Southwest
I'm heading to Albuquerque for a work conference and my colleagues have convinced me to arrive earlier to check out the national parks in the area. I hopped onto my United flight and had to layover in Denver en route to Albuquerque.
Once I arrived and met up with my colleagues, grabbed my rental from Dollar and drove off in my VW Passat. I was looking forward to the Passat as I have been thinking of getting one and thought it will be a good test if I really wanted one or not.
Headed north to Cortez, Colorado for half a day and arrived at the vacation lodge found on Romantic Vacation Rentals. A very lovely home and not an unreasonable rate for the size. We had bought groceries before getting to the rental so our meals were mostly home made during the weekend.
The next day, headed out to Mesa Verde Park to check out how the Indians lived in the area. I had done no research and completely relied on my colleague and the schedule that was planned out. I was pleasantly surprised that the hikes that were planned ended up being very manageable and it was interesting seeing the cliff dwellings constructed in these canyons.
The next day, headed out to Monument Valley Park which is part of a Navajo reservation. I was impressed with the buttes in the park and liked that it was a car trail throughout the park. You can also camp inside the park if you were inclined. Before heading out, we did a walking trail around one of the buttes.
The next day was our last day of the "pre-trip" and we headed out to the Four Corners. I didn't realize that there is only one spot in the nation that there are four states that connect and it is the Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico corner. The Corners is in the middle of a Navajo reservation so the monument isn't much but a plaque on the ground. There are four sections of vendors on the exterior with resident Indians from each state selling local wares. Tip: Navajo reservations are considered sovereign and no sales tax is collected.
Afterwards, drove back to Albuquerque and checked into the Sheraton Albuquerque Hotel. I opted to stay at a Starwood for the double points promotion and it was the cheapest hotel in town that I could justify having a rental for a conference. I did not spend much time in the hotel but I thought the lounge was nice. I'm still spoiled by the Doubletree Carson breakfast buffet and passed on the semi-continental breakfast in the Sheraton lounge. The few times I went by in the evenings, the snacks and desserts appeared good.
I dined at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Starbucks, Banh Mi Coda on 230-C Louisiana Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, Sushi King & Noodles on 118 Central Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, and Golden Crown Panaderia.
On the first night of the conference, I took my colleagues to Pappadeaux. I haven't been to one in a long time. Makes sense since I haven't been to Texas in a long time. I enjoyed my shrimp and grits. The sweet potato pie and the pumpkin bread pudding was ok. I might try something else next time. The plates are easily shareable so don't go in full or split with someone.
On the second night of the conference, we were too full from the reception to do anything but enjoy some coffee and dessert at Starbucks.
On the last day of the conference, I opted to go to Sushi King for lunch. Downtown Albuquerque isn't much of a downtown but easily walkable. I checked out my United Dining Rewards options and it pointed me to the sushi restaurant. The food was good and the service was efficient. If I was not on company per diem, I'm not sure if I would order here. For dinner, the reception was a smorgasbord of New Mexico fare. The Cube BBQ was a caterer for the event which was nice. I was meaning to visit the bbq restaurant as it was featured on Diners Dives & Drive Ins. I enjoyed the BBQ and the desserts were pretty good too.
On my way out of Albuquerque, I wanted to grab a bite for the plane. I found a Vietnamese sandwich shop and visited Banh Mi Coda. The food was good but I found it interesting that the amount of meat was proportionally greater than what I'm used to. I can only assume it is tailored to the local folks. I also visited Golden Crown Panaderia as it was also featured on Diners Dives & Drive Ins. I was not impressed with the biscochitos. Not my kind of cookie. I didn't try the signature bread and maybe I should have since I was stuck at the airport for five hours due to flight delays!
Once I arrived and met up with my colleagues, grabbed my rental from Dollar and drove off in my VW Passat. I was looking forward to the Passat as I have been thinking of getting one and thought it will be a good test if I really wanted one or not.
Headed north to Cortez, Colorado for half a day and arrived at the vacation lodge found on Romantic Vacation Rentals. A very lovely home and not an unreasonable rate for the size. We had bought groceries before getting to the rental so our meals were mostly home made during the weekend.
The next day, headed out to Mesa Verde Park to check out how the Indians lived in the area. I had done no research and completely relied on my colleague and the schedule that was planned out. I was pleasantly surprised that the hikes that were planned ended up being very manageable and it was interesting seeing the cliff dwellings constructed in these canyons.
The next day, headed out to Monument Valley Park which is part of a Navajo reservation. I was impressed with the buttes in the park and liked that it was a car trail throughout the park. You can also camp inside the park if you were inclined. Before heading out, we did a walking trail around one of the buttes.
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| Monument Valley Park |
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| Monument Valley Park |
The next day was our last day of the "pre-trip" and we headed out to the Four Corners. I didn't realize that there is only one spot in the nation that there are four states that connect and it is the Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico corner. The Corners is in the middle of a Navajo reservation so the monument isn't much but a plaque on the ground. There are four sections of vendors on the exterior with resident Indians from each state selling local wares. Tip: Navajo reservations are considered sovereign and no sales tax is collected.
Afterwards, drove back to Albuquerque and checked into the Sheraton Albuquerque Hotel. I opted to stay at a Starwood for the double points promotion and it was the cheapest hotel in town that I could justify having a rental for a conference. I did not spend much time in the hotel but I thought the lounge was nice. I'm still spoiled by the Doubletree Carson breakfast buffet and passed on the semi-continental breakfast in the Sheraton lounge. The few times I went by in the evenings, the snacks and desserts appeared good.
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| Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown |
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| Sheraton Albuquerque - toiletries included nail polish remover! |
I dined at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Starbucks, Banh Mi Coda on 230-C Louisiana Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, Sushi King & Noodles on 118 Central Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, and Golden Crown Panaderia.
On the first night of the conference, I took my colleagues to Pappadeaux. I haven't been to one in a long time. Makes sense since I haven't been to Texas in a long time. I enjoyed my shrimp and grits. The sweet potato pie and the pumpkin bread pudding was ok. I might try something else next time. The plates are easily shareable so don't go in full or split with someone.
On the second night of the conference, we were too full from the reception to do anything but enjoy some coffee and dessert at Starbucks.
On the last day of the conference, I opted to go to Sushi King for lunch. Downtown Albuquerque isn't much of a downtown but easily walkable. I checked out my United Dining Rewards options and it pointed me to the sushi restaurant. The food was good and the service was efficient. If I was not on company per diem, I'm not sure if I would order here. For dinner, the reception was a smorgasbord of New Mexico fare. The Cube BBQ was a caterer for the event which was nice. I was meaning to visit the bbq restaurant as it was featured on Diners Dives & Drive Ins. I enjoyed the BBQ and the desserts were pretty good too.
On my way out of Albuquerque, I wanted to grab a bite for the plane. I found a Vietnamese sandwich shop and visited Banh Mi Coda. The food was good but I found it interesting that the amount of meat was proportionally greater than what I'm used to. I can only assume it is tailored to the local folks. I also visited Golden Crown Panaderia as it was also featured on Diners Dives & Drive Ins. I was not impressed with the biscochitos. Not my kind of cookie. I didn't try the signature bread and maybe I should have since I was stuck at the airport for five hours due to flight delays!
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