Tuesday, August 10, 2021

WHEN YOU'VE ONLY GOT 5 DAYS WITH YOUR GRANDKIDS IN NORTHERN NM

 

By

Gypsy Rhapsody

(a 1977 Airstream that is taking a nap after writing this)



What to do?...What to do when the grandkids come visit?  Maybe a better question would be…what not to do?  There is so much stuff to do in this area, it would take years to complete everything…and then new things keep popping up…and it’s always fun to repeat the old stuff.  So, with that said, here’s what Vannie and Dave came up with.

Day 1…Millett Park in Red River…rock climbing (not a scrapped knee in sight), basketball…(boys against girls, acting silly on the park stage (there was cheerleading, singing, storytelling).  After leaving the park, first stop The Candy Crate.  So much candy, but can you guess what those kids bought… fried worms.  Whose grandkids are these?  Oh well…more shopping followed…t-shirts, stuffed animals, magnets in a bag…do they REALLY need all this?






YUCK


Day 2…rafting on the Rio Grande River…Daughter, Emilie, and Vannie and Dave love New Wave Rafting Company.  Great guides, equipment, and small groups. One of the highlights was the otter sighting.  Otters are Maddie’s favorite animal…so you can imagine how excited she got.  Over-the-moon, for sure.  The raft adventure was a success…no one fell out of the boat, no one got sunburned (well, maybe a little), and everyone was still smiling at the end.   Ate lunch at the Pilar Yacht Club.  Perfect cozy little place…outside seating…good food. Back to the condo in Red River for a delightful swim in the heated pool at the Caribel Condo.


Ready for the adventure


HELP


Yacht Club


Now, that looks sooo refreshing

Day 3…Santa Fe…Meow Woof…Vannie and Dave opted to hang around Walmart while the Emilie and the kids checked out MW.  The grandparents had gone to MW several years ago with the grandkids.  Lots of flashing lights…dark corridors…unusual exhibits.  V and D could hardly stand upright after that experience, so they left it to the younger crowd.  Of course, the Emilie and the kids loved it.  Lunch at Chick-fil-A…then on to the plaza.  Lots of people, but fun to walk around…Maddie had a particular item that she was looking for…and low and behold, it was found…at the very last shop before returning. Back to the condo and some late evening fishing. Caught 6 fish and Vannie cleaned them in the dark.  Rainbow trout and French fries for dinner.  YUM!

Meow Wolf


Santa Fe Plaza

Shopping can be sooo tiring...
Dave had to take a break.


Another trout for the frying pan


Day 4… Hiked the Vista de Questa trail.  This trail is the V and D’s favorite trail.  Great views, half of it is in the cool forest, and it’s long enough…it’s about 2 miles up and 2 miles down.  Vincent whined a little on the way up the mountain, and Maddie did her share of whining on the way down the mountain…so it all evened out.  Phew!  We made a quick stop at the Questa Library.  Maddie loves that place, and seeing the new addition was a treat.


Thank goodness for this resting spot.


Lunch break


Day 5…Red River…Summer tubing, Pioneer Flyer, and Hidden Treasure Aerial Park…V and D passed on the tubing, but Vannie stepped up to the plate and did the Pioneer Flyer and the Hidden Treasure Aerial Park.  She didn’t make it to the 3rd level, but loved the zip line.  A huge clap of thunder followed by a very nearby bolt of lightning cleared the Aerial Park like rats on a sinking ship.  Emilie and Maddie were on the 3rd level.  Very scary.  Thankfully everyone was good.



The slide is very slick...FAST

That's Emilie and Maddie at the time...Yikes

Day 6…Early flight out of Albuquerque to Austin, TX.  Time for that nap!!!