'They say' that "You can never go home again.". That was proven quite true when Mike & Brad visited Mike's home town, New Bedford, MA, several years ago. However, Albuquerque is a place in which Mike is surrounded by people who are his background, which is Southern European. New town, same type of people.
July 12, 2001: visited the Albuquerque Aquarium & Botanical Gardens (which are across the street from our apartment).
That same day, used SunTran for the first time. Journeyed down Central Ave to Eubank.
July 12, 2001: visited the Albuquerque Aquarium & Botanical Gardens (which are across the street from our apartment).
That same day, used SunTran for the first time. Journeyed down Central Ave to Eubank.
Waited for bus to take us north; after waiting a few minutes, decided to walk to the Owl Cafe (and never saw a bus going in our direction). Our path took us over I-40. The restaurant has a terra cotta owl's head on the top of the roof. Had lunch (great burgers & onion rings!), continued our walk to determine where the Bejing Palace was (and if it still existed [it did, and has wonderful dim sum on Sat. & Sun.!]), then continued to Menaul and the comic book store. Waited in the hot sun (the temperature was close to 100 degrees but fortunately the air was very dry) for the Eubank bus to return us to Central. Eventually it came, and got us to our transfer point at Central. The wait for Route 66 is shorter (10 minutes as compared to 20 or longer!). Note: you can drink on the bus if the bottle or cup is capped.
July 13, 2001: Mike W. took a bus alone to another comic book store on 2116 Central SE (University Comics) near UNM. July 18, 2001: Mike W. travelled alone again to 9617 Menaul NE, then returned home by using the Menaul, Montgomery/Carlisle & Central routes. August 9, 2001: Mike W. walked from the comic book store to Coronado Shopping Center. The Lomas bus shortens the walk up Eubank to Menaul.
On a regular basis, a flock of Canadian geese fly past the complex. When not in the sky, they can be found with ducks gathering at the arroyo near the golf course at Tingley Beach. Often a hummingbird can be seen at either the front or back porches. And we have seen a male peacock walking on the roof next to our apartment. On the flip side, there are very few bugs, flying or otherwise. Once in a while a wasp can be seen on the bigger porch; sometimes a moth ventures inside and is killed almost immediately.
The kitchen screen door is opened to let Captain enjoy the sunlight, and roll on the concrete.
Recently he has spent more time outside during various parts of the day, climbing up & down the stairs. These stairs link the upper & lower levels, no other tenant has access to this area. He has attacked many empty nests, tearing them apart with enormous gusto. Captain is trying to find a chick and attack it by flinging in his prey the air. That is a cat's natural instinct! We have designated this site his "private backyard". He can play in it any time of the year. During the day, the door stays open since there are few bugs, as mentioned before. The stairs provide him excercise. At the lower level is the gym room. When in the gym itself, Captain will paw against the window in the door, similar to his 'scratching' on the plexi-glass in the stairway. He enjoys accessing his playground from either entry. As the weather gets cooler, he spends more time sleeping with Mike W. & Brad, but is always ready for his early morning food!
Brad & Mike W. also discovered "Sunday busing". We decided to go to Lowe's in the upper northeast area. We plotted our bus route, knowing we would have to walk "some distance". That distance became longer when the bus driver stopped at Osuna & Jefferson and said, "Last Stop.". So we walked near, under and beside the interstate (I-25) going north, then above it and a different street on the return journey, which had more shade. Luckilly the items purchased at Lowe's were to be delivered on July 23, which they were. All in all, it was a long walk but a great way to get a great tan! But, never will we use the San Mateo route. At the corner of Central, the bus drops you off, and the street people appear in quantity. We both like to help the needy, but enough is enough!
A Sun Tran secret: wait at the corner of any major intersection and take the first bus that arrives. If a southbound bus appears first, take it to Central AVE & transfer there. If the westbound bus arrives first, take it to downtown & then transfer to a Central AVE bus.
One of the things I have enjoyed since arriving here is the natural scenery. I am thoroughly amazed at the landscape, the sky, the distance one can see. The cloud formations are incredible. The colors of the sky range from normal blue to the storm threatening gray & purple to the brilliant reds, oranges and magentas of sunrise & sunset. The fact that I am a neighbor to a 10,000+ foot mountain is wild! Just wild! The terrain has its own color combinations, that belong to it; they differ from those associated with the atmosphere, or that of the water. Some hues may appear the same, but each part of nature maintains its "color codes" to clash or contrast with its compatriot. It is amazing that a cloudy day can catch my attention as much as a bright, sunny afternoon. An approaching thunderstorm has a beauty of its own.
During the Labor Day weekend, we traveled through various parts of the state. We began
with the eastern area to Cline's Corner, then headed south to Roswell. There is a restaurant, the "Crashdown Diner", like in the TV series, and a UFO museum. Along the way is Artesia, and the end of our journey was White's City. This insignificant town has the closest motels to Carlsbad Caverns and that's it. We were a half hour late for the last self-guided tour through the natural entrance. We instead walked through the 'Big Room' during the afternoon.
Before sunset we journeyed back to see the bats emerge. There had been signs of bad weather, so the guide indicated that if there were a storm we would have to leave the ampitheater. Well, there was a rainbow and rumbles of thunder. What followed was many, many bats emerging for their nocturnal banquet. We met a couple from Witchita Falls, TX who helped us pass the time before sunset. Upon returning to our hotel room, we discovered that the electronic hotel keys did not work. We went back to the front desk, were told not to place them near change or credit cards, and one of them still refused to do anything, even though it was placed on a car seat in front of Mike's crotch. The next morning's breakfast was a joke; pre-processed food served with a lousy attitude. The only redeeming factor was that it was included in the hotel cost. The walk through the natural entrance was just as enjoyable as that first time 15 years ago. When we left, we searched & found the laundromat that we used in 1986 before continuing on our travels.
At this time, I would like to point out some of the attributes of where we live, apartment 314 at the Beach. While this may seem trivial and commonplace, remember that we lived in a house built prior to World War 2!
1. doors on all rooms & closets
2. doors that shut
3. A/C thermostats on each level
4. toilets that flush and refill quickly
5. hot, hot water
6. sinks that drain quickly
7. a double sink in the kitchen
8. a roof that does not leak
9. no leaky basement due to heavy rains
10. receptacles everywhere; all functioning
11. terra cotta floors that are easy to clean
12. comfortable carpet, also easy to vacuum
13. insulated windows that completely open
14. a porch (actually 2 porches)
15. space under bathroom sinks
16. a tub that drains quickly
17. shelving space built into the apartment
18. a pantry
19. a doorbell that works
20. smoke detectors & fire extinguishers
21. a washer with outflow hose properly connected
22. a strong flow of water at any temperature
23. a working garbage disposal
24. lots of closet space
25. a foyer
26. you can't lock yourself out of the apartment
27. a plexiglass 'window' on the stairway
28. a counter between the kitchen & living area
29. no cracks in the walls or ceilings
30. taking a shower can warm the bedroom on cold mornings by closing the windows & the bedroom door
31. insulated windows
32. toilets that do not slowly leak at their bases
33. protection at the front door from the elements; no stairs, railings or screen door, thus avoiding acrobatic maneuvers to enter the apartment
34. stairs that go straight up from the first to the second floor without twists or bends
35. the ability for two people to work comfortably in the kitchen
36. a dishwasher that works
Life will always be strange: during unemployment we had an indemnity plan for COBRA coverage through BCBS. What we found out when scheduling a chiropractor's was that the visits had to be precertified prior to approval. The doctor, who was on their preferred provider list, had to indicate how many visits would be necessary. How, when the doctor had never seen us? Well, between calls to BC (in DC) & the DC (in ABQ) we got the OK to get treatment ASAP on 9/25/01. My, we felt better (or should I say, AOK!).
July 13, 2001: Mike W. took a bus alone to another comic book store on 2116 Central SE (University Comics) near UNM. July 18, 2001: Mike W. travelled alone again to 9617 Menaul NE, then returned home by using the Menaul, Montgomery/Carlisle & Central routes. August 9, 2001: Mike W. walked from the comic book store to Coronado Shopping Center. The Lomas bus shortens the walk up Eubank to Menaul.
On a regular basis, a flock of Canadian geese fly past the complex. When not in the sky, they can be found with ducks gathering at the arroyo near the golf course at Tingley Beach. Often a hummingbird can be seen at either the front or back porches. And we have seen a male peacock walking on the roof next to our apartment. On the flip side, there are very few bugs, flying or otherwise. Once in a while a wasp can be seen on the bigger porch; sometimes a moth ventures inside and is killed almost immediately.
The kitchen screen door is opened to let Captain enjoy the sunlight, and roll on the concrete.
Recently he has spent more time outside during various parts of the day, climbing up & down the stairs. These stairs link the upper & lower levels, no other tenant has access to this area. He has attacked many empty nests, tearing them apart with enormous gusto. Captain is trying to find a chick and attack it by flinging in his prey the air. That is a cat's natural instinct! We have designated this site his "private backyard". He can play in it any time of the year. During the day, the door stays open since there are few bugs, as mentioned before. The stairs provide him excercise. At the lower level is the gym room. When in the gym itself, Captain will paw against the window in the door, similar to his 'scratching' on the plexi-glass in the stairway. He enjoys accessing his playground from either entry. As the weather gets cooler, he spends more time sleeping with Mike W. & Brad, but is always ready for his early morning food!
Brad & Mike W. also discovered "Sunday busing". We decided to go to Lowe's in the upper northeast area. We plotted our bus route, knowing we would have to walk "some distance". That distance became longer when the bus driver stopped at Osuna & Jefferson and said, "Last Stop.". So we walked near, under and beside the interstate (I-25) going north, then above it and a different street on the return journey, which had more shade. Luckilly the items purchased at Lowe's were to be delivered on July 23, which they were. All in all, it was a long walk but a great way to get a great tan! But, never will we use the San Mateo route. At the corner of Central, the bus drops you off, and the street people appear in quantity. We both like to help the needy, but enough is enough!
A Sun Tran secret: wait at the corner of any major intersection and take the first bus that arrives. If a southbound bus appears first, take it to Central AVE & transfer there. If the westbound bus arrives first, take it to downtown & then transfer to a Central AVE bus.
One of the things I have enjoyed since arriving here is the natural scenery. I am thoroughly amazed at the landscape, the sky, the distance one can see. The cloud formations are incredible. The colors of the sky range from normal blue to the storm threatening gray & purple to the brilliant reds, oranges and magentas of sunrise & sunset. The fact that I am a neighbor to a 10,000+ foot mountain is wild! Just wild! The terrain has its own color combinations, that belong to it; they differ from those associated with the atmosphere, or that of the water. Some hues may appear the same, but each part of nature maintains its "color codes" to clash or contrast with its compatriot. It is amazing that a cloudy day can catch my attention as much as a bright, sunny afternoon. An approaching thunderstorm has a beauty of its own.
During the Labor Day weekend, we traveled through various parts of the state. We began
with the eastern area to Cline's Corner, then headed south to Roswell. There is a restaurant, the "Crashdown Diner", like in the TV series, and a UFO museum. Along the way is Artesia, and the end of our journey was White's City. This insignificant town has the closest motels to Carlsbad Caverns and that's it. We were a half hour late for the last self-guided tour through the natural entrance. We instead walked through the 'Big Room' during the afternoon.Before sunset we journeyed back to see the bats emerge. There had been signs of bad weather, so the guide indicated that if there were a storm we would have to leave the ampitheater. Well, there was a rainbow and rumbles of thunder. What followed was many, many bats emerging for their nocturnal banquet. We met a couple from Witchita Falls, TX who helped us pass the time before sunset. Upon returning to our hotel room, we discovered that the electronic hotel keys did not work. We went back to the front desk, were told not to place them near change or credit cards, and one of them still refused to do anything, even though it was placed on a car seat in front of Mike's crotch. The next morning's breakfast was a joke; pre-processed food served with a lousy attitude. The only redeeming factor was that it was included in the hotel cost. The walk through the natural entrance was just as enjoyable as that first time 15 years ago. When we left, we searched & found the laundromat that we used in 1986 before continuing on our travels.
At this time, I would like to point out some of the attributes of where we live, apartment 314 at the Beach. While this may seem trivial and commonplace, remember that we lived in a house built prior to World War 2!
1. doors on all rooms & closets
2. doors that shut
3. A/C thermostats on each level
4. toilets that flush and refill quickly
5. hot, hot water
6. sinks that drain quickly
7. a double sink in the kitchen
8. a roof that does not leak
9. no leaky basement due to heavy rains
10. receptacles everywhere; all functioning
11. terra cotta floors that are easy to clean
12. comfortable carpet, also easy to vacuum
13. insulated windows that completely open
14. a porch (actually 2 porches)
15. space under bathroom sinks
16. a tub that drains quickly
17. shelving space built into the apartment
18. a pantry
19. a doorbell that works
20. smoke detectors & fire extinguishers
21. a washer with outflow hose properly connected
22. a strong flow of water at any temperature
23. a working garbage disposal
24. lots of closet space
25. a foyer
26. you can't lock yourself out of the apartment
27. a plexiglass 'window' on the stairway
28. a counter between the kitchen & living area
29. no cracks in the walls or ceilings
30. taking a shower can warm the bedroom on cold mornings by closing the windows & the bedroom door
31. insulated windows
32. toilets that do not slowly leak at their bases
33. protection at the front door from the elements; no stairs, railings or screen door, thus avoiding acrobatic maneuvers to enter the apartment
34. stairs that go straight up from the first to the second floor without twists or bends
35. the ability for two people to work comfortably in the kitchen
36. a dishwasher that works
Life will always be strange: during unemployment we had an indemnity plan for COBRA coverage through BCBS. What we found out when scheduling a chiropractor's was that the visits had to be precertified prior to approval. The doctor, who was on their preferred provider list, had to indicate how many visits would be necessary. How, when the doctor had never seen us? Well, between calls to BC (in DC) & the DC (in ABQ) we got the OK to get treatment ASAP on 9/25/01. My, we felt better (or should I say, AOK!).
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