I was invited to Albuquerque, New Mexico a few weeks ago to enjoy the 40th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. I was ecstatic. I have ridden in a hot air balloon once before and couldn’t wait to do it again, and I was even more excited about the chance to photograph the visual spectacle of 500 balloons launching over the Sandia mountains at one time.

My camera broke in transit – strike 1 for my fantasy strip.

Wind and rain kept the hot air balloons grounded during my entire visit – strike 2.

And yet I had a fabulous time in Albuquerque and am eager to go back. Despite a lackluster experience with the 40th Balloon Fiesta, I discovered an old city surrounded by unique natural beauty and brimming with rich cultural traditions. I also had the best margarita(s) of my life.

Let’s start with the margaritas.

El Pinto (or The Spot in English) is one of the most popular restaurants in Albuquerque and arguably one of the city’s most successful businesses. What began as a family restaurant serving New Mexican cuisine has become a destination for locals and tourists, boasting an extensive chile garden and their own line of salsas. El Pinto is now the largest restaurant in the state, but guests still enjoy a level of hospitality associated with a family business. And really – you have to have the margaritas.

(Check out this video tutorial of how to make the perfect margarita.) Read More »

Hot air gets a bad rap. That, according to the lovers of hot air ballooning and the festivals that it inspires.

This photo was taken at the Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Malaysia, but there is probably a hot air balloon festival closer to you.

The International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Oct. 1 – 9) even has a balloon museum, so it’s like educational. Also, kids love balloons — good luck explaining why they can’t have one.

This post is a wordy Wordless Wednesday entry.

Photo: Eric Lim Photography via Flickr

And now it’s time for the ongoing online saga consisting of travel links, tweets and the sweet deals of summer. Can you feel that? That, my friends, is excitement!

Here’s how it works. Over the week my inbox (link in right sidebar) runneth over with travel-related stories and pitches. I look into them and, should they prove interesting, I share them with you, the reader. I also do the Twitter. The jury is still out on Google+.

So with nothing further ado, here is a collection of travel fun from the past week:

Common Sense and Whiskey (not to be confused with my life) by Bill Murray (not that one) offers interesting travel insight and pictures.

510 Families has great no-fly vacation ideas if you’re in the San Fransisco area (or not, but really like driving).

Want to play 18 holes of golf in Hawai’i for under $80? Of course you do.

Palm Beach County, Florida wants you in the deep end. Diver down, people.

Cotton Tree in the Cayman Islands has a great deal going on that is still to expensive for me, but you might like it.

Traveling with kids in Albuquerque? Rookie Moms have things to do!

The Personal Vacation Plan can fill in those blanks in your travel itinerary.

Hotel Tonight is the app you need for same day and last minute hotel reservations and deals.

Rainforest Cafe wants to send you to Walt Disney World. All you need is a frog and a camera.

Tripbase has 15 very magical photos to share.

There you go, folks. Quick and easy. Use the links in the opening paragraph to share your links with the travel crowd via your friends here at UpTake. You’ll be glad you did!

Last month, my family of four had the opportunity to travel to New Mexico to help my father-in-law celebrate a significant birthday (I won’t tell you which one, to protect his privacy . Besides meeting up with aunts, uncles and cousins, we also managed to pack in a great weekend getaway on a trip I would recommend…

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