A -11
Are you ready for the Memorial Day Weekend? The clear skies of New Mexico await, and we have placed on order at least one memorable sunset for the weekend. The time is growing short, so you will need to make those travel and lodging arrangements soon, if you haven't already.
Check page 13 of this thread for an easy means of booking a room at the Howard Johnson's on Pan American. As far as I know, that's the hotel of choice for this event. The last we checked there were still some rooms available at under $40/night. If your budget is tight, you can skip car rental and bum rides from other participants. I can't help estimate your travel costs, because that will depend on how well you do on airline tickets. Folks tell me that air fares are very, very reasonable this year.
The cost of meals should also be reasonable. For those arriving at Corazon before, say, 6 p.m. on Friday the 23rd, there will be a dinner at the County Line Restaurant up near the Tramway terminal. This is a fine restaurant for BBQ, steaks, etc., with generous portions at moderate entree costs. From the dinning room windows we will be able to watch the sunset at around 8-8:30 p.m. We will wait to reserve a table until we know for sure how many will be attending. The cost of dinner should be under $20 even if you have a big appetite. If people want, we can return to Corazon after dinner for conversation, games, star gazing, or an evening swim in the pool.
On the 24th, we expect a full day of social intercourse at Corazon. Breakfast at Wech's (just off Montgomery between the hotel and Corazon will almost certainly be more than you can eat for under $12 (you'll probably end up with a "doggy-bag"). Coffee, tea (many varieties), and perhaps some pastries will be available during the morning for those with small appetites. Around lunch we will have watermellon and fresh fruits. The group may decide to send out for pizza, fried chicken, or hamburgers for a more substantial lunch. During the afternoon we expect to have "finger-foods" (nuts, salsa, chips, etc.) strategically placed around the conversation centers. We will be supplying a variety of cold drinks and soda pop. Our bar is reasonably well stocked, and we keep on hand a couple varieties of good single malts. Being a diabetic, I can no longer drink good beers and so I keep on had some non-alcoholic Coors. Participants can purchase wines or beers of their own choosing at a fine package goods store less than a mile from Corazon.
Dinner on the 24th is still not settled. Personally, Natalie and I favor eating at La Pinta on the north edge of town down near the Rio Grand. Entrees there would probably be on the order of $7-$15. It is a good New Mexican restaurant with lots of ambiance, and dishes that aren't too spicy for those unfamiliar with our foods. The alternative is to cater a dinner here at Corazon.
So far the catered menu looks like this. Five dozen tamales, $25; two dozen chicken/beef enchaldas, $40; four pounds of Carne adobo, $35 ; a half gallon of refried beans and a half gallon of spanish rice, $10; two dozen sopapias, $25. As you can see that comes to something over $135 before taxes. The pro-rata share would be something like $12-$15/person. We are assuming 12-14 for dinner, but that number may not be very accurate since we still are unsure of how many people will be eating dinner with us on the 24th. We would need to order by May 22nd, and pick up the food at four different suppliers during the afternoon of the 24th. The food would be reheated at Corazon and served buffet style. Our dinning room can seat 14, so we could all sit around a long table where conversation might be uninterrupted. Afterwards, the group would need to help us clean up because I just can't afford hiring help for the evening.
All in all, Natalie and I would prefer eating out on the 24th and returning to Corazon for conversation, games, etc. until people return to their hotel.
We expect that on Sunday the 25th, the number of people in attendance at Corazon will begin to diminish. Roger will be leaving for Farmington sometime, probably in the mid-late afternoon. Some have expressed interest in driving up to Sandia Crest, and from there to the art colony at Madrid. If people didn't want to go on to Madrid, they could take a five mile walk along the mountain top (really great views from over !0,000 ft. above sea level) to the Tram station, where they could ride the tram back down the mountain to Albuquerque. Other nature walks along the Rio Grand, or through the Petroglyph National Park are also options. Many like to stroll through Old Town to savor something of the Southwestern history of our area. In the Old Town area there are museums, churches and adobe architecture. Sunday, might also be a good day for shopping if anyone is interested in Indian jewelry, Katchinas, pottery, etc.
Dinner for Sunday the 25th is unscheduled at this time, because we are unsure of what sub-group activities might develop. Some participants will be leaving during the 25th, and their schedules will probably be an important determining factor in what they choose to do. Natalie and I expect to spend the day at Corazon visiting with those who stay in town, or helping guide folks to the activities they choose to pursue. Lunch at Corazon will probably be ad hoc.
We have no set plan for the 26th, but will try to accomodate the desires of anyone who is still around.
. I can't wait, really.
