Day to Play Tourist

I needed to get out of the room and out of town Sunday.  Was thinking of taking a bike ride, but was a little chilly until late in the afternoon.  I decided to head up the Turquoise Trail.

Tinkertown Museum had opened the day before.  I had wanted to see the place, so it was my first destination.  Interesting little place - patterned off Wisconsin's House on the Rock. Shot a lot of photos in the little museum.  Building a wed site page of the photos.

From there, I headed north in NM 14 to Madrid.  Was thinking of scoping out places there. Madrid is a revitalized "ghost town".  Lots of artisans, shops, and old buildings. Even being Easter Sunday, the town was hopping.  A little too much so for me to enjoy checking out the town.  So, I headed on North almost to Santa Fr and headed South on I-25 to Albuquerque.

House Hunting Day

Saturday was the day to look at houses.  Started with breakfast with the High Desert Amateur Radio Club.  Then met my realtor and we started in Rio Rancho.

Three of the houses in Rio Rancho were possibles - meaning that I could see me living in them.  There were 2 we looked at in Albuquerque, just South of I-40 and in the Unser/Coors area.  They were not suitable. 

Back at the real estate office, discussed the houses we inspected.  Selected one with a good price, had every of the items I wanted.  It was close to city bicycle trails, a block from shopping, and about a mile or so from a large medical facility.

My real estate agent met with me and my cousin for a couple pints and sandwiches at Billy's Long Bar.  It was a very productive day.

Rio Rancho, NM

Friday, my real estate agent was busy.  I took the day to scope out the city of Rio Rancho.  It's a "suburb" of Albuquerque - NW of downtown.  Those of my friends in the Omaha area, Rio Rancho is the LaVista of the area.The photo here is of city hall.

My visit to city hall as pleasant and productive.  Picked up information about the city including street and bicycle maps. Planing office told me restrictions of antenna height.  Everyone in city hall were very helpful.

A Slow Start

Spent a couple days getting making arrangements for looking at house and getting mortgage pre-approval.  Had breakfast with my cousin Tuesday morning, 

Wednesday, I went to the Alien Brewpub in Albuquerque for dinner.  Enjoyed a pint of Alien Amber Ale, chilie cheeseburger and fries.  The green chilies were not too hot,  beer was good, the fries were soggy.

First chance to view houses tomorrow.

A Chilly Morning

I was not ready for the cold this morning.  Was thinking of wearing shorts driving from southern Kansas to Albuquerque.  The weather channel was reporting 14 degrees when I got up and ready to get on the road.

Light breakfast (bowl of cereal) and coffee.  Not hungry as I are so much yesterday.  The drive was straight down US 54 from Liberal to Tucumcari, NM.  Along the road, I saw "Tex", which last trip I identified being in Tucumcari.  Really, it was a little area NE of Dalhart, TX.  corrected my photo blog and photos on the web site.

Continhes taking photos of old, abandoned buildings on this trip.  Tucumcari is a treasure trove of these buildings.  The New Mexico map shows a "ghost town" near Tucumcari along old Route 66 called Montoya.  There are more abandoned buildings in Newkirk, just down the road.  Got off the interstate at Newkick and drove the frontage road to Cuervo (took photos there last tine through here).

Construction on I-40 getting into Albuquerque.  Got off the highway and took Central Ave to Nob Hill and picked up mail in my mail box.  Checked into the motel and started settling into the room.  Short drive for a Blizzard and in for the night - exhausted.

Heading to Buy a House

Had a little delay getting on the road to Albuquerque - waiting for meds from the VA.  departed the Iowa residence a little before 4 am.  Drove in the dark for a good 3 hours.

Could not find a place suitable for food (convenience and not a chain) until about 11am.  Had a chili-cheeseburger and fries at the Cozy Cafe in Mullinville, KS.

After lunch, saw a sign for a historic round barn.  It was just 5 miles from the cafe.  Shot a couple photos.  Caught this photo of the old windmill at the barn property with the modern windmills in the distance.

Ended up in Liberal, KS for the night. A little over 500 miles and at the lodging before 3pm. Was going to grab a beer at a honky-tonk.  But, it was a membership club and only has bottle beer.  Ended up downtown at the Bricks for a pint of Fat Tire with a bacon cheeseburger and onion rings for supper.

Spring 2016 Schedule

My Spring is soon filling up.  Next week I am paying off my Iowa mortgage.  In the next week or two, I will be in Albuquerque to buy a house.  Then back to Iowa to pac up the POD with the items I want to move with me.  Back to ABQ to close on the house purchase there.

Once I have packed up my "stuff" from the Iowa house and its in storage or en route to New Mexico, There will be a sale of personal effects left in the Iowa house.  Finally, that house will be put on the market.

I do not see any way I can fit in my Army reunion into this schedule.  About that same time I have final CT scans and visits with my doctors before changing to New Mexico doctors.

Hoping to fit in this bicycle and craft beer festival as I shuttle between Iowa and New Mexico.