Quebradas Back Country Byway

It was time to make a trip to Bosque del Apache.  I decided to make a couple day trip out of it and
play tourist.  On the NM DOT web site I found map and information for some scenic drives.  It has been dry, so I was sure back country dirt/gravel roads would be passable.  Guebradas Byway was along my way from Rio Rancho to Bosque del Apache.

Thanks to good direction on the DOT web sire, I was able to find the byway off I-25 at Escondida (just North of Socorro).  Follow carefully the NMDOT web site direction to find the start of this back country byway.

It was a welcome break from the Interstate and the traffic of the ABQ Merto area.  Other than some folks out for 4-wheeling in  "dune buggy type" vehicles, I only encountered about 3 or 4 vehicles on the 24 mile road.

The road drops you onto US380 about 11 miles East of San Antonio.From there, I drove south on NM 1 to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuse visitors center.  By that time I needed was facility break and picked up pass for the refuge.

Bicycling Community Meet & Greet

This evening, I drove over the the Balloon Fiesta Museum for the Albuquerque Bicycle Community Meet & Greet.  There was no speeches, just a quick welcome and acknowledgement of the groups & clubs in attendance.  The rest of the time was spent consuming finger food and networking.  I registered as a member of AMBA (Albuquerque Mountain Bike Association). 

16" boots

While I was packing up the Iowa house, I did not think I would want/need any of my high boots.  I had a pair of Red Wing 16" boots that was not fitting right these days (I was much heavier than when I bought them).  Not thinking about of the boots that I bought from Nature, I decided I did not need/desire the tall boots.

Now that I have been losing weight - about 40 pounds so far - I was looking for 16" high boots.  I started looking at boots on-line.  Red Wing no longer makes the 16" lineman's boots.  There were others out the retailing over $400.  I was able to find Carolina Boot Co 16" boots for $209 (shipping included).  I bit the bullet and ordered the boots (size 12W).  Those boots arrived this afternoon.

Took time to pre-lace the bottom eyelets and tried on the right boot (was rough to get it on - because of my high inset - but fits good once on).

Later this evening or tomorrow I will lace up both boots to wear them a little - break them in. 

Update:  Was able to get both boots on.  Little problems getting them on because of my high instep.  Once I got them on, they are comfortable to wear.  Think I just need to wear them to stretched them - or may have to check out places to stretch the instep area.

Sandwich at Local Brewhouse

I seemed to have a little cabin fever and decided to check out "The Local Brewhouse" for early Friday evening dinner.  It was a pretty busy place, more than I had seen other times.  Most of the bar stools were occupied.  I decided to sit at a table in the main part of the facility.

The place had only been open for about a year, it was good to see that they are making a good of it here. They do a good job on most of the food (I like their burgers and Philly Cheese-steak).  They usually end up having too many fries with the sandwich.  My favorite beer there is the "Local" Amber Ale. 

I like the food at this place.  Its about a mile from the house.  Not too far from the local VFW post.  The VFW post has $2.50 pints of Alaskan Amber Ale, but the post canteen allows smoking (being a private club). It's too smoky for me.

First Measurable Snow

It was almost a whole week into the new year before we had the first measure-able snowfall here in Albuquerque/Rio Rancho.  Over Thursday night, the temperature dropped as precipitation fell in New Mexico.  We were right at the freeze line.

When I got up on Friday morning, there was about an inch of snow on the ground, under a thin layer of ice.  Conditions were dicey enough school was called off in Rio Rancho.  I stayed inside except for a walk to the street to snap several photos.

As typical, the sun was out and the streets were clear by noon (except where in the shadows). This was in spite of temperature barely reached freezing that day.  Was a beneficial snow - areas in the mountains got some good snows for the ski slopes.