Sequins and Sea Breezes: Albuquerque

Albuquerque

12/09/2015


Happy Wednesday! At the risk of sounding like a broken record... I spent the weekend out exploring everything (well not everything, actually not even close to everything) New Mexico had to offer with my parents. I won't make this a super wordy post but I really wanted to share some of the pictures I took over the weekend so you could see the beauty that is New Mexico. A lot of people don't really think of New Mexico as a pretty state or one that has a lot to do, in fact I was one of those people before my parents moved out there, but they don't call it the Land of Enchantment for nothing!
Like I said, I'll spare you a ton of writing and just give you the basics of what I did while I was out there and leave you with these gorgeous pictures and a little bit of info: 


Balloon Fiesta Park: The Balloon Fiesta is held every October but no matter what time of year you go you can almost always see balloons over Albuquerque. They usually go up early in the morning however you can often see them late afternoon as well. Definitely a sight to see and even if you aren't going up you can still go down there and watch them launch which is impressive!


Old Town Albuquerque: Old Town is full of  restaurants, shops and museums perfect for walking around and grabbing a bite to eat all while experiencing a bit of historic charm.You can also find the San Felipe de Neri Church, the oldest building in the city, which was built in 1793 in Old Town.


Ski Santa Fe: There are numerous ski resorts in New Mexico (such as Taos, Angel Fire and even one in Albuquerque; Sandia Peak) but my parents took me up to one of their regular places, Ski Santa Fe. While I was there Ski Santa Fe had about a 40" base of snow and was sunny and in the 50's. Perfect skiing weather! The base elevation is 10,350 feet with 79 different runs ranging from easy to black diamond.


Bandelier National Monument: This is a 33k acre National Monument preserving the homes and territory of the Ancestral Puebloans. There are over 70 miles of hiking trails that take you around the property as well as to some cave dwellings that are dated to over 10,000 years old. I only got to scratch the surface of this amazing park but I definitely plan on bringing my hiking shoes next time I'm out there and exploring this area further!


Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument: First, I want to give a huge shout out to my dad (who doesn't read my blog but deserves a shout out anyway) for getting me to this park. We went to Bandelier first not realizing that even though Bandelier and Tent Rocks were only 13 miles apart on a map, that you actually have to drive 72 miles to get from one park to the other. I didn't get to explore Tent Rocks as much as I would have liked but thanks to my dad's determination to get me there I at least got to do the 1 mile trail and it was amazing. My pictures don't even come close to showing just how interesting this place is but basically these rocks were formed by layers of rock and ash deposited by a pyroclastic flow from a volcanic explosion that occurred 6-7 million years ago. The "peaks" vary in height from a few feet to 90 feet and all taper into a point at the top looking like a tent. One of the crazy things is a lot of these points have giant boulders sitting on them, looking precariously like they're going to tumble over at any minute. In addition to the rock formations the area holds a slot canyon that looks similar to Antelope Canyon (if you've never seen it, look it up! It's on my bucket list for sure!) 

*Linking up with Kerri, Kate and Emily for Wanderlust Wednesday*


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37 comments

  1. WOW, Albuquerque is gorgeous. We have friends that moved out to NM which we hope to visit soon, so maybe I'll get to see some of it's beauty. Your dad sounds like a rockstar, what a great guy.

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  2. It looks like a beautiful place with all kinds of stuff to offer! So glad that the trip was a blast, and that you were able to see and experience the park at least a little bit, if not for as long as you'd have liked. Just an excuse to go back! :)

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  3. The pictures you took were incredible! I dont think I ever thought of NM as a place Id like to visit but you changed my mind! It has a little bit of everything for everyone! xo, Biana

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  4. Santa Fe is just an amazing place to visit both in the summer and winter!! Gorgeous photos!!

    pinkandnavystripes.com

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  5. I have never been but your pictures and ideas look gorgeous!

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  6. I've always wanted to hot air balloon but I'm terrified of heights! Everything looks so fun and the scenery itself is just so pretty!

    www.rosyoutlookblog.com

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  7. These pictures are stunning! You definitely had a fabulous trip, such a pretty place to visit! And I can't get over those hot air balloon pictures - beautiful <3

    Green Fashionista

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  8. ah these photos are great! i didn't realize all that NM has to offer and maybe i kinda want to visit now! i love the west for all the mountains and national parks. ah i miss it. great picks for stuff to do!

    xoxo cheshire kat

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  9. This is so gorgeous! I would love to go there! And I desperately want to go on a hot air balloon ride!

    Zelle
    Southern Style

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  10. These pictures are insane! I would never of thought about New Mexico as a destination but now I'm changing my mind! 40" base is pretty serious considering its early in the year, looks like such a fun trip!

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  11. SO beautiful! I'm one of those people that never thought twice about New Mexico- you've changed my mind!

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  12. Wow seriously gorgeous! I didn't realize New Mexico had such pretty mountains and landscape! Glad you got to see snow too! So fun!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

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  13. New Mexico is gorgeous!! Hot Air Balloon ride sounds like so much fun.

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  14. Albuquerque looks absolutely gorgeous!! I've never been to New Mexico but I'll definitely have to make it out there someday!

    http://thecourtneydiaries.com

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  15. Gorgeous photos! My brother is doing an internship in Albuquerque next summer & it looks like I should probably pay him a visit! Old Town looks super cute too!

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  16. so fun! i need to book a trip soon. xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  17. It looks beautiful! I would love to visit Balloon Fiesta Park and stroll through Old Town Albuquerque to window shop and grab lunch. Those views are also amazing and lucky you got to see snow!

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  18. I love learning more about cities that I've never been! The Sante Fe Ski sounds amazing since I come from so not a cold weather state! Old Town looks gorgeous too! SO many great choices!
    Linds @ Not A Mom

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  19. New Mexico is definitely a place I want to go! It's gorgeous and there is so much there to see!

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  20. Ohhhh Old Town Albuquerque sounds like my kind of scene!!! And is it bad that I didn't know there was skiing in New Mexico? Like I thought it was a hot place like Arizona or something? Clearly mistaken!

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  21. I love New Mexico-we used to go to Ruidoso and Santa Fe a lot as kids! The scenery is so gorgeous!

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  22. So beautiful!! I've never been to New Mexico, but my uncle moved out there like 15 years ago (and never came back, ha!) so I'd love to visit one day!

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  23. Seeing the Balloon Festival looks so amazing, and I'm hoping that we'll be able to make it out there next year! I didn't realize that the balloons actually went up year round, so we'd still be able to see them no matter what time of the year. All of those National Parks look so amazing and beautiful!

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  24. Everything looks so gorgeous! I'll have to add this too my travel must list :)

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  25. New Mexico looks beautiful! It’s definitely on my travel list!

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  26. you are making me want to go there! i haven't been in YEARS and it was summer. i think a fall or winter trip might be more up my alley. love the pics

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  27. New Mexico is so unique. I went to Santa Fe a few years ago with some friends and we stopped at Bandelier too! So pretty!

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  28. Old Town Albuquerque is my favorite thing that you did - it seems like the cutest little spot! Also such fun that you go to ski since that's not a Florida activity!

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  29. It is so beautiful there! I got to to go to Sante Fe, NM once for work and it was SUCH a cool town. I wasn't there for long so I didn't really get a chance to explore but I definitely want to go back!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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  30. Such a lovely blog and post! The scenery here looks stunning! :D xx

    elizabeth | ”Ice Cream” whispers Clara | follow for follow on bloglovin or instagram :D

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  31. Love these photos! My mom went out to NM this summer to visit relatives and I couldn't get over her pictures, either! :)

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  32. I had no idea how beautiful it is there... there's a wide range of things to see it seems like!

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  33. Oh, these photos are so so gorgeous! I hope to visit Mexico soon, so thanks for sharing!

    Check out my blog if you want: www.theglamandglitter.com

    Tamara xxx

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  35. New Mexico is a place that has always intrigued me. These photos have me even more interested in taking a trip out there. Great wrap up! xo

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