ABQ: Old Town Farm

ALBUQUERQUE

Old Town Farm

A valley runs through Downtown Albuquerque along the Rio Grande. For many generations farming has been located along the river. So while most people would think of the city center as being urban, a surprising amount of crops are still grown and livestock kept in more rural sections. These areas include the Biopark Heritage Farm, where food is raised to feed animals at the zoo, as well as the zoo itself.

In addition, front yard vegetable patches, neighborhood gardens, and backyard chickens are increasing in popularity in the denser urban areas.

Pictured above is the Old Town Farm, located in the neighborhood of West Old Town, which is not surprisingly, west of Rio Grande boulevard and the Old Town Plaza. CSA memberships are available and produce is sold at local farmers markets.

ABQ: Paseo del Bosque Bike Trail

ALBUQUERQUE

Paseo del Bosque Bike Trail

16 miles of uninterrupted paved trail runs from the northern end of Albuquerque to the southern end. The multi-use trail passed through Downtown on the western edge by the Biopark, Tingley Beach and the zoo.

The trail was named as one of the best in the western USA by Sunset magazine.


This trail is a beautiful ride along the Rio Grande through an area of trees known locally as a bosque. Native plants and animals can be spotted, including cranes in late fall and winter. It's a great way to watch hot air balloons at Balloon Fiesta on the northern end of the trail while avoiding the crowds.

The city is rather hot in the summer. Therefore, the best summer times to use the trail are in the mornings and early evenings. Albuquerque may not reach peak temperature for the day until 4 PM in the afternoon. Be advised to have plenty of water with you always. And thorn proof your tires if you are bringing your own bicycle instead of renting locally. The area is covered in goat head stickers--which are even worse on the connecting dirt paths. Trust me, you don't have enough patches in your repair kit. It's a long walk home if you get a flat. 


According to NMTS:

The bike path is used by children, recreational road cyclists, and experts (usually getting from one side of the city to another), not to mention walkers, inline skaters, joggers, and others. A gravel parallel road parallels the paved path on the northern portion. Be careful not to startle horses.

There is no water or bathrooms on the trail. There are porta-potties at the Alameda trail head and bathrooms at Tingley Beach. It crosses the diversion channel over several well maintained bridges and there are little benches along the way. The only negative is that there are several chicanes, or "mazes" south of Tingley beach where you have to dismount and walk your bike through. The are connections at Rio Bravo where you can find a convenience store nearby if you're getting hungry.

GARDEN: Rio Grande Bosque

GARDEN

Rio Grande Bosque

Downtown Albuquerque borders one side of the Rio Grande. On both sides of the river we have the Rio Grande Valley State Park. The area is great for cycling on the bike path, hiking trails, watching birds and just finding a restful spot in the city.

According to the City of Albuquerque website:

Established by the State Legislature in 1983, this Park is managed cooperatively by the Open Space Division and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD). The 4,300-acre park extends from Sandia Pueblo in the north through Albuquerque and south to Isleta Pueblo.

The Rio Grande bosque offers a unique environment in arid Albuquerque. Large cottonwood trees, coyote willow, and New Mexico olive create a cool, shady forest and provide habitat for beaver, numerous bird species, turtles, and snakes.



GARDEN: artwork/Gargoyle

GARDEN

Gargoyle

The garden statute looks almost like a dog. He is rather contemplative and not at all scary.

GARDEN: artwork/Aloe Plant

GARDEN

Aloe Plant

I create this style of artwork from photography. I first print one of my photos off the photocopier in black and white, adhere the image to a board using beeswax, then finish the image with oil pastel over the beeswax.

GARDEN: St. Francis/artwork

GARDEN

St. Francis Statue

This artwork I made from a photo of a statue taken at Gertrude Zachary's Downtown antique store. She has a marvelous selection of outdoor garden statues, fountains and various types of ornaments. I find her store inspiring to visit.

GARDEN: artwork/Hen & Chick

GARDEN

June 2012 I had four pieces of artwork in a group show "Miniatures and Small Works" at the Bright Rain Gallery in Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico.