Day 455: Albuquerque

I always find it stunning to wake up in western New York and go to sleep across the country or world. We slept poorly at the hotel,  but at least we didn't have to drive for an hour at 4:30 am.  The airport was mobbed!  Lots of families, little kids dragging tiny Mickey Mouse carry-on suitcases, teens in sweats or flannel on their cellphones, harried moms juggling bottles, stuffed animals and babies.  All  were on the move.

We had a long layover in Chicago, but still arrived in Albuquerque by 12:30 Central Time.   It was a small, but beautiful airport on the outskirts of town.  After picking up our rental car, we found a  restaurant downtown where we had our first green chili burgers.  Delicious!

Along Rt. 25 on the way to Santa Fe, we stopped at Sandia Peak where we rode the world's longest passenger tramway up 10,700 feet!  It's a tradition.  Wherever we go, we find the tallest point or structure and climb to the top to see the entire region.

Santa Fe is an extraordinary city of many firsts that we will enjoy exploring over the next few days.  Our first dinner was at Taverna, a Spanish tapas restaurant.  Sangria, white bean stew, salmon, oh my!