Taos, Bandelier, Rio Grande New Mexico

October was a great time for my Sister Betsy (Akron, OH) and I to spend some Brother & Sister time together on a vacation in New Mexico. We split our time between Albuquerque and the Santa Fe area. From Santa Fe we took scenic day trips and one was to Taos to see a "Pueblos" Native American Indian village with Adobe houses built more than a thousand years ago. We also drove across Rt. 64 and the Rio Grande Bridge.

On another day we toured Bandelier National Monument for a self guided tour of extensive ancestral pueblos ruins.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

A spectacular 2 hour ride from Santa Fe to Chama NM, brought us to the southern terminus of the 'The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad" which runs steam trains along narrow-gauge tracks through Alpine back country to Antonito Colorado. At a mid-way stop, a delicious luncheon was enjoyed at a special track side location. (Betsy and I both had the Turkey Special) The train ride was especially beautiful because the first fall snow had dusted much of the track side terrain and covered many mountain caps in the distance.

Albuquerque Balloon Festival October 2008

The Albuquerque Balloon Festival is a 10 day Festival which draws thousands of visitors each day. Betsy and I enjoyed a special Hot Air Balloon flight early one morning. Watching the Balloons inflate is almost as exciting as soaring thought the sky and being guided by the wind. I found it fascinating as we drifted above houses and awoke every dog within our path.

Rob & Sherri

Rob & Sherri Lammerding live in Kenosha, WI and both have career's in the Navy. I was thrilled to visit Rob & Sherri in their beautiful home this past September while on business in Chicago. Rob & Sherri have a lovely home and enjoy decorating both the inside and outside together. Their Dog Zoe is a beautiful and loving animal and apparently loves to model her assorted Holiday outfits. This year for Halloween, be on the look out for a cute little dogie dressed as a Bumble Bee. If it should rain...have no fear, the one in the yellow slicker with the long tail would be Zoe.

Mike & Andrea

Mike (Lammerding) Brother Bill's youngest son and Andrea (Grazioso) were engaged early in 2008 and a Wedding date is TBD. Mike and Andrea currently live in Doylestown, PA. On a beautiful summers evening in August, we met in New Hope PA for an enjoyable dinner at the Logan Inn. New Hope has always been a special place for me to visit ever since performing at The Buck's County Theater during High School and so it's fitting for me to rendezvous with such special people as Mike and Andrea in one of my favorite places from years ago.