ABQ: Day of the Dead

ALBUQUERQUE

Day of the Dead

 

Wikipedia:

Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it is a national holiday, and all banks are closed. The celebration takes place on November 1, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. They also leave possessions of the deceased.

 

Scholars trace the origins of the modern Mexican holiday to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to anAztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl. The holiday has spread throughout the world: In Brazil, Dia de Finadosis a public holiday that many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are festivals and parades, and, at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and pray for their dead loved ones. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe, and similarly themed celebrations appear in many Asian and African cultures.

In Albuquerque, Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)celebrations take place over several weeks in October and November, although the holiday is traditionally celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd.

See the Albuquerque calendar of events at About.com.

ABQ: Bosque Wetlands, Fall

ALBUQUERQUE

Bosque Wetlands Restoration Project

Fall 2006

View the photo journal.


The photo was taken in 2006 of the Bosque wetlands in Downtown Albuquerque. This is early in the restoration project, as not much vegetation has grown up yet around the ponds. It was still easy to walk around the perimeter of the ponds on paths.

Now the south end of the ponds has returned to marsh. I suspect it's an excellent spot for watching birds. The cranes will likely come in November. Black boxes are attached on the telephone poles in the pictures at the photo journal. They are "bat houses," like bird houses, but with slats instead of round holes.

ABQ: Postcard Copper Ave Homes

ALBUQUERQUE

Postcard: Copper Avenue Homes 1940


This postcard is Copper Avenue in Downtown Albuquerque. The house in the foreground is now used by MRCOG, the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

I can't read the postcard clearly, but it may say that the homes were located in the Roundhouse District. I have never heard this reference to a Downtown Albuquerque neighborhood. Usually when people talk about the Roundhouse, they are referring to state government in Santa Fe.

The Wheels Museum has records about the Albuquerque Roundhouse that was used to service trains at the Rail Yards in Barelas.


AT&SF Albuquerque, NM Roundhouse

According to the Wheels Museum:

"The 32-stall Albuquerque roundhouse was built in 1914-15. It included four "long" stalls on the east side that could accommodate Mallets and other large engines. The turntable was an 85-foot through plate girder table that was extended to 120 feet.

MRCOG:

The Mid-Region Council of Governments is a multi-county governmental agency that is helping our region plan responsibly for the future, in light of anticipated growth in New Mexico's mid-region.  Representing the counties of Bernalillo, Valencia, Torrance, and Sandoval, we provide planning services in the areas of transportation, agriculture, workforce development, employment growth, land-use, water, and economic development. We also manage the popular commuter rail service: the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. Our regional water planning effort addresses a fundamental concern of local governments: how will we meet future water needs? Likewise, the Agriculture Collaborative focuses on another scarce resource: local farmland, which as a result of urban encroachment, is dwindling.

ABQ: Fall in Bosque

ALBUQUERQUE

Fall in the Bosque

View the photo journal.


Photo of the Bosque Wetlands Restoration Project.


October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again. 
Hal Borland 

ABQ: Conservatories

ALBUQUERQUE

Conservatories

View the photo journal of conservatories in Albuquerque, the Bonsai Museum at the Steinhardt Conservatory in Brooklyn, and the orchids at the Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago.


The ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, located in Greater Downtown on Central Ave. (Route 66) and the Rio Grande, features one and half miles of paths through a variety of gardens on 36 acres and two conservatories.


Mediterranean Conservatory

The Mediterranean Conservatory shows off a variety of plants native to coastal areas with hot dry summers and mild rainy winters, such as the Mediterranean Sea coast, the California coast, southwestern Australia, South Africa and coastal Chile.

This conservatory is also the locale for several flower shows, including Bulbs in Bloom and the Orchid Show.

Desert Conservatory

Its hot, dry climate supports a collection of plant life from deserts of the American Southwest.

Saguaro cactus and palo verde trees from the Sonoran Desert, creosote and yucca from the Chihuahuan Desert and elephant trees from Baja are just some of the incredible xeric-adapted plants on display.

ABQ: 2nd Tallest Building

ALBUQUERQUE

Hyatt Regency

View the drawings.


The second tallest building in New Mexico, and the tallest hotel, is the Downtown Hyatt Regency.


Wikipedia:

The Albuquerque Plaza complex was designed by Hellmuth, Obata, & Kassabaum and built in 1990.

The hotel offers a Southwestern decor with a mountain or city view. Amenities include a heated rooftop pool, hot tubs, 24-hour attended gym. The 24,000 sq ft (2,200 m²) conference center contains four ballrooms, three boardrooms and 22 meeting rooms.


Emporis:

Technical Data

Height (tip)

256.00 ft

Height (architectural)

256.00 ft

Height (roof)

256.00 ft

Floors (above ground)

21

Construction end

1990

SECRET ABQ: Courtyard

SECRET ALBUQUERQUE

Courtyard

Courtyard tucked away in Downtown Albuquerque. The back portion of the building looks older, with a newer addition in front by the street.

This courtyard is open to the public--if you know where to look.