Detroit to Albuquerque to Santa Fe

After getting up at an hour that is earlier than any human should be awake we took care of last minute things and left for the airport before 6:00 AM. We got through security quickly discovering that the TSA people are actually rather pleasant early in the day. I guess that at that hour they have not been yelled at or had to deal with stupid people. Note to self; take wrist brace off before going through the metal detector.

Our flight to Houston arrived a half hour late despite leaving the gate five minutes early. This meant a quick sprint through the Houston airport to get to a terminal that I was not sure was even in the same county. We did make it on time, but we among the last to board the flight. Luckily Bob/Rob/Robert had printed our boarding passes and taken care of seat selection the day before.

We arrived in Albequerque when the first disaster of the trip happened. Bob/Rob/Robert when to take care of the car rental paperwork when he discovered that he did not have his drivers’ license. He knew that he had it when he went through security in Detroit and he swore that he put it back in his wallet. This meant that I had to sign all of the paperwork for the rental car and do the driving. Bob/Rob/Robert ranks me doing all of the driving and him riding somewhere between extreme dental work and dropping a bowling ball on his foot.

After we left the airport we headed for El Modelo for lunch. If you are ever in Albuquerque head here for a great meal. It is on 2nd Ave. in a light industrial area. From both the location and the cliental this was clearly not a tourist place. We both got the tamale plate, figuring that this was something that I do not make. I wish that there was a way that I could take some home with me.

A quick stop at Petroglyphs National Monument. Bob/Rob/Robert did the first hike solo. I saw the height of the trail and decided to sit this one out. Here is a picture of him at the top of the trail:















I went on the two shorter trails and must say that the pictures on the rocks were really worth the hike. Here are a few of them:





















On our way to Santa Fe Bob/Rob/Robert took off his socks and shoes to give his feet a rest. When he put his shoes back on something fell out of one. I joked that maybe it was his license. He looked down and guess what was there? Yup, his license. He waned me to pull over right then to let him drive. Keep in mind that this meant that he had that license in there for two flights a sprint through the Houston airport and three hikes. I don’t think that he would pass the “Princess and Pea” test.

I will write more on where we are staying next time.