Monday's Fun, Fun Day

I don't have a way to get my photos off my camera until we get home, but I am trying to remember to snap a few with my phone so I can post along the way.  The quality of my phone photos are not the best, but it's better than nothing, right?

Monday morning we set out for the Sandia Peak Tramway for their first ride of the morning.  We tried to ride last night, but the winds were too strong and they had to shut it down.  The tram is the longest in the world at 2.7 miles long.  I takes you to the top in 15 minutes so it's moving at a fast clip!  We walked the trails for 2 hours looking for birds, but being 10'378 feet  of elevation, it's COLD and the kids cried uncle.

After our trip back down the mountain it was lunch time.  After a picnic back at the campground we headed to the aquarium and botanical garden.  After an exhausting day of walking, we finished our day with a quiet round of cards back at the camper.

Here are some more photos from the peak...

Heading up to the top... 9 am first run of the day.

 Tiny house on the bluff... used to house workers in the 1950's during the construction of the tram.  What a view to wake up to every morning!

 Snow still at the top of the mountain!

 But Amanda wasn't heavy enough to sink down like Logan!  There was an icy crust over the snow that she was able to walk on top of.

 The only family picture at the top... just before we headed back down at lunch time.

 On the way back down I thought it was pretty cool that you could see the shadow of the tram we were riding in.

 Passing another tram on it's way up the mountain.

 Here we are heading into the docking station at the bottom.

Now some photos from the Aquarium and Botanical Gardens:

Amanda and Logan were fascinated by this large-nosed puffer fish.  He was very playful too.

 Touch Tank with very informative staff person.

 Watch out, it squirts!

 Logan could have hung out here all day.  He LOVES a good aquarium!  He parked himself right in front of the biggest aquarium for at least 20 minutes!

 Groupers, Sea Turtles, Divers, and Sharks.  What more could a 9 year old want.

 But Amanda was not impressed.  She waited non to patiently until Logan was ready to move on.
 Then off to the children's garden we went.

WATCH OUT FOR THAT DRAGON!!!!

 In the ant tunnels:

 A Giants Garden!

 Don't get caught in that spider web!  You'll be a goner for sure!

 We made our way through the maze...

 ... to the giant birds nest.  Hope the momma bird doesn't come back soon.