
Happy Halloween! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend, and are excited for the night to come. We finally settled on appropriate costumes for both kids, and we’ll have a bookworm and a ‘throwback’ coach (think short-shorts and sweatbands!) headed out tonight. I’ve got my sights set on all the Twix and Kit Kats…what about you?
A few weeks ago, Mr. Sugarplum and I slipped away for a quick getaway to a spot I’ve been anxious to explore for awhile. I’ve been to Santa Fe and Taos a few times, but had never really explored Albuquerque. My aunt has been raving about this often-overlooked town in New Mexico for years, so we finally had a chance to check it out for ourselves…and it did not disappoint!

Flying in over the Sandia Mountains gave us an exciting peek of what was to come…gorgeous terrain, amazing hiking, jaw-dropping sunsets, and endless sunshine. It was an active-lover’s dream. In fact, had it not been for the excessive amount of New Mexican food we inhaled, I might have actually lost a pound or two!















Our hotel had cruiser bikes available, and the entrance to the Rio Grande River Trail just a short ride away. I preferred pedaling through the nearby stunning neighborhood of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and Casa Rodeña Winery.





















Albuquerque doesn’t get the same attention as nearby Santa Fe, but neither does it have the crowds. It’s also really easy to get to since you fly directly into ABQ, so it makes the perfect home base for exploring much of the beauty New Mexico has to offer. Can you believe many of these pics were captured on my iPhone? And no filters necessary…Mother Nature does her own technicolor filter for you.
See more of our Travel Adventures here.
What a great little trip! Absolutely LOVED the pic of you in the dress in front of that white doorway!
Looking so lovely ♥
Okay, this was not a place on my bucket list, but you make it look so delightful. Maybe I should go???
Ummm-sign me up! We ski in Santa Fe every February, but have never been to ABQ. It looks incredible and like a perfect spot for a long weekend. Oh, and it's not just you–those formations look phallic to me as well (hee hee)!
Omg, your comment about the rock formations killed me! In grad school during a critique, I commented that another student's desktop accessories all came off as really phallic, and she didn't understand the term, so then I had to explain "phallic" and pretty much died.
Also, super inspired to take a trip to ABQ, those views were incredible!! Thanks for living a pretty cool life and sharing it 🙂
I'm dying to see pics of the old school coach's outfit! That's such a funny, creative idea! Happy Halloween!
Looks like a fun trip. You always share what you wear (and eat!) on a trip, how about a packing post? How you decide what to take, wear on the plane, what shoes/boots to wear for all that walking … packing well is something we all struggle with. #overpackingitsathing
Thanks Patricia! I try to post pics of everything I wear, and hopefully that also shows what I packed! The outfit pics are true depictions of what I had on throughout the trip. Would it be helpful if I showed flatlays of all of it, too, or a pic of everything together? Let me know how you'd like me to incorporate more of the packing aspect and I'll work on it! 🙂 xo
What a fabulous trip! Sedona, AZ is my favorite place on earth, but this looks like a good option too–and a little closer to home!
~Jenny
http://www.introvertsguidetosobriety.com/shopping/what-i-did-this-weekend/
We love El Pinto too! It's been several years since we've been to ABQ, you're making me want to go back. I hope you got to see some hot air balloons while you were there!
gorgeous pics! our family went last year to the hot air balloon festival, and their photos are just amazing. this place is on my list, so can't wait to try those restaurant recs.
thanks,
b
Lovely photos! The first one you posted looks like a post card! Love all your outfits too. It seems as though I should add this to my travel list. I love vacations that involve beautiful landscapes and hiking.
I lived in Abq. for 15 years and El Pinto is the BEST for both food and ambience; glad you found it!
The photo of you facing the sunset is absolutely beautiful!
OK, adding Albuquerque to my must-visit list! I would love to take my drone there to capture those amazing landscapes. Although, I would be so scared of seeing rattlesnakes on those hikes! 😉
Oh, don't think I didn't have my eyes glued to the ground when we were hiking!!! 🙂
So much fun and so pretty there! Love all the outfit ideas and activities/food tips! We are headed there on Sunday and can't wait! Thank you for this trip post!! : )
Hi Cassie! Thank you so much for the shout-out! It was surreal for me to see you at El Pinto, as I've been a long time reader, but never commented. I must say that you and your hubby were seriously even more adorable in person (if that's even possible!). Thank you for being so kind and sweet–it was fun to chat with you two, and so crazy to run into you there considering neither of us live in NM! Loved reading your recap of ABQ, and thanks again for being such a darling blogger who inspires so many!
Erin
Erin!! You're the best…it was so fun to see you and your darling girls! Let's meet at El Pinto every year! 🙂 xo
The landscape looks gorgeous! I've always wanted to go to the hot air balloon festival that ABQ hosts every year but your pics make me want to see even more than balloons! 🙂