Albuquerque, just landed.

[aries63]

You found McCauley Hot (warm) Springs... great place! Especially in the cooler weather. Try out Spence hot springs also, there are multiple smaller pools scattered around there. Good to know they haven't closed the forest yet, especially with the fire that was (is?) burning up there. Hope you managed to stay out of the way of the poison ivy. In late spring/summer it's always a good idea to check for forest closures first before venturing out. It's a bummer to plan a hike and drive there, only to find the yellow tape blocking access to the trailhead. And they are strict about keeping people out during closures when the fire danger is extreme.

Many people choose the West Side for the reasons you gave, more (and newer) house for the money. I don't spend a lot of time at home so I'm content with a smaller, older house close to my job with no commute hassles. My car stays in the garage most days. I got involved with my neighborhood association during the first few years and would recommend that to anyone as a way to get to know people in your community. I commend you for getting involved with the animal shelter.

Being "one of those people" is great... too often you find people with weird priorities, a shiny new luxury car parked in the driveway of a broken-down dump of a house. You can bet the person makes some pretty bad decisions in other areas of life, too.

Obesity yes-- and New Mexico is one of the least obese states! But I just heard the word "globesity" used recently to describe the global obesity epidemic, as more developing countries like China get used to the American lifestyle of driving cars, using elevators, and eating greasy ground beef with cheese. Scary. They have the right idea in Japan, where employees can be fined and even fired for being too heavy, since they cost the company more $$ in healthcare costs over the long haul. Turns out it provides a great incentive to lose weight. But it would never fly in the "land of the free" where you have the freedom to eat your way to an early grave, while agribusiness and healthcare reap the profits. A slender, healthy population of walkers/hikers/runners who grow their own veggies and support CSA's would put a lot of people out of business.

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by aries63

... using elevators, ....

See?

Someone else ( besides me ) says that elevators cause obesity.

Of course, aries63 might "oppose the Americans With Disabilities
Act (ADA), and thus [is] discriminating against the disabled." -- <Snort!>

[aries63]

Originally Posted by mortimer

See?

Someone else ( besides me ) says that elevators cause obesity.

Yes, it was a story about how rural Chinese were finding jobs in office buildings in the cities, giving up physical labor, sitting in front of computers all day (uh-oh), trading bicycles for cars, and (horror of horrors) using elevators, not to mention eating at McDonalds. But to me it was just a fast-forward of the history of American obesity.

Instead of "play places", McDonalds (and other fast-food places) should install treadmills and stair-steppers. But they would probably prefer their clients have their heart attacks outside their restaurants.

[Mike Horrell]

Wait until they discover deep-fried Twinkies... (America's secret weapon in the fight for global dominance)..

[td333]

Went to Elephant Butte and Jemez Springs (twice already). Met some really cool people at Elephant Butte, everyone was really helpful. Our cars got stuck and our new neighbors helped us out then we partied all night and then went on their boat the next day. They treated us to burgers at the floating burger bar.

My Fiance is really getting on well here. She's met some really cool people down the street from our new house. Has already went horse riding with them.. camping, etc.

Jemez springs is beautiful!

My finance says she has done more here in the past month than she has in a long time.