Round Rio Rancho

5 BR / 3 BA / 5013 SQFT / 2 Car Gar / Workshop / Casita
Would you enjoy morning walks in rolling hills and woods? What if you could do that on your own Corrales property! This rambling ranch style home sits on 2.45 acres with dozens of trees. There’s a corral for your equine friends. Do guests visit often? There’s a 2 Bedroom, 600 SqFt Casita. Like to work on cars or projects? Then you’ll love the 1150 SqFt workshop. There’s room for 2-3 cars inside, a roll up door, and a heated and cooled living room/man cave with a fridge, toilet and shower. There’s an access road directly from Corrales Rd, and a spacious storage building. The rambling house was home for a local family for 25 years. In the last couple years they did several infrastructure upgrades, including the septic system, carpet, boiler, lighting, baths and more. Come experience it!

Who knew being Mayor of Rio Rancho, NM was such a multi-discipline endeavor… On Saturday Mayor Gregg Hull performed in the Duke City Dance Off competition as part of the 11th Annual Day of Dance. The event was sponsored by Lovelace Women’s Hospital at the Albuquerque Embassy Suites Hotel. With his partner, Charity Tafoya, a professional at the Arthur Murray studio in Rio Rancho, Mayor Hull performed a progressive two-step to the tune of Boot Scootin’ Bogie. How did he do? Judge for yourself…

The Alameda Open Space parking lot is a great starting point to use the Paseo del Bosque Trail is one of Albuquerque’s premier bike, rollerblade, equestrian and walking trails. The trail is wide, well paved and provides views of the Rio Grande River, local wildlife, and the back of adjoining homes, some of which have horses, camels and llamas. We have been riding there for years, and recently shared the experience with our Granddaughter, Kaya. However, this ride was cut short . Due to recent heavy rains, there was mud at the ends of the underpass tunnel at Paseo del Norte. As I was coming out of the tunnel, I hit a pile of mud, which caused me to lose control. I landed on the retaining wall just outside.

The HD Hero camera mounted on the handlebars captured the whole thing, and was undamaged. I, however, was not so lucky. I did not break any bones, but my right arm and leg got pretty ripped up. I hit my head on a brick, but the helmet saved me from a head injury. I was able to ride back out, which was better than walking over a mile to the car. I’m sure that we’ll be back riding the bosque trail soon… I’ll just be a little more careful at the tunnels.

5 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, 3108 Sq Feet, 3 Car Garage

Former Tiffany model home with all the bells and whistles! 2×6 Framing, Pella Windows and Doors, GE Monogram Stainless Steel Appliances, Beautiful Slate Tile, Vigas and Latillas, Custom Cabinetry, Granite Counters and Window Sills throughtout! The back yard is fully landscaped with an Extended Patio and Outdoor Fireplace. The garage is finished with an epoxied floor. The utility room is equiped for 2 pairs washers and dryers. This home is truly a showplace and a warm haven for your family.

Twice a year the Trinity Site, the place where the first atomic bomb was detonated, opens its gates to the public. Although other videos we have seen made it appear to be rather boring, we were pleasantly surprised and intrigued! This location is a magnificent representation of iconic and revolutionary history in the United States. The Manhattan project was created in June of 1942 with the ultimate goal of creating an atomic bomb. Led by Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, a group of scientists and engineers designed and built this device in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Their device was tested at the Trinity Site, located about 30 minutes from Socorro, NM which is now part of the White Sands Missile Range. The monument offers a great educational experience with information on both the historical context and the technical and scientific aspects of the testing. Not to mention that you can pick up some quirky merchandise in the process. This area has radiation levels higher than the typical background exposure that we all experience, but safety is always a primary concern. The brief exposure that one will receive in one hour at the site is approximately equal to 1/4th the dose received in a coast to coast commercial flight. While the atomic bomb may not be on your list of favorite things, the Trinity Site is a worthwhile trip that we would highly recommend to anybody who has the opportunity.

3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, 1596 Square Ft

This one of a kind townhome is tucked away in a cul de sac near the Petroglyph Monument. With stainless steel appliances, granite tile counters, custom maple cabinetry, unusual architechtural features and hand carved vigas inside and out, you won’t find anything like it elsewhere! The spacious 3 car garage can be a great workshop, complete with radiant heat and its own half bath. The home is energy efficient, with heating and cooling costs well below average. Come take a look!

Over 20 local restaurants and cafes dished out thousands of samples of their product at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

The Sandia Peak Tramway, or “Tram” is the third longest aerial tramway in the world. Each cable car can carry up to 50 passengers, or 10,000 lbs of cargo up the 2.7 miles to the top. From the 10,378 high summit there is a spectacular view of the Rio Grande Valley.

The Tram has carried nearly 9 million passengers in its 43 years of existence. On the way up, visitors can enjoy the ridged rock faces, deep canyons and high cliffs, old rugged oaks, pine trees, and aspen. Commonly seen wildlife in the area includes mule deer, black bears, raccoons, bobcats, squirrels, downhill skiers and snowboarders.

The idea for such a marvelous attraction was proposed by Robert Nordhaus after a trip to Europe. There he saw structures similar to the Tram he would eventually build, and the idea was born. After much difficulty in construction, including bringing up the two towers via helicopter, the Tram took it’s first carload of 50 passengers on May 7, 1966. On average, the Sandia Peak Tramway takes 10,500 trips up and down Sandia Peak every year.

Breathtaking sights are not the only thing the Tram trip provides. The peak and canyons are within the Cibola National Forest, containing 26 miles of trails for mountain bikers or hikers. Skiing is also available on the back side of the peak from December to mid March. If a visitor is hungry, the High Finance Resturant doors are always open for anyone who desires to “dine two miles high.” The Tram guides highly recommend having a meal in the evening and coming down the mountain after dark, to enjoy the city lights from a whole different perspective.

The 40^th Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicked off with a weekend of perfect weather. The midweek weather suffered from unusual rain and wind setbacks, but by the final weekend the weather cleared up and Albuquerque’s signature event was back on track. It had been several years since we had visited the fiesta, and we had family in town, so it was time to go again. The event did not disappoint.

The mass ascension was incredible. From anywhere on the field, you couldn’t take a bad photo. The color, the shapes and the massive number of balloons in the sky at once was unprecedented. The day we were there, the wind was so calm that the hundreds of balloons that launched hung around for a long time over the field, making for a spectacular traffic jam of balloons.

The Night Magic evening balloon glow provided a surprisingly different spectacle. Dozens of balloons inflated and stayed anchored to the ground, firing their burners at intervals. The result was a flickering show of light and color.  The glow was followed by a dazzling fireworks show.

If you’ve never been to the Balloon Fiesta, we hope our video motivates you to attend next year in person. You won’t be disappointed. Enjoy!

The 14th Annual Maize Maze is open 7 days a week now through the end of October at the Rio Grande Community Farm on Manzano, East of the river. The maze is cut into 7 acres of tall corn. This year’s design is a dinosaur. The activity supports the annual budget of the community farm. October 14th and 15th visitors are invited to explore the maze by moonlight. When the maze finishes, the fields will be knocked down to provide food for migrating birds. The video below is from the 2010 maze. For more information, visit http://www.riograndefarm.org .

I’ve been paddling a kayak around many of the New Mexico lakes surrounding the Albuquerque / Rio Rancho area for several years. I’ve also experienced white water rafting in the Taos Box area of the Rio Grande, but I have to say that the experience of a five hour float through the Class One waters of the river between Bernalillo and Albuquerque is a totally different experience. You are not fighting to stay afloat or to not get dumped into boiling waters. Compared to lake paddling, you don’t have to work nearly as hard to get somewhere. Instead, you are experiencing the sky, the flora and fauna along the banks, and the “flow” of the river with relative ease.

Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures is unique in that they not only provide the shuttle service from beginning to end, the boats (kayaks or canoes), paddles and safety equipment, they also provide a guide to get you down the river in style. (Self guided tours are also available for more experienced paddlers.)

Sunset Magazine recently described Quiet Waters Paddling as the #1 outdoor day trip in Albuquerque.  High praise, when compared to say, the Sandia Peak Tram, the Bio Park, and some of the available hot air balloon adventures. New Mexico Magazine called them their favorite trip available on the Rio Grande.

The tours are suitable for paddlers of all ages and skill levels. Temperatures and water flow conditions are suitable from spring through most of the fall. The company has sufficient equipment to handle large groups, making it a great activity for convention attendees, business organizations and others. You can visit Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures at 105 D Pleasant View Drive, Bernalillo, New Mexico. Call them at 505 771-1234 or toll free: 877 45-FLOAT (877-453-5628).

The 3.4 mile extension of Paseo Del Vocan (now NM Road 347) between Hwy 550 and Iris Road in Rio Rancho opened Thursday. The two lane road is really a joy to drive on. (I drove the length of it 15 minutes before its official opening at noon.)  Paseo Del Volcan is projected to eventually span the distance from Hwy 550 to Hwy 40, adding a much needed North- South route to the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho Metro area.

There was a public ceremony and ribbon cutting at 11:00 am in a tent to shelter the participants from the day’s cold and wind. Debbie Moore, CEO of the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce was Mistress of Ceremonies, with additional words from Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack, Darryl Madalena, Chairman of the Sandoval County Commission, and Dewey Cave, Executive Director of of Mid Region Council of Governments.  The word for the day was “cooperation”.  Without the cooperation of numerous government agencies and private organizations, the funding and construction of this piece of road would never have seen the light of day. Total funding for the project was $14 Million (which wouldn’t buy you a goat path in some parts of the country, but they did a lot with it here in New Mexico). The cost would have been much higher if the right of way had not been set aside many years ago.

The Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally has been held every year since the mid 1970’s on Valentine’s Day weekend. The event is put on by the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (“Aerostat” is much cooler word for “balloon”.), and showcases over 100 local hot air balloon crews and their craft. For many years the event was held at the Rio Rancho Balloon Park near Northern and Unser Blvds. The video above was filmed at the 2010 event. This year the rally will be held at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, February 12 and 13.

The producers of the annual Albuquerque River of Lights display at the Albuquerque Bio Park really outdid themselves this year. We visited the display a couple years ago, and it was good for about an hour’s walk through then, but this year, with a combination of a half dozen new light sculptures, excellent organization and presentation, we probably doubled the time we spent there.

The display consists of millions of lights in over 140 light displays and animated sculptures, often set to holiday music and sound effects. Proceeds of ticket sales benefit the Albuquerque Bio Park, which consists of the Zoo, Botanical Garden, Tingley Beach and the Aquarium.    

The weather cooperated on the evening we visited. It was cold, but there was no wind, which helped keep the focus on the displays, not on how cold we were.  If they pull off the same quality of presentation next year, we will be back again to enjoy it.

3 Bedrooms, Office, 3 Baths, Approximately 1850 Sq Ft, 2 Car Garage
A full remodel has already been completed! Included were New Stainless Steel Appliances, New Countertops, Sinks and Plumbing Fixtures, Brushed Nickel Light Fixtures, New Carpet and Tile, New Decorator Stair Banister and more! You will enjoy the Private Office adjoining the master bedroom. The back yard is set up for entertaining, with a Huge Covered Deck. Easy care landscaping front and back. Great west side location near Paseo del Norte, for an easy commute to work or play.