Home again

The flight home was long but uneventful.  We left Albuquerque about 30 minutes late.  We made up a little time with the flight to LA.  It was just a stop for us, so we did not get off the plane. Then on to Oakland, where we did have to change planes.  This is on several of the windows.  We had to walk from gate 33 to 21, which ended out being longer than I had thought that it would be because they only have planes on one side of the terminal.  

We also left there late but some how managed to get to Portland 5 minutes early.  Portland is in the process of changing the carpeting.  It is quite the process.  It is taking months to complete.  There was quite a stink about it because many people did not like the new carpeting.  They were auctioning off the old carpeting for people who wanted it. Here is the old carpeting.

And here is the new carpeting

George went out to get the long-term parking shuttle so he could get our car.  I stayed at baggage claim to get our bags. I rented one of those handy carts.  When the luggage came I loaded up the cart.  Only 3 bags fit on the cart but managed by pushing the cart and pulling the last bag.  George had taken the carry-on bags with him.  It took him a while to get the car but it all worked out.  I was waiting for him at the curb.  We were home by 10:15 pm.  

All in all, this was a very nice family get-together.  Even though I like to travel, I am always glad to get home!

Monday, April 20

Rebecca came over for breakfast and then we met Steve & Jennifer at the zoo.  That was fun.  It was a gorgeous day to be walking around.

All too soon it was time to leave for lunch.  

We ate at the Flying Star.  It was good.  I especially liked the sweet potato fries.  Then we went back to Rebecca's room to finish packing, load up the car and get to the airport. 

most of these bags we were taking.  We had 8 bags.  4 we could check for free with Southwest.  Then we each had a carry-on suitcase and a personal bag.  I am not sure how we will deal with all the bags in Portland.  I guess I will rent a cart and while George gets the car I will get the bags.  Not sure if it will work but we will try.  We check the 4 bags at the curbside check in then we went down to the gate.  Rebecca had to go back to work.  We are now waiting for our flight. We get into Portland about 9 pm.  

And today we walked

Breakfast at the hotel.  I had the custom made healthy greek omelet with egg whites. It was good. Then Rebecca and George went to Rebecca's church.  The rest of us decided to go on a walk.  It took some research and it took us a while to get organized.  We decided to walk part of the Bosque Trail.  This is a 16 mile trail that follows the Rio Grande. We found one of the parking places. Then we walked about 1 hour.  It was hot.

Then we went back to the hotel.  Everyone finished packing and got checked out of the hotel.  Time for lunch.  We went to Garcia's because it was close and Sharon had not had "real" Mexican food.  She had not had sopapillas or flan.  We had them both.  Rebecca and George joined us for lunch

Then everyone except us left.  Then we went back to Rebecca's place.  She has to pack up 4 suitcases for us to take with us. It is free on Southwest.  About 4 we took a hike break and went to the Tingley Beach Park 

The park was full of different metal sculptures.  that was fun.

Then we left the park and did more of the Boxque Trail.  This part was further south than what we had done before.  

Back to Rebecca's I worked on the blog while Rebecca packed.  We will be eating left over Indian food tonight.  16.397 steps.

later - 

We had a nice dinner of Indian food.  Yummy the 2nd time around.  After dinner we walked some more.  Took a tour of the campus to see some of the changes that were made.

This is the art area.  Luanem (Menaul spelled backwards)

They have put in a labyrinth.

and now I have done 19,474!! I am done.  Except the few steps more I will need to do before going to bed. My feet are barking - as Kris says.  I have been corrected.  My dogs are barking.

All day eating opportunities.

We started the morning with Starbuck coffee (within the hotel).  Then we met for breakfast at Wecks, There were 12 of us.  I had 1 pancake and egg but it was a big pancake.  I could not eat it all.  I ordered a small OJ.  My brother thought he wanted a little more than a small so he ordered a large.  Who knew that they had a medium.

Then some of us went to try to walk some of breakfast off.  Wandered around Old Town.  That was fun.  Listen to local musicians and poked into a bunch of shops.  No buying for me.

Then we took Rebecca back to her place.  We had to help her eat up some of her ice cream.Then it was time to get ready for the wedding.

Perry's mom & step dad's home

the back yard

The bride and groom

table decorations.  The blue colored things are origami stars.  Perry's sister made them all. 

Perry & Dan (sorry about the shadows)

Perry with her mom, Stephanie

Perry and Ross

Perry dancing with her dad, Steve.

Of course there was food and later cake - they had cheesecake.  That was quite a hit.

The wedding reception was from 2-5 pm.  We headed back to the hotel and relaxed a bit (had a glass of wine) before it was time to go to dinner.  We went to a very good Indian Restaurant. The Taj Mahal.  Yummy but I could not eat much.  We took a lot of left-overs home.  I think we will get to eat them tomorrow night with Rebecca.  

Hours later and I am still stuffed.  I am tired.  It is time to hit the hay.  

Friday, April 17

The day started with breakfast at the hotel.  They have a nice one. This is a picture of the atrium

After a leisurely breakfast we headed to Starbucks for a leisurely cup of coffee.

Pam, Debbie, Joe and Jim.  Everyone had a different lunch plan.

George and I walked to Rebecca's school.  About a 2 1/2 mile walk.  Noted this house with a decorative toilet seat our front.

some nice art work.  We had a nice lunch with Rebecca and helped her do a few projects.  Then we borrowed her car to drive to my brother's place and we had a visit there.

Steve's friendly crocodile.  We went on a little walk and then the rest of the family showed up.

Jennifer with her granddaughter Avery

Joe, Debbie and Jim

Jim, Linda & Pam (Sharon & Michael and Linda all arrived this afternoon)

Sharon, Steve, Jennifer, Avery, George

Michael

Steve's friendly dragon

Rachel.(I did not get a picture of Andy)  

So now we are all here.  We all left to meet for dinner.  We ate at Vinaigrette.  A salad restaurant close to the local theater where we had tickets to see Noises Off.  It was a spoof slapstick kind of a play.  I was enjoying it but at intermission everyone decided to leave.  Jetlag and all.  Some of us gathered at the hotel bar for a night cap.  Today was a warmer day.  I guess because it was not as windy.  

Albuquerque - Thursday April 16

George and I left the house close to 10 am to go pick up my nephew, Ross, on our way to the airport.  Pretty uneventful flight.  We got to Albuquerque around 4 pm.  Steve and Perry (our niece) met our plane and soon Rebecca came to pick us up.  She took us to the Embassy Suites hotel.  Jim & Pam and Debbie & Joe had already arrived.  We got settled in and then we all met down stairs for happy hour at 5:30 pm.  Then we headed off to Trombini's Italian Bistro for dinner.  There were 11 of us.  Steve & Jennifer, Ross, Perry, Debbie & Joe, Jim & Pam, George, Rebecca and me. We are gathering here for Perry & Dan's wedding reception.  The legal part was taken care of a few months ago but we are all here to share with the party.

Other than a few mix ups with the orders the food was delicious.  They never did get Jim's order right but then they did not charge us for it either.  Then we came back to the hotel.  Rebecca left to go back to her place.  The rest of us gathered in the bar again.  We found a quiet area to talk.  

It was a fun day.  The weather here was dry, sunny, in the 60s and very windy.