The Carved Line and Balloons

Yesterday Thomas and I decided that today we would drive down to Albuquerque to the Albuquerque Museum to see an exhibition called The Carved Line: Block Printmaking in New Mexico and to find a couple of letterboxes. This morning we left Santa Fe around 8:30am and made our way to the museum. When we arrived at the museum we headed inside, paid our entrance fee and then headed to the gallery for The Carved Line. We spent about 45 minutes enjoying the art. There were some amazing prints and we thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit. When we were done we visited a few more galleries and around 10:45am we left the museum. I went back to the car to get my letterboxing bag and then went in search of Wronghat's FENRIS box. We followed the clues and easily found the box. I took the box to a nearby bench to stamp in. After stamping in and replacing the box we walked around the museum grounds and took a few pictures of the sculptures. Then we returned my bag back to the car and then headed to Old Town to get some lunch. We ended up at Church Street Cafe. This is one of my favorite places in Albuquerque. After lunch it was time to head to the next box.

I had looked for this box a few weeks ago but had some trouble and wasn't able to find it. So I ended up emailing Astro D for some hints. Thankfully she emailed me back and her hints ending being extremely helpful. This box is a bit of a mystery - you have to find the location from a couple of sentences. I thought I had the right place but wasn't sure since I didn't find the box. But it turned out I had the right location but just look in the wrong spot. So this time I found We Came to See the Balloons by nm sun. I grabbed the box, took the box back to the car and stamped in. Then I replaced the box and we started our drive back to Santa Fe.

It was a nice day in Albuquerque. We saw a great exhibit and found two wonderful letterboxes. Thanks to Wronghat for a great box and letting me know about The Carved Line.

Dale Ball to Picacho Peak

Today I went on a hike with Agent 86. Our goal was Picacho Peak. I have to say I was worried about this hike because it has been a while since I have done it and I am not in the best shape. But I decided that somehow I would do it. I met Agent 86 at his house around 8:00am and we headed to Upper Canyon Road and parked at The Nature Conservancy's Santa Fe Canyon Preserve. We then crossed Upper Canyon Road and began our ascent up the Dale Ball Trails. It didn't take me long to figure out that this hike was going to kick my butt. So we continued along the trail (taking frequent breaks so I could catch my breath and give my legs a break) turning left at Marker 30. We then continued to climb to Marker 31 and took another left. From here we traveled through quite a few switchbacks until we arrived at Marker 34. Here we turned left again and took the final bit of trail up to Picacho Peak.

At Marker 34 I went ahead and looked for Dale Ball Trails by Agent 86 and ArnoldZiffel. For this box I had to head all the way up to the peak. While I was doing this Agent 86 was going to look for my box - Waiting on the World to Change. I got to the top and followed the clues and easily found the box. I sat on a nearby rock and stamped in. When I was done and had replaced the box I started to head back down but Agent 86 had made his way to the top. He was unable to find my box. So we rested at the top for a bit before heading back down. As we went down we looked for my box again. At first I had trouble remembering where the box was hidden. But after we went over the clues things came back to me. But still I wasn't able to find the box. Another one bites the dust! I am not sure if I will replace it or not (mainly because I am not sure I can handle the trail again) - but we will see.

So now it was time to head back down the trail to the car. This part was so much easier!!! I guess I should really try this trail again and get into shape since the views from Picacho Peak are incredible. It was a beautiful day and I was happy I was able to do the entire hike.