Mama's Holiday AKA... I Got Away!!

The last time I visited my folks I read one of my childhood books to the children.  I think it was More Tales of Oliver Pig, written by Jean Van Leeuwen.  In this book was a story where Oliver and Amanda Pigs mama goes away for a short "holiday".  Something about this story struck a chord within me.

For me, getting away from all of the children is a serious rarity.  Honestly, it was long overdue for me to get away.  Last November, I was starting to feel weary...not much to give anyone.  I really needed a recharge!  It's not easy though for me to ask for the money for such a luxury as a plane ticket, when we need to buy grocieries, pay bills, etc.

At Christmas, I was given a little money from parents, and in-laws.  I had thought to myself...I could either buy myself something fun....or go somewhere!  After some honest discussion with my husband, and a call to a wonderful friend.  I decided to purchase a plane ticket.

I will be honest...I had a bit of anxiety when purchasing my ticket.  It had been so long since doing something so exciting.

Needless to say, the first Thursday on February, C-Dawg, and I boarded an airplane for Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Thankfully C-dawg still counts as a lap baby. He did really great for a super busy toddler.  We were able to have a whole row to ourselves on our last leg of the trip. Yes, I didn't totally get away by myself, but it is amazing how easy it seems with just one, when you are used to three.

I lived in New Mexico for a short but very happy time in my life.  It was good to go back.  We hadn't returned since we moved from ABQ in 2006.  I had several places I really wanted to go to, eat at, and see..for old times sake.  My friend Ann was so willing to do whatever I wanted!  I know, she herself was needing a bit of a "holiday" too.

Happy Hour at El Pinto

The beautiful Sandias

Post walk refreshments from Kaktus Brewing Company - Nut Brown Ale

Sand Hill Cranes

We headed to Santa Fe via the New Mexico Rail Runner.  This was new since we lived in ABQ.  What a great mode of transportation.  The Saturday market in Santa Fe was so fun.  This time of year it is mostly indoors.  It must be amazing during the Summer.  So many good New Mexican foods!  I could see myself riding the train up to Santa Fe just to buy my vegetables.

New Mexico Rail Runner - this is a super fun ride to Santa Fe!  

A short walk to the Santa Fe indoor/outdoor Saturday market.

The smell of this chile was intoxicating!  The color so vibrant.

The waiting area was filled locals
We knew it had to be good.  It was!

Chile relleno, enchilada, taco, posole, and a tamale.
So good, but I couldn't eat it all.  Plus lots of green chile!

Sopapillas the size of your head!  Yummm!

We wandered the streets of old Santa Fe.  It is a fun place to just wander in and out of shops.  I loved all the art work and architecture as well.  The plaza was a great place to see folks selling their wares, and jewelry and listen to a man playing his accordian.

C-dawg and Ann in the Plaza of Santa Fe

 I used to do some prescribed fire work in the Jemez Mountains.  A truly gorgeous place!  2011, and 2013 brought large wildfires to the area.  I wanted to see for myself how much of the area had been changed.  The Valles Caldera for a long time has been maintained as a preserve, and kept at minimal visitation levels.  I felt very lucky to have spent time in the caldera.  It will be interesting to see what happens now that the management has been changed from the US Forest Service to National Park Service.

The meadows of the Valles Caldera

The Valles Caldera - recently transferred to
the National Park Service.

Fun rock climbing area!

 We went for a short hike along the East Fork of the Jemez River.  If you get a chance to check out the Las Conchas trail, do it!  The trail was a bit snowy and icy when we were hiking, so we did not go as far as I would have liked.  I guess I'll have to go back!

East Fork of the Jemez River

As you can see, C-dawg was completely ignored the whole time.  He looks miserable...just kidding!  I think he enjoyed having his mama all to himself.  I do know he missed his Dad and siblings a lot.  They missed him too!

I came home with numerous jars of green chile, and green chile sauce, several bags of different chile powders, and some chicos ( a type of smoked and dried corn).  We've been eating green chile with every meal for the past week!

I was very glad to have gotten away for a long weekend.  It was what I really needed.  I laughed, drank good drinks, ate amazing food, soaked up much needed sun, went on adventures, and spent time with a special friend and her beautiful family.

My friend Ann's daughter used to be our babysitter, and so we have a very close bond with her too.  It was really neat to see how much she and her brother have grown into really special people.  I got a glimpse of my world in the realm of homeschooling and teenage life.  It made me excited to see what is ahead for us, but I also realized that I need to hold on to how special my world is right now.

I greatly appreciate my husband taking leave time for me, so that I could go away, and have some fun.  It sounded like the children had some fun while we were away.  We came home to lots of hugs, and stories of all the cool things they did and places that they went with Dad.

I am definitely missing Ann and New Mexico, but also glad to be back with my own peeps.

While my world here hasn't changed, I definitely have come home with a new perspective.

Yay for a mama's holiday!

Cheers!
~Forestry Mama