OCTOBER 2018

WOW! What an amazing October and November I've  had. It started with a rendezvous in New Mexico with friends from the East for Albuquerque Balloon Festival.  Susan and I became friends as we sailed on a Star Clipper cruise in 2016. I joined her and other female extended family members in Sante Fe for a couple of days shopping and visiting museums prior to the festival. Susan had made visiting the balloon lift off easy by scheduling us on a bus ride in and out. Pretty sure we saved a couple of hours of traffic delay as well as hours of frustration and parking woes. I highly recommend setting that up if you ever think about going. We certainly had a good, yet short visit together!

Behind me left to right:

Alice, Jeanne, Susan and Margaret

Santa Fe market.

Sunset from Drury Hotel rooftop.

Quiet time at Santa Fe Botanical Garden.

Tram to top of Sandia Mountain Range.

The fellow on rooftop rides occasionally on top to ensure all working parts are good!

ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FESTIVAL

just after dawn.

Margaret's face says it all!

Nearly 1000 balloons rise among the crowd!

Susan, Margaret, me, Jeanne and Alice at Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis Assisi in Santa Fe.

I left the girls on October 6th  and flew to Las Vegas, NV where I joined family in celebration of Desiree joining the family! My nephew, Max Baker married his sweetheart in NYC Cental Park in September but chose to have the reception at his parents home in Vegas. So nice to see friends and family at this happy occasion.

My sister, Megan and my daughter, Rachel join me hamming it up.

My sister and brother-in-laws backyard is perfect for a Vegas party! (Kay and Doug Baker)

Horseshoes!

Cousins saying farewell.

I flew back to Albuquerque the following Tuesday, retrieved Ralph (my Jeep) and drove home for a rest. 

NEXT UP: HERITAGE/BIRTHDAY TRIP