It may be hard to believe but there is a bit of the Swiss Alps just outside Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Back in 1978 my family moved from a small farming town in northern Texas (Vernon) where it is very flat so I thought that the sight of the majestic Sandia Mountains was breathtaking. I enjoyed walking outside and seeing those mountains everyday that lived there.
I find myself once again living somewhere flat, that being the farmlands of central Louisiana, and I have to admit that my heart longs for the mountains and pine forests of the west and southwest.
There's nothing quite like the sound of the wind blowing through pine trees.
My family and I were surprised to learn that the longest aerial tramway in world (at the time) wasn't actually in the aforementioned Alps but actually in the Sandias.
For years I wanted to ride the tramway, but because of my fear of heights I was always reluctant to. One day a bunch of my friends talked me into it and it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. The thrill of ascending the mountain with it's unique view of the surrounding mountains and the city of Albuquerque below is something almost spiritual in a way.
From photos I've seen I had wished that I had made the trip on a snowy day. The images are spectacular to say the least.
From The Sandia Peak Website.
History:
Sandia Peak Tramway has taken more than 12 million passengers to the top of Sandia Peak and back again, and celebrated its 50th anniversary in May 2016. Located on the eastern edge of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, the tram is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Central New Mexico. A trip to Europe by Robert Nordhaus, who was one of the original founders and owners of the Sandia Peak Ski Company, inspired construction of the tram. Nordhaus came back with the idea of a tram similar to those he rode in Europe and, with partner Ben Abruzzo, they made the idea a reality. It would connect Albuquerque to the top of Sandia Peak, combining first-rate views with efficient transportation for skiers, avoiding a half-hour or more drive on an icy, curving mountain road.
No matter what time of day, the view is unparalleled. West across the Rio Grande and a volcano field, Mount Taylor rises, more than 100 miles away. To the north is Cabezon and Redondo Peak stands tall in the Jemez Mountains, rising from a caldera known as the Valle Grande, a volcanic crater reported to be the largest in the world. On the far horizon, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the capital city of Santa Fe. Farther to the south, the Estancia Valley and the Manzano Mountains frame the view.
No comments:
Post a Comment