john mccormack: Albuquerque’s Secret Aspen Grove
- 09/28/11 10:17 AM
Albuquerque’s Secret Aspen Grove Several years ago my wife and I accidentally stumbled across a trail less taken called North Sandia Crest. It has now become a favorite fall hike as it hides a brilliant grove of Aspens not a common sight found around Albuquerque. This is a moderate hike with awesome views as far as the human eye allows. It’s well worth the effort and heavy breathing the thin air at 10,678 feet brings. The North Sandia Crest hike travels along the Sandia Mountain rim and then dips into the forest making for a day of season changing zones
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john mccormack: Thrive or Survive
- 09/27/11 12:57 PM
Thrive or Survive As I reflect on life and the many ups and downs it brings Helen Keller comes to mind. One of my favorite quotes from Helen Keller is, “Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows.” If there ever was a person that had reason to complain, or have a negative attitude it would certainly have been Helen Keller. But Helen didn't take the path of negativity or bitterness. Helen Keller didn't just survive, she thrived and was an inspiration to countless others. Next time you have a down day I hope you keep your face to the sun and
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john mccormack: Life is a Zoo
- 09/26/11 07:06 PM
Life is a zoo and kids sure make it more fun! Our granddaughter loved her trip to the Albuquerque Zoo and was fascinated that a Polar Bear could actually live in the high desert of Albuquerque. Albuquerque Zoo opened in 1927 and has grown to a beautiful 64- Acre haven from close encounters with exotic and native animals of all types. The Albuquerque Zoo is home to over 200 species of animals and offers actives and feeding times, music concerts, annual events and camp classes. Be sure to wear your walking shoes and be ready for a day of fun with
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john mccormack: Caught In Life’s Web
- 09/26/11 10:09 AM
Caught In Life’s Web With the hustle - bustle of every day life it’s so easy to get caught in life’s web. I officially confess I am guilty of stressing about the little things. Working on my Albuquerque real estate business from early till very late at night I tend to let myself get caught in life’s web. I am going to slow down, take more time with family and friends and enjoy life’s ride more. When I spotted this butterfly caught in the spiders’ web it dawned on me the butterfly was fluttering about working on her nectar fix
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john mccormack: Blazing Colors at Fourth of July
- 09/26/11 01:15 AM
Blazing Colors at Fourth of July There is an exceptional hideaway spot near Albuquerque in the Monzano Mountain Wilderness that holds a special place for my wife and I. This place is unique because it is oddly out of place for the High Desert landscape that we are acquainted with. What makes this place special is the unlikely amount of deciduous trees from Big Tooth Maple, Oaks, Scrub Oak, Hard and and Soft Maple and others. As fall approaches we carefully monitor to see when the leaves begin to turn so we can make our annual trek to Fourth of July
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john mccormack: Entertaining Blue Man Group Coming To Albuqueruque
- 09/23/11 10:34 AM
Entertaining Blue Man Group Coming To Albuquerque The entertaining Blue Man Group is coming to Albuquerque. New Mexico and especially the Albuquerque area has been anticipating the amazing and highly charged theatrical preference of the Blue Man Group for some time now. Escape your worries and feel like a kid again with the high energy level of comedy, music and outstanding technology the Blue Man Group provides.The New York Times heralds the show as “One of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged.” E! Entertainment New says, “Blue Man Group is what every live performance aspires to be.” Albuquerque is thrilled
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john mccormack: Stunning Albuquerque Sunsets During Destructive Wildfires
- 09/23/11 02:59 AM
Stunning Albuquerque Sunsets During Destructive Wildfires. Albuquerque NM is known to have some of the most gorgeous sunsets. This year the New Mexico and Arizona destructive wildfires of late spring and early summer brought blowing dust and soot over our area in the atmosphere but the positive results was some incredible sunsets. On some late afternoons the Albuquerque sky would actually look like it was on fire or bleeding. This meld of events offered up some absolutely stunning beauty that would make anyone stop in awe of Mother Nature here in the High Desert. Notice in some of these photos the
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john mccormack: Let's Count Jack Rabbits
- 09/22/11 10:21 AM
Let’s Count Jack Rabbits After those especially stressful days my wife and I have found the perfect way to unwind and relax. We have a saying at our house, “Let’s count Jack Rabbits.” No questions asked we along with our pup Dixie hop in the truck and head for a quick off road trip up Albuquerque’s West Mesa. Here we find Jack Rabbits along with Coyote and amazing views that go as far as the human eye allows. Instantly we’re in the Jack Rabbit counting mode. How many will we find today? Are they young, old, do they have babies?
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john mccormack: Albuquerque Gears Up For 40th Annual Balloon Fiesta
- 09/22/11 02:25 AM
Albuquerque gears up for 40th Annual Balloon Fiesta! Albuquerque NM is expecting around 600 balloons this year with 100 or more special shapes and 800,000 + people. You can't miss the fun the Annual Balloon Fiesta event offers!The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta will be held October 1st - 9th 2011. Enjoy the 360 acre Balloon Fiesta Park and don't forget to stop in for a delightful education at Albuquerque's Anderson - Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. Don't miss the Mass Ascensions where more than 600 balloons will inflate and launch from the Balloon Fiesta Field. Make sure to be at the field by 5:30 a.m.
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john mccormack: Odd Beauty Found At Albuquerque’s Bosque
- 09/21/11 06:16 AM
Odd Beauty Found At Albuquerque’s Bosque While hiking the along the banks of Rio Grande River or “Bosque” we found some odd yet very cool mushrooms. My wife and I have no clue what the scientific names of these intriguing mushrooms are but we are for sure they are beautiful and thought they were picture worthy. One just never knows when striking out on a hike along the Albuquerque Bosque what will be found on the path. If you’re considering the sale or purchase of an Albuquerque or Rio Rancho home it would be my
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john mccormack: Albuquerque Salsa Fiesta A Hot Time In Albuquerque
- 09/21/11 02:53 AM
Albuquerque Salsa Fiesta A Hot Time In Albuquerque Albuquerque Salsa Fiesta can only mean one thing a hot time in Albuquerque! See you at Old Town in Albuquerque and enjoy a day of salsa, dips and chips, wine, music and dance Saturday September 24th from 1:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Albuquerque’s annual salsa fiesta attracts thousands and allows you to choose the very best home made salsa around. If you wish to participate in the salsa tasting contest y simply pay $4 to taste the well kept secret sauces and cast your vote. The winners of the contest will win
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john mccormack: Albuquerque Firefighter Turns Devastation Into Beauty
- 09/20/11 04:09 AM
Albuquerque Firefighter Turns Devastation Into Beauty Albuquerque Firefighter Joseph Mark Chavez took it upon himself to turn devastation of the 2003 Albuquerque wildfire along Albuquerque’s Bosque into a beautiful place for the public to enjoy. This Albuquerque area was severely affected by the 2003 Bosque wildfire. Fireman Chavez took it upon himself to turn such a tragedy into a unique and artistic form of love for Albuquerque’s Bosque. Chavez used scorched Cottonwood tree stumps that were intact into eye catching and heart warming works of art. Enjoy the amazing chainsaw carvings at the Pueblo Montano picnic and trailhead area located
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john mccormack: Albuquerque City Zoo Has A New Baby Giraffe
- 09/14/11 05:04 PM
The ABQ Bio Park announced the Albuquerque city zoo has a new baby Giraffe! Friday lucky zoo visitors actually witnessed the birth of the healthy 150-pound giraffe! Mom June began showing signs of labor around 1p.m. and gave birth at 2:30 p.m. It’s amazing but the calf was up and walking within an hour and half of being born! Zoo medics have not gotten close enough to the baby to tell if it’s a boy or girl so Albuquerque’s new baby giraffe has not been named at this time. June has raised 6 calves at the Albuquerque Zoo and she’s
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john mccormack: Mom It's Dinner Time
- 09/14/11 12:03 PM
We enjoy the daily chirps and flapping of wings of the baby House Finches as they call out Mom it’s dinner time! One late Albuquerque afternoon while watching their antics we noticed the female House Finch fly to the feeder get a single grain then fly back to feed each baby one by one. This went on till all babies were fed meaning numerous trips for mom. It seems odd that the babies are as large as the adults, can fly and yes seemingly able to feed themselves. We couldn’t resist this great photo op never dreaming we’d zoom in close
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john mccormack: Albuquerque Prairie Dogs
- 09/12/11 12:03 PM
Prairie Dogs are odd-looking critters and can be seen all around Albuquerque. I spotted this colony of Albuquerque Prairie Dogs in a local school playground. It was almost as if they posed just for the camera. They’re controversial critters in Albuquerque with animal activist on one-side and city officials on the other. They’re notorious for burrowing up landscape from private yards to Albuquerque International Sunport runway. No matter which side of the fence you’re on this Prairie Dog photo op was just too good to pass up.
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john mccormack: Petroglyph Art Shares Stories of Ancient Past
- 09/12/11 02:05 AM
A favorite stop for Albuquerque tourist and locals alike is the Petroglyph National Monument. This special place and the petroglyph art shares the stories of an ancient past. The images left behind were created by slowly pecking through the outer layer of rock and leaving a lighter color stone showing through. The art and stories they tell have survived over 3,000 years for us all to see, enjoy and reflect on. Some of the petroglyph art were created much later around the 1700’s when Spanish colonist came through leaving images of crosses, horses and domesticated animals. Archaeologist claim to have explained
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john mccormack: Spotted Woodpeckers Nesting in Albuquerque Bosque
- 09/11/11 05:25 AM
While walking through the Bosque (Cottonwood Forrest) here in Albuquerque the other day we noticed two very attractive Spotted Woodpeckers busy at work nesting, they both seemed to have their individual roll. One stayed on watch while the other gathered more nesting materials. I captured this picture of Mom taking a rest from the flurry of activity.Whether you enjoy walking, hiking, biking, birdwatching, photography or just being still their is abundance of fun and relaxing things to do in and around Albuquerque New Mexico. We would be happy to offer you some great tips on what to do and where.
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john mccormack: Wow! What a treat
- 09/05/11 05:09 PM
While enjoying the beauty of Palo Duro Canyon we spotted these two wild turkeys! Instantly we went into silent mode as I hurriedly turned on the camera. Normally turkey will not let humans get near them much less linger to be photographed. These beautiful turkeys were busy pecking wild seeds, eating bugs and seemingly totally ignoring us.
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john mccormack: She is no ordinary home inspector! Albuquerque's Best!
- 09/02/11 03:37 AM
While in the mountains of Taos NM last weekend taking some much needed R&R. I was standing on the deck of our cabin and noticed our high energy Schnauzer conducting a little Home Inspection of the place. As you can see by the photos she was quite willing to get down and dirty and sniff out all possible defects. Sure enough this was a bad drain allowing the elements and vermin in. I told you..She is no ordinary home inspector. ;>) See below for some actual home inspectors I highly recommend in the Albuquerque, NM area. If your looking for
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john mccormack: I'd like to find a good topless bar
- 08/31/11 02:21 AM
I had a really awkward yet funny situation arise just the other day. I was working with a very pleasant couple who are moving to Albuquerque from Texas. We were looking at about 15 homes this day alone so we were enjoying some good conversation between properties. My clients mentioned as we passed a particular Church that they were of that same denomination and so we conversed about this subject a bit more. After brief pause and just a few moments later the husband states “I’d like to find a good topless bar”. I hesitated a moment then said something like
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