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| Albuquerque seen from Sandia Crest |
In the afternoon of Sunday, July 29th, we made our way up the winding road that leads into the Cibola National Forest, the ski basin, and ultimately to the crest of the Sandias. I watched the reading for the outside thermometer on my 4Runner begin to drop. When we left the heart of Albuquerque (just shy of 5000'), it was 88 degrees. By the time we reached the road that leads to the top, the temperature had dropped to 82. Hungry for a taste of mountain air, I still waited until the thermometer read 73 degrees before lowering the windows. 77, 75, 73...it was time. When we reached Sandia Crest, the reading was 66 degrees. So it was no surprise to see the facts on the information board on the trail, that reads, "Five thousand feet below and about 20 degrees warmer is the city of Albuquerque...situated in the Rio Grande Basin." In spite of the crowd of other visitors, it was a delight. I drew in the view and the air, which my words can't capture, and remembered why I want to be here.
