TAKING A WALK ON THE SOUTH SIDE--Hiking the Bosque in Southwest Albuquerque 2/24/2017

Ginny came up with a new hike for all of us.  We walk the Bosque quite a bit in the winter when we aren't snowshoeing or the weather on the mountain is not that pleasant.  This time Ginny took us down to the South Valley of Albuquerque to walk along the ditches of the Rio Grande and it made for a very interesting and unique perspective for us.  We began at the Historical Gutierrez-Hubbell House someday I will have to check that out.

( http://gutierrezhubbellhouse.org/history/ )

The Hoofers left to right: Mary M., Lynda, Missy, Robin (Lynda's guest), Ginny:our leader, Hilda, Pat, Betty, Jan, Jane, Barb, and...

...Rose...and yes it was quite chilly and windy!

The Gutiérrez-Hubbell House is a 5,700 square foot adobe structure that dates back to the 1860’s and symbolizes the mixing of Spanish, Anglo and Native American traditions & cultures during the Territorial Period, 1848-1912.

Heading Out

We were all impressed by the magnificent old cottonwoods that lined the hike

We saw a menagerie of animals on this property.  A Goat and a Steer 

Jane was petting these two beautiful and gentle horses

Mary M. had to pet them as well

As we started walking away the horses followed us along the fence

The goat became interested in us as well

He came closer to get a look

Showing off his fine set of horns

Hoping to be petted as well

Now the steer notices us

He, too, is eager for some attention

Not feeling the love...no one was willing to pet him!

Showing off his horns...very formidable

Quite a striking pose--and no I won't pet you either

Well now one of the dogs wants to join in to see what all the fuss is about---while the other dog yawns as he is not impressed with all the hoopla

Can I get some loving too?

Dog #2 slowly comes closer as he wants the attention now as well

But, alas, we did come here to hike not to play with the animals

Water in the ditch

Another massive Cottonwood

A dead antelope in the neighboring yard caught my eye

Then a deer...fortunately I found out that they were just targets for the hunter who lives here to practice shooting with...like, it is really hard to hit a target standing perfectly still

Crossing an acequia

A llama 

An Emu

One of the more expensive homes that were built along our trail

An Alpaca

Another Alpaca

I managed to catch these two ducks in flight as they took off from the ditch as we approached them

Did not want to embarrass anyone by taking pictures of us crossing the fences--actually we were all quite lady-like in our endeavour 

As we reached the open space park we saw these beautiful carvings

The details were incredible

Close up of the beaver's tail and the detail in the workmanship

Views of the Sandia Mountains

BernCo Bernie!

The sign says there are 7 Bernco Bernie plaques  located around the County...I think I have seen at least 2...this one and one at the Alameda Bachechi Open Space--now I feel like I have to go searching for the other 5... another addition to my bucket list!

I need to get this sign for my yard!

Heading back on the downside of our looped trail

Some beautiful horses just giving us a casual look-see

Catching some herons in flight as they took off from this field...in the distance are 3 llamas
(Thanks to Lynda --just found out that those are not herons but Sandhill Cranes..she has great eyes to tell what they are)

Catching more herons in flight Sandhill Cranes

Finally I get some on the ground before we spook them  (Sandhill Cranes again so what does a Heron look like?)

And, there they go!

A fitting finish at the end of the hike

A few of us stopped for lunch at a nearby Mexican restaurant  (Abuelita's)  Pat, Jan, Missy, Betty, Ginny, Barb, and...

Rose...the food was great...even though the chile was quite hot...my chile relleno was AWESOME!

Well, even though it was not a hard hike...it was a lot of fun...and sometimes you have to just take it easy and take in a little of the culture!