By the Time I Get to Phoenix...uh, Make That Tucson

Well. It is time. I'm leaving ABQ for the desert. In search of warmer weather and a milder winter climate, I'm driving southwest to Tucson. I'm leaving this morning, Sunday, October 28.

I arrived in ABQ on Thursday, August 16. The 74 days I've been here have been great. I have very few complaints. The weather was perfect, the Sandia Resort was terrific, and the people in ABQ are generally very friendly. I've worked a little, played a lot, and seen the sights. The International Balloon Fiesta is a must-attend for any traveler, and the overnight trip to Santa Fe was the best way to wrap up my visit to north central New Mexico.

But now it's time to move on. The road is calling me to join her once again.

I'm first driving south to Socorro on I-25. From there I'll take state Hwy. 60 west to Hwy. 12. Hwy. 12 heads southerly to Reserve, New Mexico. Then I'll take Hwy. 180 south to Silver City. From Silver City, it's an easy drive west on I-10 to Tucson. This route will take me through various mountain ranges and beautiful scenery as I head my way south. I'm in no real hurry, so why not take the time to see the sights of southwestern New Mexico? To track my journey, visit the links to GoogleMaps (located in the left margin). So far, I've created three maps for the three "legs" of my trip.

I'll be writing a bit more about Santa Fe and posting some more photos over the next few days. Plus, I'll be posting my favorite photos on my photography blog at Photographium. I took some wonderful pictures in Santa Fe and want to share them. So check back here and Photographium. Notice I've added a new section to my blog for slideshows under the heading "Photo Albums."

Sandia National Labs to Close the Book on Books

The Sandia National Laboratories Technical Library is having a minor crisis, and it’s not alone. All across the world, research and technical libraries are closing the books on real books.

With the Internet and technological innovation leading the way, libraries are turning their backs on books, tossing them aside for digital versions that are accessible online. The Sandia National Laboratories Technical Library announced this month that they are placing the content of their library entirely online, and closing the door on the thousands of volumes of real books housed in their library.

Researchers at the Lab are understandably upset. While they are using their desktops to supplement their research, many of the technicians like browsing the library shelves for resources and enjoy studying an actual text. Some of them hate the idea of not having access to a traditional “brick and mortar” library with hardcover books.

Much of the ballyhoo is a response to the Library Without Walls Project, which is an international movement to place research and technical materials online for easy access from researchers around the world. The basic idea seems to be, “Let’s put all of the content of our books and journals online so we can easily access them at home, or at our labs and offices, from anywhere in the world.”

This all sounds great and is inevitable. But here’s the rub: what happens to books and traditional libraries? Will the local library, college library, all libraries everywhere eventually close their doors? Is there any value in holding a real book in your hands? Do we need to spend millions of dollars storing hardcover books when we can digitize content and make it available to anyone anywhere?

I’m reminded of two television shows, both from the area of science fiction, that deal with this issue. Interestingly, both of these television shows occurred in the 1960s, when the Internet and desktop computers were infants in imagination and practice.

The first episode I recall first aired in late 1959, was from the series Twilight Zone and titled “Time Enough at Last”, and starred Burgess Meredith as a bank teller with poor eyesight. Mr. Henry Bemis wore these incredibly thick glasses. He loved books. He cared for them like children. And when an atomic bomb blast destroyed his city, he wept over the destruction of his beloved library. But the books survived. He carefully stacked them on the front steps of the library, which was a heap of crushed stone. He’s was thrilled to still have his books, with all the time in the world to read them. Then, tragically, at the end of the episode, he breaks his glasses. He’s now faced with a future surrounded by his beloved books, but he can’t read them. The last scene of him holding his books abreast in one hand, and his broken spectacles in the other, will always stay with me.

But I a love books.

The second episode comes from Star Trek. Titled “Court Martial” and first broadcast in 1967, the episode deals directly with the issue: the value of real books and human interaction versus the technological and digitization of content on computers. Captain Kirk is accused of a crime that ends in the death of a colleague, with evidence primarily being digital content on a computer. His attorney (played by Elisha Cook, Jr.), an old salt who loves books and hates technology, fights to save Kirk in court. His speech before the judge speaks directly to us: computers can lie. He passionately argues before the judge that computers and technology are destroying the reality of a world that was once real, a world with physical and emotional bonds that connect us as human beings. Computers are nothing more than circuit boards, chips, mechanical devices, bits and bytes of information that are not real, they are imitations of reality. The episode ends, naturally, with Captain Kirk acquitted after his pal Spock discovers the computer was intentionally reformatted and unreliable, and the person who supposedly died was in fact still alive and was behind the whole frame job. I’ll always remember the passionate speech of Kirk’s attorney (badly overacted I’ll admit), and the picture of him holding a stack of books in his hand as he delivered it.

So, the issue comes down to this: is there any value in a real book, a book with pages that you touch, smell, turn, spill coffee on, crease, bookmark. When I sit out by the pool, or snuggle up near a fireplace, or slumber in bed at night, or sit at Starbucks drinking a latte, and want to read a good book, I don’t want to read a computer screen.

But I’m a lover of books.

I will always prefer holding print and ink in my hands. I will never give up the hope that books will remain, real books. And God help us the day that libraries around the world become a thing of the past, heaps of broken stone, remnants not of an atomic bomb, but of man’s foolishness.

"Like most of the others, I was a seeker, a mover, a malcontent, and at times a stupid hell-raiser. I was never idle long enough to do much thinking, but I felt somehow that my instincts were right. I shared a vagrant optimism that some of us were making real progress, that we had taken an honest road, and that the best of us would inevitably make it over the top.

.

At the same time, I shared a dark suspicion that the life we were leading was a lost cause, that we were all actors, kidding ourselves along a senseless odyssey. It was the tension between these two poles--a restless idealism on one hand and a sense of impending doom on the other--that kept me going."

"The Rum Diary", Hunter S. Thompson, 1959.

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I saw this sign yesterday and had to take a shot of it.

Husband to his wife: "Honey, breakfast in bed is so cliche'. How about breakfast in the pool?"

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The Borders Bookstore on Wyoming is next door to the Whole Foods Market, and I've spent plenty of days at both places. The photo below is taken from my favorite chair near the front windows.



Here I am trying to look like I'm working. See the Dallas Cowboys decal on my laptop? I won the decal at the Sandia Resort in a drawing. A local radio station was giving away prizes during a Cowboys football game. That decal, retail $19.95, is about the only thing I've won at the Sandia Casino!

Where will I go next? I'm thinking seriously about heading south to Socorro, then take the scenic Hwy. 60 through the Tularosa Mountains on my way to Silver City in the southwestern part of New Mexico. From there it's a short drive to Tucson, Arizona. I can make the drive in one day, unless I decide to stop and visit some tourist attractions along the way. The Gila Cliff Dwellings might be a nice place to see, located in the Gila Wilderness Area north of Silver City.

I've made my decision to head south and west in a few days. I'll give my notice to my boss today, and will work through next week. I'll target Sunday, October 28, as the launch date for the next leg of my Fall Adventure (the Fall Adventure is quickly becoming a Winter Adventure!).

I've been receiving emails regularly from investors both in Dallas and Las Vegas, making me anxious to get to Nevada. However, I'm in no hurry. We'll see where The Road takes me. It may be early Spring before I arrive in Henderson, Nevada. I'm enjoying traveling my way across the Southwest. I'm looking to spend the Winter in the warmest climate I can find. It appears that southern Arizona and California are nice during the Winter months.

Balloon Fiesta, 2007, Albuquerque

As I continue my travel across the Southwest, Albuquerque has been a nice stop over for me. I recently took some photos with a new Nikon digital camera the size of a credit card. I'm wanting to push the limits of this low cost 7 pixel camera, and will post some results here as I go along.

Below are a few shots from the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque.

Isleta Casino and The Patio

I visited the Iselta Casino last night. It's located about 10 miles south of Albuquerque on Exit 215 from Interstate 25. I didn't see the casino from the I-25, but once I took the exit and rounded a curve to the southeast the casino appeared in the distance. Alone in the desert, the Isleta Tribal Council has created this place and I'm not sure I'll ever be back.

For one thing, there's nothing else to do within miles of the place. They are building a huge resort motel next to the current facilities, but I could see no other development of any kind in the area: no homes, no shopping malls, nothing. I admit I didn't look around much, but from the looks of things this casino is like the Route 66 Casino west of town: all alone on the reservation and miles from the nearest grocery store. Albuquerque is not far, maybe ten minutes north on I-25, however.

The second reason I was not impressed by the Isleta Casino is the poker room. Since poker is about all that I play at a casino, a poker room must be a good one. Unfortunately the poker room at the Isleta is very small. I counted eight tables packed inside a space the size of double-car garage. I visited the place on a Saturday night and there were only two tables active with players. At the Sandia Resort, as a comparison, on a Saturday night there are maybe 18-20 tables full of players with a waiting list.

After leaving the Isleta I drove back to the Sandia and spent the evening watching high-stakes blackjack players. I awaited the eight 0'clock drawing for the Fall Cash Giveaway, but alas was not selected to take home the $7,000 pot.

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She cuts my hair, so I have to mention her. I write of her because she represents the many kind people I have met while on the road. She works hard, has a funny disposition, and obviously loves people. I first noticed her at Starbucks, on The Patio. I was a new arrival in town and was sitting on The Patio and noticed she came there for breaks from work. Her hair salon is located next door. Every day for a week I saw her. I finally met her and had her give me a haircut. Often here family will drop by and visit with her. They are typical of the working class of Albuquerque, living from payday to payday, lucky to get a day off and maybe a break during the work day.

This composite picture of life at the Starbucks patio also contains images of weathly retired people who frequent the place to talk shop and read their newspaper. They've made money in real estate, the hi-tech industry that flourishes here, or any number of the federally-related scientific and military businesses for which Albuquerque is known. Along with the lady who cuts my hair, I've met movie producers, real estate developers, consultants, stock brokers, scientists, artists and authors on The Patio.

They all ask me, of course, what I do for living. I tell them, "I'm doing it. I sit at Starbucks all day and visit with people."

One particular man I see almost every day, I have not met. He's a consultant for people looking for professional jobs. He meets his clients on The Patio. They discuss resumes, job interviews, and all kinds of issues related to job-seeking. He's written a book that he provides them, has regular meetings with them individually and in groups, and has periodic conferences related to helping others find high-paying professional work.

How do I know all of this? By listening closely. I sit near by and listen in. I've learned a great deal from him and he has no idea I'm one of his "clients." He's a busy man. I've seen him meet as many as four days in a row with four different clients. Most of his clients are middle to late aged, and are concerned about competing in the professional job market against younger men and women. He often tells them, "looking for a good job is a full-time job in itself." A person must put in the time and effort to find the job they desire. I can feel the empathy he has for them, and I can understand their frustration. Many of his clients have been forced out of their high-paying careers for numerous reasons, and now find they have to hit the job-seeking market.

One afternoon, this consultant finished couseling a man who was obviously in anguish over his situation. I could tell by observation that this particular client was in emotional trouble and the consultant did his best to keep him focused on his future. It was evidently a rough meeting.

After his client left, the consultant looked tired, took a sip of his coffee, then received a phone call:

"Yes, dear. I'm coming home. Do you need anything?"

"Some soup? Do you like that chicken noodle?"

"Okay. I'll run by the store on the way home. I love you."

My Life in ABQ, Cowboy Football, and Other Stuff

I thought I would post some photos and give you a sense of what I've been doing and where I've been hanging out since I've been in ABQ.

The photo above is of the Wilderness in High Desert, a residential community and park area just minutes from the Sandia Resort. Homes are located at the foot of the Sandia Mountains, costing a bundle of cash.

When I look at this photo taken of me at Starbucks, I have to admit I looked pretty relaxed. It's been a fun trip so far. I'm trying hard to alleviate any stress in my life. My routine is to walk next door and buy a butter croissant and yogurt at the Smith's Grocery, then come back to Starbucks for breakfast. You'll notice two cups on my table next to my yogurt: coffee and orange juice I get free at the Sandia Resort. Why buy an overpriced cup of coffee at Starbucks when I can get it for free?

One of the many Starbucks in ABQ is this one located next door to the UPS Store where I work (see photo below). I'm here almost every morning and before work. The patio at the right is perfect in the mornings and evenings for reading, writing, or just visiting with locals who gather there.

The UPS Store above has been good to me while here. The employees and owner are all very nice and easy to work with. It's also not a bad part time job for someone traveling around the country. There are over 4,000 UPS Stores nationwide. I did some checking and found 55 UPS Stores within a 10 mile radius of Las Vegas! ABQ has about nine stores.

For lunch, I'll often eat at the Whole Foods Market on Wyoming Blvd. One reason is this view from the patio. I took the photo above while eating lunch there yesterday. I usually buy one of the great soups from the deli inside the store. Of course, the green chili and cheddar cheese bread they make is awesome, too.
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How about them Cowboys? I just read the USA Today’s front page today, and the “Battle of the Unbeatens” is starting to heat up. I can’t wait! Go Cowboys!

I watched the Romo Rally at the Tlur P’a Lounge at the Sandia Resort last Monday night. About 75 of us gathered in front of a big screen to shout for our team, fans from all over the country were represented. I invited two elderly gentlemen from New York to join me at my table, since seating was limited. They were big fans of football and we had a great time. When the Cowboys made the touchdown, we stood and cheered and gave each other high-fives. When the miracle onside kick occurred, we stood and cheered and gave each other high-fives, again. When the subsequent two field goals were made the entire crowd went crazy and everyone was cheering so loud you could no longer hear the slot machines just a few feet away. What a night!

I’ve watched five Cowboys games while here in ABQ. I’ve watched three games at the Tlur P’a Lounge (yes, the name is spelled correctly… Pueblo Indians have a since of humor when it comes to names). I watched the opening game of the season at Sneakerz (yes, the “z” is correct…sports bar owners have a sense of humor, too). And I actually watched one game at two different locations, from two sports bars located next to each other. I began the game at Twin Peaks (a new sports-themed restaurant) and left at half-time to finish the game at the Fox and Hound Sports Bar. Therefore, to summarize, I’ve watched five Cowboys games at four different locations.

Which of the above mentioned locations is my favorite? It would have to be the Fox and Hound. That’s where I will be this Sunday at 2:15 p.m. to watch the “Battle of the Unbeatens.”

The Balloon Fiesta of 2007 comes to a close on Sunday. Each night the fireworks display has been amazing to watch from high atop the plateau that overlooks the valley where the activities take place. The Sandia Resort parking lot is a favorite local spot to watch the events.

Albuquerque is actually in a valley, with the Sandia Mountain range to the east and gently rolling hills and mesa lands stretching to the west. To the north you can just get a glimpse of the imposing southern end of the Rockies that touch Santa Fe. The Resort is located near the foot the Sandia Mountains, elevated enough to look down on a valley that makes up northern Albuquerque. This makes the resort a perfect place to view the Balloon Fiesta.

I’ve now been working part time at a UPS retail store in a shopping strip for about six weeks. It’s been fun to meet some locals and get a feel for the community. I’ve met evangelistic ministers, factory owners, small business owners, retail store managers, real estate agents, authors, retirees, and all sorts of high school kids who skate by on their boards from the La Cueva High School next door to the shopping center.

I've enjoyed my stay in ABQ, however, the call of the road is getting louder each day. I’m beginning to feel like it’s time to hit the highway once again and head west. My intention all along was to stay in Albuquerque through the month of October and then decide when and where to go next. It appears that at the end of the month I may once again pack up and move on west for the Winter. I may even decide to spend the Winter in southern Arizona and California before making my way to Las Vegas in the early Spring. We’ll just have to see how the wind blows.

Balloon Fiesta 2007 Photo Shoot

This shot was taken from the amphitheater at the Sandia Resort. The amphitheater hosts outdoor concerts. I attended the Moody Blues concert a few weeks ago. Some of the balloons on this morning actually landed on the resort golf course.

The two photos above were taken across from the western Sandia Resort parking lot. This balloon developed a small hole and slowly sank to the ground. The chase-crew was quickly on hand to pack up the balloon and place it in the trailer. Ballooning is a dangerous sport. Luckily no one was hurt. I was driving out of the parking garage on my way to Starbucks when I saw the "crash."

The photos below were taken from the parking lot of the Sandia Resort. I stood by my car and watched them fly overhead. I met one woman who came from a group from Hawaii to attend the Fiesta. In all, hundreds of balloonists from over 22 countries attended this year's Fiesta.

I just checked the weather in the Vegas area and it is HOT! It looks as if the heat wave won't leave the area until late September. The temperatures in October begin to appear more reasonable, based on a chart I found here.

Albuquerque weather has been setting record highs, too. With highs in the low to mid 90s, folks around here are lamenting the sweat-inducing heat. But for me, someone who grew up in the Texas heat, the heat here is rather pleasant. Take the 94 degree high here and transplant that to Texas and it feels like 104 degrees. The dry air makes the heat much more tolerable here.

I'm in no real hurry to leave for the Vegas area, not yet anyway. I'm enjoying my stay here. Albuquerque has so many attractions and things to do, it may take me a while to get to it all. In early October, the 2007 International Balloon Fiesta will be spectacular as always. I may wait to see it before I pick up and move on Westward.

But then again, I may leave tomorrow.

Today's ABQ Stats
Stops for gas: 0
Cups of coffee: 2
Trips to Starbucks: 2
Hail storms: 1
Personal items lost/stolen: 1 pair of sunglasses

Albuquerque on $4 a Day

I hate to admit this, but I have watched my share of Rachael Ray’s $40 a Day show on the Food Network. Yeah, her voice is annoying. But she is cute. If you've not seen the show, let me briefly describe it. Rachael spends the day in some luxurious location like Monte Carlo, or Kansas City, and attempts to eat three nice meals and a snack with only $40.

Not to be outdone, I came up with my own challenge of sorts. I called it Albuquerque on $4 a Day. I hope someone at the Food Network tunes in.

The rules for the Albuquerque on $4 a Day Challenge were as follows. First, I had to eat at least three meals. Second, I had to eat enough to feel satisfied and feel like I had eaten something. I cannot just fast for the day. Third, I can not spend more than $4. That's right. Just $4.

Why did I do this? I needed something to write about and thought this would do it. I’m wanting to know if someone on a very strict budget can survive a day in Albuquerque and so I put myself to the test.

Rachael Ray gives herself $40. Well, I can beat that! How about $4, Rachael? Can you swing that?

Here’s how I did it.

Before breakfast I must have my coffee and newspapers. I always read a local paper plus the U.S. Today. The Sandia Resort is kind enough to furnish my coffee and both newspapers free of charge. I grabbed my papers, poured myself a to-go cup of coffee and drove directly to a neighborhood Starbucks to start the day. So far, I’ve spent zero.

After my morning coffee and papers, I walked next door to a grocery store and purchased a Yoplait yogurt (Strawberry flavored) and one banana. Since I had filled out a “reward card” application, I was able to get a discount on the yogurt. Total cost of my breakfast: 64 cents.

Back at Starbucks I ate breakfast and worked until almost 1 p.m. I was ready for lunch and knew where I was going next: the Whole Foods Market on Wyoming Blvd.

The Whole Foods Market is a wonderful place. As I looked out the front windows, the majestic Sandia Mountains in the distance hung like a painting in the sky by a very big artist. I felt healthier just by being there, surrounded by fresh breads, organic fruits of every kind (the employees), and all kinds of apples, pears, grapes, and assorted green vegetables.

I immediately began looking for free samples. I am on a budget, you know.

As luck would have it, free samples were located throughout the store tempting the taste buds of the large lunch crowd. I tried a few chunks of pepper jack cheese. Very nice. How would this taste on a nacho? Down the next aisle by the processed seafood, I noticed a display of crackers and some kind of shrimp spread. The sign said, “Try me!” So I did. If fact I ate three crackers with shrimp spread before moving on.

I made my way across to the other side of the store to find the prepared foods and deli. I hit a gold mine of free food samples here. My favorites were the cinnamon crisps, honey muffin, and mango fruit salsa. By the time I was through tasting samples I was already satisfied. Feeling guilty, I did purchase a raspberry bran muffin to eat out on the patio. I grabbed a free glass of iced water and took my muffin out on the patio to enjoy the mountains and fresh air.

After eating my muffin, I strolled back into the store and made one more stop by the food samples. On this trip I had pimento cheese with crackers, a bite-sized cupcake with white icing, another chunk of pepper jack cheese, and a Brazilian nut cookie. On my way out, I made one last stop by the shrimp spread. I couldn't resist.

Total cost of lunch: the $1.89 I spent on my bran muffin.

As Rachael Ray might say if she were me, “After a nice breakfast and a wonderful light lunch, I’ve only spent $2.53. I have $1.47 left for dinner and a late night snack.”

What did I do for dinner? I took the easy way out and went to McDonald’s and purchased a double cheeseburger from their “dollar menu.” Not the most nutritious meal in town, but it was cheap. It was enough of an early evening snack to satisfy any hunger I may have had. At the Sandia Resort I found some other snack items that were free for the taking, so I took.

Total cost of three meals and a snack: $3.60.

So, Rachael, you can spend $40 in one day and visit restaurants in Paris, or Sao Paolo, or Houston, and have three nice meals and a snack, and make it entertaining. Try taking your act to Albuquerque and only spend $4!

Now that the Albuquerque on $4 a Day Challenge is over, I’m going to the Olive Garden.

A Visit to the Route 66 Casino and Winrock Center

The drive to the Route 66 Casino is nice enough, with the looming mesas and distant mountains keeping you company. After visiting the Flying J Truck Center going west, I saw almost nothing of a civilized world. Once I climbed a huge incline and navigated the crest of a nice sized hill, I began driving down the other side expecting more hillside.

I was immediately struck by a view to the west that seemed to go on forever. “My gosh, what a fantastic view,” I said to no one. I was looking down into a wide, expansive, beautiful valley below me as I began my descent. I felt like I was on the rim of a humungous cereal bowl looking down at my breakfast, in this case a valley that stretched for miles below me in delicious splendor.

The entire panorama would have been breathtaking but for the site of the Route 66 Casino complex 4 miles away in the distance, dotting the landscape like some space ship that took a wrong turn and crash landed in the New Mexican desert. Still minutes away, I could see the casino complex surrounded by the desert landscape in the valley and thought, “What a way to ruin a majestic view and damage God’s handiwork.”

My thoughts of the landscape soon vanished however, as I was eager to check out the poker room. Beautiful landscapes are certainly nice, but so are well-run poker rooms.

The road construction at the casino was horrible. The section of highway directly in front of the complex was being repaved, in addition it looked as if a new ramp, service road, and bridge were under construction. A motel is also being built next door and looked like a mess.

I finally made it to the parking lot and looked for the entrance. My first impressions? Old, worn out, musty, the “old school”, not glitzy at all but rather a cheap imitation of nicer places—these were my thoughts as I walked inside. I’m not sure when the casino was built, but it must have been years ago. The smell inside was musty, carpets well worn, and I couldn’t help but think that I was going back in time to an era of gambling before the glitz mongers of Vegas began to add glitter and shine to casino properties. (I’m no expert on casino history, just giving you an idea of what I was thinking). Everything in the place seemed to speak of the old days, including the huge WSOP slots with Doyle Brunson’s face and Stetson cowboy hat staring at you as you walked by. I liked the place.

The poker room, however was a little disappointing because of its size. I had no idea it would be so small. I only saw 8 tables with no action. The room itself was old-style, with deep wood grains and comfortable chairs and a feeling of comfort and nostalgia. However, only one table was open, and even it was short-handed with only seven players. The game they were playing was $2/$6 limit with a 1/2 kill. I'm sure activity picks up at night and on weekends, but where will players sit?

“We got an open seat,” the lady at the registration desk said. “There’s plenty of room if you want to play.”

I looked a little dejected and replied, “Doesn’t look like much is going on around here.” The lady ignored my comment and went back to the crossword puzzle she was working on.

I walked out a little sad. I drove 18 miles to get here and found one game open with a small group of local players, probably waiting for a stranger like me to come in so they could empty his wallet. There’s no doubt I’d be broke had I sat down in that game.

I drove back to Albuquerque having wasted some time, but now looking for a shopping mall. While getting gas I asked the clerk for directions to a mall and she told me to head toward the mountains on I-40 and take the Louisiana exit. In a few minutes I was standing in front of a mall that was all but dead.

Ironically, the dying mall with just a few living renters left is called “Winrock Center”. I saw a Dillard’s, a Bed Bath and Beyond with a few other small retailers hanging on—and that was it. I walked inside the mall and it was a ghost town. Most of the store fronts had been boarded up or covered up with black curtains. This would make a great movie set for a horror film. “Bloodsucking Zombies of Sandia Peak” or “The Invasion of the Winrock BodySnatchers”. The Winrock Center was actually built in 1961 and was New Mexico’s first fully enclosed shopping mall. So I guess her time is up.

The action was taking place across the street at ABQ Uptown. A new retail center with street front entrances, franchise restaurants, and walking trails, the ABQ is sleek, inviting, and just plain fun. Now this is more like it. I parked in front of the Border’s Bookstore and strolled through the ABQ thinking about Southlake, Texas, and it’s Southlake Town Center. These kinds of developments are springing up around the country. Some say the indoor mall of my youth is dying, being replaced by outdoor venues that provide fresh air and sunshine for shoppers who crave such things. The evidence seems to be unavoidable here. Shopping is becoming natural, environmentally safe, healthy, sexy, and for the most part, outdoors.

I'm enjoying my stay so far in this "land of enchantment". I might hang out here for a while. Henderson and Vegas will still be there when I'm ready.

Bonaza and the 40 Little Joes

If you grew up watching westerns as I did, then you remember the Cartwrights. Ben and his four sons (then only two after Pernell Roberts bolted over a contract dispute and another son left after the first season to head for obscurity) ruled the western plains of Nevada from the Ponderosa Ranch. Little Joe was the youngest and always reminded me of one of my brothers. (Although Wayne was not the youngest in our clan, he had Little Joe's hair.)

Anyway, I was catching up on the news today and read about the controversy over the new show "Kid Nation", premiering on CBS in September. The producers placed 40 children, the oldest being only 15, in a "desert town" alone to see them build a community. Two children together will often result in chaos and a threat to mankind. So I can understand the brilliant thinking that is behind this new reality show.

The desert town is actually Bonanza Creek Ranch, located just a few miles north of Albuquerque. Often referred to as Bonanza City, New Mexico, the working cattle ranch (longhorns mostly) has been the movie set of numerous westerns, including one of my favorites "Silverado".

The controversy is the alleged child abuse that took place. Supposedly, many of the "Little Joes" were in danger, some actually injured, without proper adult supervision. This has resulted in parents bringing charges against the producers.

I can imagine what the producers are thinking: "Oh happy day. The ratings will be enormous!"

First Impressions: the Sandia Casino and Resort

The Sandia Casino and Resort is located off Interstate 25 just north of downtown Albuquerque at the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. The resort offers an 18-hole golf course, 228 guest rooms with flat panel television screens, banquet rooms and convention space, a spa, an exercise facility, and an outdoor amphitheater to hosts concerts under the New Mexican sky. As Tony Soprano might say, "This is one classy joint."

If you visit, the casino is to the north side of the complex and the best parking is underground. Follow the signs around to the left of the main entrance and you won't get lost. The hotel is to the right and there is plenty of above-ground parking in that direction. I like the underground parking because the elevators take you directly to the main floor of the casino. It's a very easy walk from the car to the poker room.

The resort has adopted the rich pueblo history of Albuquerque and is adorned in Southwestern styles and artwork. The Pueblo of Sandia is a federally recognized Indian tribe located in central New Mexico and adjacent to Albuquerque. They own the resort along with other businesses. Their reservation covers 22,877 acres on the east side of the Rio Grande Valley.

The Sandia people are members of the pre-Columbian Tiwa language group who once dominated the Albuquerque area. Their lineage can be traced back to the Aztec civilization. The present site has been their home since at least 1300 AD. Once the largest pueblo in the area with over 3000 people, the tribe currently has just under 500 members. They are one of nineteen pueblo tribes recognized by the federal government in New Mexico. I wish I were one of those 500 tribe members!

"Thur Pa" is the name of the casino lounge, reflecting this heritage. The other dining areas are the "Bien Shur" Restaurant, "Thur Shan" Buffet, "Pa Shur" Deli, and the "Ba Shie" Minibar. I've attempted to figure out a translation of these names. So far, I have discovered that "pa" means "one" in the Tiwa dialect. I'll keep at it. Hopefully I'll find more information at the resort itself. Googling "Tiwa" and "pueblo indians" helped, but not much.

The Sandia is a very nice resort, as you might expect. I checked the place out thoroughly yesterday. I’m starting to get a feel for the place. As for the poker room, it is smaller than expected. I wish it were not open to the slot area (I like peace and quiet when I'm losing money.) It’s not walled off or in it’s own separate side room or building. Thus you get the noise from the slots and other casino events. They cover a nice list of games, however. It looks like I’ll be playing the $2/$4 limit with 1/2 kill to $3/$6. They also have a $4/$8 with a 1/2 kill to $6/$12 which would be a great game. They also have the assorted no limit games, plus weekly tournaments.

They don’t have an Ultimate Texas Hold’em game. Instead they have a World Poker Tour with Bonus game that is similar to the UTH. The main difference between UTH and the WPT game is the bonus payouts. With UTH you have a "Trips" option, paying you a bonus for high hands like a straight or full house. The WPT instead has a "Bonus" option, paying you a bonus for high hands you get in the hole like pocket pairs and suited connectors. There is no bonus for high hands against the dealer in the WPT game.

The pool area sits in view of the Sandia Mountain range. I sat at the pool last night and waited for the sun to slowly sink behind the resort and cast me in its shadow. In front of me I watched the mountains fade away into the rich and vibrant colors of the evening sky, a cool breeze beginning to blow away the heat of the day. I read the New York Times as the sun began to leave me in darkness, and read about the worst bombing attack in Iraq since the war began. I was aware of the juxtaposition of these two worlds: a resort in the foothills of a beautiful mountain range in central New Mexico, the savagery of a northern Iraqi desert littered with the wounded and dead. I was happy to see I had made it through another day and was thankful.