Moab Utah Home of the Arches

Arches National Park was established as a monument in 1929 and gained national park status in 1971. The park preserves over 2500 natural arches of all shapes and sizes, as well as a variety of balanced rocks, fins and pinnacles. It is a 76000 acres of park that has good paved roads with many pull off and parking lots at different places. The park during the summer is very busy during the midday. The park service usually has to turn traffic away for a few hours during midday. We always went in around sun up or after 3:00 PM. Best time to catch rocks and shadows from the sun. Some amazing picture opportunities.
The following pictures will give you some idea of some of the great natural features of the park and area. We were in OWW as we drove through and hiked some of the trails.

Landscape Arche

Courthouse rock

Balance Rock

One of the most photographed arches called the "Delicate Arch".

Windows Arches

Another one of the Window Arches

As the sun bounces off of the Courthouse Rock

Tucumcari 1986 Class reunion (and flash back for JD)

Tucumcari Mountain the first thing you see when getting close to town from either direction on Hi 1-40

New High School (at least new in the last few years) In the same locating where I taught but newer building

On the 6th of August I had the honor to speak at the class reunion of the Tucumcari Rattlers in Tucumcari New Mexico. I was Director of Guidance and Track Coach for the 4 years these students were in High School (1982--1986). It was such an honor to be ask to come back to their 30 years reunion and give a small talk to them and to see all those in attendance.

I have included a few picture of not only the reunion but a few pictures around the town. When I lived there in Tucumcari the town had a population between 9000 and 10000. It now has had some major decline in population but still has a lot of pride as noted by the great school facilities it has. Also since the old highway 66 went through the heart of town it has some great vintage building, hotels etc. I have included some old pictures of some old great hotels as well as neon signs along Tucumcari Blvd where old Highway 66 run as well as some murals around town that tells the story of the history of the town and area.

JD while giving his presentation

JD with a couple colleagues while he was at Tucumcari 

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Casual view of class of 1986

Set down photo of the Rattler class of 1986

More of the New High School at Tucumcari

High School Auditorium 

 

First Baptist Church where I was Baptized

Where I lived when I was in Tucumcari on 2nd street across from Library

A great vintage hotel on the Tucumcari Blvd ( a great place to stay)

One of many Murals in and around the town depicting the historical events 

When I lived in Tucumcari I would go out of town to this certain spot and every time see Antelope. 30 years later we went out to the same area and it was still there. LOL

Another favorite spot I use to go to for a little R&R

 

In and around the city of Albuquerque New Mexico

We have been here in Albuquerque New Mexico for about a month now (July 10 to Aug 10) and have been very busy each and everyday trying to get around and see all the wonderful things Albuquerque has to offer. It is difficult to describe Albuquerque. It is both ancient and cutting edge, equal parts cool and quaint, it is an oasis in the high desert full of people with rich histories and inspiring ideas you won't find anywhere else.

Below we are offering a variety of random pictures that we have taken and want to share with you with the ideal that if you ever come here to visit it will give you some idea of the different thanks you could see or do.

View from Tram of Sandia Mt going up  from valley to the Peak

Their were 2 trams, As one goes up another one goes down. We are meeting this one

At the Peak of Sandia Mt. looking down in the valley on the city of Albuquerque

 A trip on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway transports you above deep canyons and breathtaking terrains a distance of 2.7 miles and up to 10,378 feet above the foothills of Albuquerque.  It's only a 3819 ft vertical rise. NOTE the Tram in different pictures.To the right on this picture

More pictures of Mt as we go down

As we watched  Tram coming toward us as we are descending

At the top  of Sandia Mt., Albuquerque is on the West side. This is looking East. Little rain storm in the distance

In Albuquerque most of the houses are adobe. This is just a unique house among the adobes 

Another unique house next door to the one above and below

A unique place in Old town

Passenger Trains make several trips from Albuquerque to Santa Fe every day. We took this one on Wednesday because it was free to Srs

Old Cathedral in Santa Fe

Some crazy art in Albuquerque

Albuquerque has a great Zoo

Found my brothers