Celebrating year 2 in NM

For our 2nd anniversary we flew back to New Mexico to celebrate it along with Oktoberfest. We left Thursday so that we would have two full days in NM.

Friday we drove to Cloudcroft and then drove further into the mountains to the Solar Observatory. As we drove into the mountains, we stopped on the side of the road to take pictures of the old railroad trellis that use to run through the mountains.

To Cloudcroft, the view of the trellis.

Once we got to Cloudcroft, we walked through town, visited the shops, and ate at our favorite restaurant. Despite being in the NM mountains, this little hole in wall had the best shrimp boil. And we had just barely missed the last one! The shrimp boils were Thursday night. Though we had flown in Thursday afternoon, we didn't make it.

Buzz's sad face...no shrimp today.

Haynes Canyon Vista, on the way to the Observatory.

The next stop was the solar observatory. Though we had driven all over the state, we had never been to this little spot. Some of the darkest night in the US are found in this area of NM. We walked around the museum and then decided to go check out the telescopes. You could actually walk into the buildings that housed two of the telescopes.

Just outside of the museum.

Only 1/3 of this telescope is above ground.

The oldest telescope on the premises.

As we walked back around to the first telescope, we spotted a herd of deer. There was a small trail that led behind the telescope's building. In an effort to get a better look at the animals, we decided to take a walk. We were within feet of all of the animals. The funny thing was the first time we walked past that area I had a feeling that we were being watched by deer. However, I couldn't see any of them. Apparently, they had been just beyond our view the first time around.

Saturday we stayed in town. Once we woke up, we headed to our favorite breakfast place, the Pancake and Waffle Shoppe. We use to eat there once every weekend. Driving by the place, you wouldn't think anything of it. However, it is packed from the moment it opens at 6 am. After breakfast and spending the morning around town, we headed back to the hotel to watch the Purdue game. Unfortunately, they did not do so well. At half time, we headed out the door to Oktoberfest.

Buzz's favorite Pub, now closed.

Oktoberfest is held on the military base, so it easiest to take the bus in. We got there by 4, took in the festivities, and found a table to sit. The event begins with the band marching into the hanger. Both the US and German national anthem is sung. Afterwards, you are free to grab a drink in any of the multiple 'gardens' for beer, wheat beer, or wine.

Festivities inside the hanger.

Two Bengals fans along way from home.

Plenty of drinks for all.

Relaxing in the wine garden with new friends.

This was the first year we didn't know a lot of people at Oktoberfest. However, we quickly made new friends. We all decided to meet at the same table next year.

Jazz by the Boulevard

Towards the middle of September, Buzz and I headed down to the cultural district to enjoy some jazz. This was the first year either one of us had attended. I heard about the event on the radio one morning. Since I love jazz, I just had to check it out.

The main stage.

While we were there, we got to watch the Culinary Art School make two different dishes. The first was a mango and pineapple salsa; the second was a bean dip. Since then, we've made our own mango salsa that has gotten rave reviews from family and friends.

The last picture is your truly, standing to the side of the main stage.