To Santa Fe Oct 13

Sunday morning was the last mass ascension of the Balloon Fiesta, and we were there bright and early.  It was a perfect day for the balloonists, and all the balloons were able to launch.

We were so glad we got to experience this event in Albuquerque!

Leaving Albuquerque, we took the Turquoise Scenic byway up to Santa Fe and camped near there.  On the the way we drove up to Sandia Peak, the highest point of the mountains east of Albuquerque.  We took pictures, but it was too hazy to see the city below and the Rio Grande River.

This area was ruled by the government shutdown.

 On the way down we stopped at Tinkertown Museum, touted as New Mexico's premier folk art museum.  This quirky place was the dream of one man who wanted to create his own  roadside attraction. 

 The building was largely made of colored glass bottles concreted together.

Whoever said the Tinkertown Museum is a monument to collecting, craftsmanship and imagination got it right. Admission is $2-$4, but we needed  a few quarters for the full experience.  For a quarter, small towns and other intricately carved scenes with moving parts became animated. 

Then there was the circus

Boot Hill was two quarters to play.  Lots of movement including grave diggers and St Peter vs Satan for a soul.  

 This bullet pencil collection is one of many private collections donated to the creator of the museum.

other noteworthy postings and documents included these.

We drove a little ways into Santa Fe but did not see much other than many square adobe houses, all about the same color.  We camped outside the city and enjoyed the sunset.