An Inspired Cook

I have an ever growing bucket list of things to see and do in New Mexico.  It’s coming up on one year since we moved back to the Land of Enchantment and we haven’t been disappointed one bit.  My home state is full of beauty whether it be the colorful landscapes or vivacious sunsets.  We are diverse in culture and within those cultures have some of the most artistic souls.  Every corner of the state has something to offer.  Even in my own backyard I am in in awe of the nature all around us.  A pair of roadrunners visit each day as they go back and forth hunting and making their nest.  We also see quail, hawks, black crows and even a coyote that have roamed through the yard. The coyote was a bit close for comfort but I was in awe nonetheless.  Last weekend we went to the Albuquerque Botanical Gardens and Aquarium.  It was a first for Joe and I, it opened in 1996 when we were in our third year of Kansas life.  Now that I’ve experienced it, I can say that it doesn’t disappoint, in fact it surpassed my expectations.  The ABQ Bio park is a magnificent place and I can’t wait to check out the rest of the park which includes the ABQ Zoo.  I hope to go back to the gardens every season as the colors change and new flowers begin to bloom.  Take a walk with us as we explore the trails of the ABQ Botanical Gardens.  This is the Spring edition!

Here is your passport with maps to the exhibits for the Botanical Gardens and Zoo.

As you walk into park there will be different exhibits and trails in which to wander.  The grounds cover 36 acres with conservatory exhibit buildings that house 10,000 square feet of plants native to the Mediterranean climate zones including Spain, Portugal, Turkey, South Africa, Australia and Chile.  The other conservatory includes plants native to the North American desert.

I would bet that there are weddings held here under the canopy of Wisteria vines.  The sun wasn’t quite at the right angle to see the sunlight shine through but it was a very serene place.  I especially loved the trees entangled in vines.

Wisteria vines . . .

Wisteria flower

Fountain of flowers

The next group of flowers are from the Mediterranean Exhibit.

While I don’t remember most of the names of the flowers we saw, this one stuck with me.  It’s called a Bottle Brush and you’ll know why when it blooms  . . .

What an unusual flower!  The tiny little specks of gold virtually glow on each bristle.

Some desert plants from the North American Desert exhibit

This should be called Beauty and the Beast!

Turtle back

Inside the Japanese Gardens

Walking among the Japanese gardens

Not the end of our journey but the end of my battery.  Next time I’ll bring a backup.  More to come this Summer.