The historic Plaza in Santa Fe, at night.

In October, I had the pleasure of spending several days in Santa Fe, New Mexico. My husband and I stayed at Garrett’s Desert Inn, quite close to the Plaza and central to most walking-distance attractions. While the hotel itself wasn’t all that fabulous (clean, but a bit shabby), the location was AWESOME. In fact, it’s just steps away from the Pink Adobe. We went more than twice (okay, four times in three days).

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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

I prefer a road trip to a plane trip any day. I realize that, living in Chandler Arizona as I do, road trips to destinations on the East Coast are a bit more ambitious than the amount of vacation time that I have available. But there are plenty of weekend trips that can be made in the comfort and convenience of my very own vehicle, with Arizona as the jumping-off point. We’ve refined road tripping to an art form. And now, gentle readers, I am going to divulge my secret destinations to you.

They’re really not all that secretive.

A view from Highway 25 between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Chandler Arizona to Santa Fe New Mexico: 8 hrs 16 min, 473 miles

An eight-hour-and-change drive is an easy jaunt for us – especially when we’ve been known to drive for sixteen hours straight to get to a particular destination. Santa Fe is a lovely destination for a long weekend. I have my eye on a luxurious stay at the Bishop’s Lodge Resort and Spa, doing some shopping and dining in the historic downtown area, and maybe get in some skiing if we happen to visit in the winter.

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