ABQ (Albuquerque}

Ok, Ok.  So I haven't updated the blog for a couple of days.  As I told you in the last update, yesterday we thought we were going to stay at a State Park called Elephant Butte, but when we got there, first of all there was no space and secondly we realized this was not a State Park like we know them and like them.  This one was on the Elephant Butte lake and it was for the fishermen and boaters.  To get to Elephant Butte we had to go through a town called Truth or Consequence.  Strange name for a town, but this is how it came about.  In 1950 there was a radio show by that name, the show's host apparently said he wished some town would change it's name to Truth or Consequence.  Well, someone who lived in the town, then called Hot Springs, thought that was a good way to advertise their town free of charge.  A meeting was held and the decision was taken to change the name.  The show was produced there to the whole of America, and the little town was put on the map.

We then had to push on to Albuquerque, which was another 170 miles further than we had planned for the day. in total we drove 245 miles.  The wind was still blowing, maybe not as bad as Thursday but still no fun to drive in.  We arrived in ABQ, as it is known and needless to say, I certainly didn't feel like updating the blog.

This morning, armed with maps, bus time tables and walking shoes on, we set off to see Old Town ABQ.  First of all we got on the wrong bus, but luckily the bus driver was very helpful, especially when he heard where we were from. so we ended up having our own private tour guide on the municipal bus.  When he dropped us in town, he showed us exactly where to go and where not to go and where to catch the bus home.  Oh, he even advised us where to go for lunch.

I had read about a trolley tour we could do in Old Town, so after lunch, we found the trolley and went for an hour long tour of Old Town.  This trolley was owned by 2 young men. who saw an opening and went for it.  They did an excellent job.  With the weather not being great, there were not many people on the trolley, 3 couples to be exact, all Q-Tips, and he went around asking where everyone came from.  Well, we once again made a hit with all aboard.  We keep meeting such lovely people in our travels.

We then did some walking around the town before going to the bus stop, only to find the same bus driver on our return trip.  By the way, the road we traveled into town on, is the famous Route 66.  The first road between Chicago and Los Angeles.  The State Bird of New Mexico is the Road Runner, which we were privileged to see running down the road in Old Town.

We are staying here for a couple of days to do some more sight seeing and will probably move on on Monday.  So that's all for now.