12 on 12 for July 2008

Luckily, my first 12 on 12 fell at the end of a mini-vacation that we took to celebrate my husband's birthday. We went up to Chama, New Mexico, and rode the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway to Osier, then returned. This train is powered by a narrow gauge steam engine. We actually took our train trip yesterday (the 11th), but drove home today, which gave me some opportunities for some interesting scenery shots.

1) Vista del Rio Lodge, Chama, New Mexico at 7:09 a.m.

My husband was still sleeping when I got up and started writing for my other blog. I did it in the dark, so as not to wake him.

2) Vista del Rio Lodge parking lot, Chama, New Mexico at 9:45 a.m.

Our luggage is stowed in the rear of our vehicle, and we're ready to check out of the lodge.

3) Cumbres & Toltec Railroad Station, Chama, New Mexico at 10:02 a.m.

I asked my husband to dash into the train station and make a souvenir smashed penny for a friend of ours, who collects them.

4) Cumbres & Toltec Railroad Station, Chama, New Mexico at 10:02 a.m.

The train was just about to pull out of the station when we were there. The passengers were all aboard and the whistle blew.

5) ConocoPhillips gas station, Chama, New Mexico at 10:13 a.m.

We had to fill the tank before heading back home. Ugh! That was hard to swallow! More expensive than back home in Albuquerque.

6) Margarita's Comedor & Lounge, Highway 84, Tierra Amarilla, NM at 10:39 a.m.

We stopped at Margarita's for breakfast. You never know, when you stop in the middle of nowhere, how the food will be, but it was very good. This is a picture of the inside.

7) Not too far south of Tierra Amarilla, on Highway 84, at 11:37 a.m.

Just a shot of some of the scenery we drove through.

8) Echo Amphitheatre, Rio Arriba County, about 17 miles west of Abiquiu at 11:50 a.m.

"This National Forest Service facility includes a short hiking trail, a picnic area and camping site. The sandstone walls provide a resonance that is well worth the trip. A geologic display explains the various formations in the cliffs. A ten-minute walk from the parking area leads you to this 'theater' naturally hollowed out of sandstone by ages of erosion. The concave sandsone cliffs create ever lasting echos." (quoted from: http://www.digitalabiquiu.com/pages/tours/echo_t.html)

9) Espanola, New Mexico at 12:36 p.m.

I just snapped this of my husband's hand on the steering wheel, as we drove through Espanola.

10) Camel Rock, Tesuque Pueblo, New Mexico (between Espanola and Santa Fe) at 12:57 p.m.

I asked my husband to pull over so I could get a photo of Camel Rock. Do you see the camel?

11) Our family room, Albuquerque, New Mexico at 2:22 p.m.

It wasn't a long trip, but it still felt good to get home, kick off my shoes, and put my feet up for awhile.

12) Our laundry room, Albuquerque, New Mexico at 5:52 p.m.

After resting awhile, and after downloading photos from my two cameras, I unpacked and started some laundry.