So very sorry for the delay. . .

Oh, I've been so terrible in keeping this updated! Since the last update, we have done the following:
Went to Phoenix to visit friends,
went to Canyon de Chelly to be awed,
went to Farmington, NM to check out a degree program in renewable energy,
went to Chama, NM to ride the Cumbres and Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad, and
participated in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Here's a brief photo overview of those events, email me if you want to see the other hundreds of pix.





For those of you who participated in the fervent prayer for the health and well-being of the Padilla twins--here they are! Bethany and Rebekah at 14 months and doing great! (And we all survived me babysitting for two whole hours.)














Madison and Mckenna at the mall in Phoenix










Petrified Forest






Agate Bridge, which is a petrified log across a little canyon. It was supported with concrete in the early 1900's.









Canyon de Chelly





Tseyi Overlook
Navajo people still live and farm in this valley





























































Spider Rock
































White House Ruins. There is a tree growing behind the structure inside the cave and the white plaster is still on the rear wall.














Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad




The trip started in Chama, NM. We were very lucky to arrive when the aspens were a vibrant yellow. The pictures do not really show how beautiful it was. At the higher the elevation, though, the aspens were completely bare. The area had 20 inches of snow on September 22nd, about 10 days before we were there.











One of the great features of this narrow gauge railroad is the terrain it crosses as it goes from Chama, NM to Antonito, CO.
















At the halfway point, Osier, Colorado, where we changed trains.













The surroundings in Colorado are certainly very different from the mountains of northern NM










Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta


This is how the balloon fiesta starts. Actually, it's darker than this and colder than the picture can convey. Then the sun comes up and the balloon inflation begins.












This is how the balloon starts out once it's off the truck. It's laid out, the two parts are attached (gondola and envelope), cold inflation is done with a fan, the that air is heated with the burners and the balloon gets upright. When the pilot is cleared, the crew lets go of the basket and the balloon floats away.









Inside the balloon during cold inflation














Dawn Song in flight. This is one of 700 balloons participating in the event.




























Ohio Knox, owner and pilot of Dawn Song, with the chase truck















The view to the east side of Albuquerque











During my flight with Pilot Don, I was able to touch the top of this balloon. It was warm. However, this was not a good thing. They should not have been rubbing our basket with their envelope. Don was able to get us out of this mess quickly and without incident.