Category: USA

Historic Santa Fe NM

San Miguel Church was built in the early 1600s, the roof recovered from 1694-1710, a three-tiered tower in 1830, and rebuilt as a single tower facade in 1887. Restoration of the beautiful altar backdrop was completed in 1955.
“The Oldest House” sits on part of the foundation of an ancient Indian Pueblo dating to 1200 AD, and taken over by Spaniards in the 1600s. The museum dates itself to 1646.
Rooms inside the Oldest House.
Kiva fireplace dating to the 1600s, introduced by the Spaniards. Native Indians did not use fireplaces due to hazards they posed to inhabitants.
Ceiling.
Governors’ Palace, used during the 1600s.
Cool Spanish hunters in canoe sculpture.
Buffalo Tail, by sculptor Oreland C. Joe, Jr. in 1958.
We stayed one night here at the Historic Hilton Hotel in Santa Fe. Built in 1625, the hacienda originally belonged to Padre Ramon Ortiz, a member of one of Santa Fe’s founding families. In 1973, Hilton acquired, restored, and expanded the hacienda while preserving its historic features. The three luxury casitas (we were upgraded free to one of these!) are built within the adobe walls of the 17th-century coach house featuring planked ceilings, exposed brick, Colonial furnishings, and a traditional kiva fireplace.
Looking east on W. San Francisco Street

La Jornada (The Journey)

Albuquerque NM

This sculpture outside the Albuquerque Museum depicts several of the 600 settlers who embarked on an arduous seven month journey in 1598 from Santa Barbara (about 250 miles south of El Paso TX) to establish their homes in the northernmost province of New Spain (present day New Mexico). Many modern day New Mexicans trace their roots to these brave men, women and children.

International Balloon Fiesta

Albuquerque NM

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
-Psalm 19:1

At 6:30 AM, still dark, they did a Drone Light show. Pretty cool.
Another design in the Drone Light show.
Balloons started lifting off in the dark, and the fire made the balloons glow.
This is our balloon flat on the ground.
Our pilot inflating the balloon.
Ready for liftoff!
Inside of the balloon.
The liftoff was very smooth.
More balloons will follow us!
It was actually warm as we floated in the sky, about 2,000 feet above ground. Albuquerque is at altitude of about 5,000 feet so we are 7,000 feet above sea level.
We felt no breeze while in the balloon. The breeze is what moves the balloon, so we were actually moving at whatever the wind speed was.
So peaceful.
There are about 500 balloons at the Fiesta, about 300 while we were in the air.
Close encounter. Our balloon actually “kissed” this balloon but we did not feel any impact.
University of New Mexico’s balloon.
Here are a few balloons up close.
This is the way we landed, on our backs! Not to worry, it was intentional.
Our landing was about a 30 foot skid in an abandoned golf course.
Our balloon deflated after landing.
Every balloon flight is celebrated with a champagne toast. This tradition dates back to the 1700s in France, the very early years of balloon flights. Since you can’t really accurately control where the balloon lands, often times balloons would land on someone’s private property, typically a farm. In the early years, people who had not seen or heard of balloons were fearful that the balloon was a dragon (or worse). Thus developed the tradition of bringing a bottle of champagne to give to the farmer as a peace offering. Champagne was the libation of choice because French King Louis XVI wanted to show off his wines! This tradition continues to this day. Our pilot Pete said he has landed on farms in the Napa Valley CA, and gave champagne to the slightly irritated farmers.

Our pilot also shared this Irish Balloonist Prayer:
The winds have welcomed you with softness
The sun has blessed you with its warm hands
You have flown so high and so well
That God has joined you in laughter
And set you gently back again
Into the loving arms of Mother Earth
Here we are with our balloon pilot Pete.
During International Balloon Fiesta, Balloon Fiesta Park looks like a state fair!

Last day in Hawai’i

So our vacation is almost over. We flew from Hilo to Honolulu to spend one last afternoon at Waikiki.

Flying to Honolulu we flew past Haleakalā. The observatories are visible here.
Flying south of Molokai. The city visible here is Kaunakakai.
Honolulu.
This is a typical lower income apartment complex. Water heater, washing machine and sink are outside.
We had lunch here, per recommendation from our granddaughter.
The view from our table.
Relaxing.
Crab sandwiches.
Four cheese pizza with honey.
This arrangement is in the lobby of the Halekulani Hotel.
One final look at Waikiki Beach.
One final look at Diamond Head.
One final sunset at Waikiki.
Honolulu and Diamond Head profile as we are leaving in the plane. Goodbye Hawai’i!!

Last night in Hilo

Hilo Bay leading out to the Pacific Ocean.
Hula girl statue at our hotel.
We ate dinner here at Pineapples.
Grilled pineapples, grilled chicken and sweet potato fries.
The TVs at the bar showed surfing competition, rather than Sweet 16 games from March Madness! Welcome to Hawai’i!