Here are some more of the pics I snapped while volunteering at the Bike Valet at Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Click images to view larger pic.
Category: New Mexico Sights, Sounds, etc.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2011
My dear husband, Jeff, recently decided to take up road bicycling with me so we could experience some wonderful adventures together. I have done a fair amount of bicycle riding, but I’ve never seen the balloons by bike. So…
This morning we took a nice 14 mile ride and here are a few pics:
It’s really amazing to see so many balloons in the air all at once. It still excites me after more than 15 years of seeing it and being around them. I have to say that seeing them by bike was even more incredible than I thought it would be. It’s hard to explain the glorious, peaceful, graceful beauty…just makes me happy to be alive and celebrate life.
My plan is to get more close ups of the balloons this week. Let’s all pray for continued good weather so the balloons can launch, everybody can stay safe and I can hopefully get some great pics to share.
New Mexico Sunrise and Walking Stick Bug Surprise
Beautiful blessings in plain sight. We all have *those* days where everything feels off or seems to go wrong. But, have you ever have had days when everything seemed to be a wonderful, beautiful surprise? Sometimes all we need to do is slow down, breathe and take a look around. 🙂
I was exceedingly blessed to witness a most spectacular sunrise last Thursday morning. AND I happened to have my camera with me so I was able to snap a few pics to share. Click the images to open larger images. Use your browser back button to return to this page.
Later this very same day, I found this little treasure:
Looking through a window at the underside of a Phasmida (Walking Stick Bug). It’s about 5-6 inches long not including the super long antennae.
On the outside of the window (it’s highly reflective!). Gorgeous, subtle colors. Such a treat to see this amazing creature.
Now…how about you tell me about your blessings in plain sight? 😀
Backburn Smoke Plume due to back-burn fires related to Las Conchas Fire
A smoke plume has developed north of Albuquerque due to back-burn control measures by firefighters trying to contain the Las Conchas fire near Los Alamos, NM.
Here are a few pics I snapped just down the road from where we live.
Santa Fe Century 2011 – bicycle 100 miles or more in one day
Brief summary of the Santa Fe Century: My heart said, “YES!” My knee said, “NO!” My head said, “Remember what happened the last time you didn’t listen to your body? Yes, that’s right, you tore your ACL and you were out for a year.” Knee/head/wisdom won. I quit just shy of making 40 miles. Very disappointed, but I know it was the right decision.
On the bright side, I was able to be present to watch my two riding buddies finish their first century rides–YAY for Connie & Alee!!!
It’s true that I was sad and disappointed that I had to pull out short of my goal. Clearly this outcome is a perceived failure. Yet, how much worse would I feel if I had not listened to my body and damaged my knee to the degree that it would require serious medical intervention or even surgery? Possibly being out of commission and off the bike for an entire year (like when I tore my ACL). Perhaps, taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture, the wisdom I gained weighs heavier in the success column. Afterall, I will be back on the bike and there will be more century rides to complete THIS year.
I have learned so much more about my body and myself…and about what I need to do to get stronger and prepare for next time. Why is it that I seem to learn the more from perceived failures than expected successes?