We were unprepared for dramatic gusty winds! Our tent, while fantastic, tend to act like a huge kite. We spent a good part of the afternoon figuring out how to secure it to the sandy soil in a way that didn't allow it to lift off the ground! Thankfully, when we were sleeping our collective weight kept it grounded.
On the way to Albuquerque we stopped by Roswell, and had the kids go through the Science Fair like museum there. We spent time learning about mysterious crop circles, and reported alien abductions. They both wished there were more hands on exhibits and less report reading... but nothings perfect.
Our day at the zoo and aquarium made us dreadfully homesick. We spent a good bit of time watching sad looking African animals in tiny enclosures. The kids sighed and missed Mweya and Queen Elizabeth Game Park, where the animals are wild and majestic. Even the monkeys were quiet and the gorilla looked hostile. Fortunately, there was a big old fashioned train that connected the two places, so Nate was estactic.
The clear highlight was Bandelier National Park. The kids, even the twins, climbed wooden ladders into the carved out caves in the sides of the beautiful cliffs. We sat in one for awhile imagining ourselves as early Pueblo indians, that this was our valley, our house, our life. Way cool.
Joe and I dashed in to the Georgia O'Keefe Musuem on our way out of Santa Fe. He had to go to the bathroom so I grabbed his hand and took him with me. He was the only kid, and somehow that raised a stir and caused multiple women to exclaim how enlightened he was. We went from room to room each picking our favorite painting and talking for a minute or two about what caught our eye about it. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
As we pulled into Jodie and Jack's place in Durango, we were welcomed with open arms. What a delightful time we had connecting with these dear folks! Warm beds, great food and a chance for the kids to play with others their age. It was fantastic to get a respite from the wind and cold weather and sleep in "Pat's room." Jodie has a painting that Aunt Pat did in college, framed and on the wall. Joe took one look and said, "Hey! That's better than the Georgia O'Keefe stuff!"
On the way to Albuquerque we stopped by Roswell, and had the kids go through the Science Fair like museum there. We spent time learning about mysterious crop circles, and reported alien abductions. They both wished there were more hands on exhibits and less report reading... but nothings perfect.
Our day at the zoo and aquarium made us dreadfully homesick. We spent a good bit of time watching sad looking African animals in tiny enclosures. The kids sighed and missed Mweya and Queen Elizabeth Game Park, where the animals are wild and majestic. Even the monkeys were quiet and the gorilla looked hostile. Fortunately, there was a big old fashioned train that connected the two places, so Nate was estactic.
The clear highlight was Bandelier National Park. The kids, even the twins, climbed wooden ladders into the carved out caves in the sides of the beautiful cliffs. We sat in one for awhile imagining ourselves as early Pueblo indians, that this was our valley, our house, our life. Way cool.
Joe and I dashed in to the Georgia O'Keefe Musuem on our way out of Santa Fe. He had to go to the bathroom so I grabbed his hand and took him with me. He was the only kid, and somehow that raised a stir and caused multiple women to exclaim how enlightened he was. We went from room to room each picking our favorite painting and talking for a minute or two about what caught our eye about it. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
As we pulled into Jodie and Jack's place in Durango, we were welcomed with open arms. What a delightful time we had connecting with these dear folks! Warm beds, great food and a chance for the kids to play with others their age. It was fantastic to get a respite from the wind and cold weather and sleep in "Pat's room." Jodie has a painting that Aunt Pat did in college, framed and on the wall. Joe took one look and said, "Hey! That's better than the Georgia O'Keefe stuff!"
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