!

and.. a safe trip home.

[DianaB]

It sounds really interesting!! I may have to put it on my list of places that I'd like to go!!!! It sounds like you're having a great time!!!

[gja1000]

I was there years ago for a weekend. It is really nice and I know you are loving it.
Enjoy the food!!!!! Try to find smaller family owned resturant and enjoy the local flavors. You will love it.
Have a great time!! and.. a safe trip home.


Isn't the food just fabulous in Albuquerque - well all of New Mexico, really. I am fortunate that I have visited New Mexico every year for the past 15 years or so - sometimes more than once. I just love the food, the architecture, the people, the scenery, just everything about it!!!

My mom was supposed to come with me on this trip to spend a few days with her neice here in Albuquerque - but when my cousin (her sister) in Oklahoma had surgery, then mom's neice had to go to take care of her - so my mom couldn't come on this trip. She still has her plane ticket though, so YAY! I'll get to come back in a few weeks to bring my mom. Lucky me!!!!! :)

[DianaB]

I was in New Mexico when I was little. We went to Carlsbad Caverns. My whole family remembers that I got spanked in the entrance because I didn't want to put on my sweater! We didn't stay in NM though because we were visiting family in Odessa.

I've never thought much of the southwest, but I'm going to have to look into going there sometime. You make it sound so interesting.

[2tiredmom]

So Diana you never thought much of the Southwest? Was it because you got a
spanking? LOL

[judy]

A spanking huh? I got those too. And nobody called Child Welfare either!

Gayle,

Those pictures you posted are great. That was a good idea. I hope you really enjoyed it. You should be home by now.

Waiting for the details. What did you buy?

[gja1000]

A spanking huh? I got those too. And nobody called Child Welfare either!

Gayle,

Those pictures you posted are great. That was a good idea. I hope you really enjoyed it. You should be home by now.

Waiting for the details. What did you buy?

I had a great time - ate New Mexican food every meal. MMMMMMM! I bought some Christmas gifts - jewelry for my friends - I LOVE buying jewelry!!! I bought myself an amber/turquoise necklace. I also helped a dear friend buy some jewelry to replace what she had stolen this summer. We had a great time looking for things that were similar to what she had before.

I was able to see some friends who I see only one a year or so, at these types of conferences. One of my friend's husband has developed a very serious chronic illness and she is in the caregiver role as I have been for the last 5 years. She and I were able to spend some time together and talk about some things. Her husband has lost his job and cannot work, so I have been helping her with some things such as social security and va benefits. It is so hard, and I am so glad to be able to help her some.

The weather was glorious in Albuquerque. It was sunny and warm each day. The trees were just beginning to turn and the colors were gorgeous!

I got home yesterday and I am glad to have one day home before going back to work tomorrow!

[Marilyn]

Gayle, so glad you had a wonderful time and a much needed break!!

[Janet]

Glad you made it home safe and sound Gayle. You make it sound so lovely, I really wish I could see it someday.

I will most likely never get out of Indiana! Especailly now if I have to fly. The new xray thing at the Indianapolis Airport will let you be seen naked!! Not this girl...no way...I look bad enough with clothes on!

[DianaB]

So Diana you never thought much of the Southwest? Was it because you got a
spanking? LOL

That must be it!!! I've blocked out all the bad memories!!! LOL


Gayle, I'm glad that you're back home. I bet that it was nice to visit with someone going through some of the same problems as you are concerning your husband's health. Sounds like you had a nice time and got to spend some well deserved time with some friends.