One Year

 

Time flies by so fast that things tend to become a blur. It is crazy to realize that it has already been a year since I relocated to New Mexico. I remember just a year ago how I was a mix of excitement and nerves making the drive from Denver. Once I hit the “Welcome to New Mexico” sign my nerves calmed and the excitement took over. I was excited to get to experience so many new things for the first time. The idea of being a tourist in a new state was something to look forward to that I decided to start documenting it, first in photos, and then writing about it. On the one-year mark what better time to look back at what can only be described as a very adventurous first year in the Land of Enchantment. 

The first lesson which was quickly learned is to not move during the Balloon Fiesta, so while Albuquerque would have to wait it did allow the chance to experience Red River and Taos. Taos was a great town to experience, especially the plaza with all its history. I didn’t realize at the time how historical New Mexico really was and being the history fan I am it gave me something to look forward to going forward. Red River in the fall is nothing short of beautiful. Watching the colors of the leaves change in the northern New Mexico mountains was a very relaxing way to begin my move down here. Ultimately though I couldn’t wait to get down to Albuquerque, settle in, and start exploring. 

Once down here I knew I wanted to explore everything this city had to offer including museums, hiking, culture, food, and anything historical. I remember truly walking around Old Town for the first time and learning about the history of the plaza and how in awe I was about the age of the buildings. I instantly fell in love with how close I was to the Sandia, and how no matter where I am in the city I can always see and get to it easily. I loved how the hiking even had history involved with the first time I explored the Petroglyphs. Even a year later I feel like I have seen and experienced so much, but I also know I have only scratched the surface of what New Mexico has to offer. 

A year later, not a lot has changed. I still love living in New Mexico and going on adventures whenever the time allows. I still love going to Old Town, and it seems like I see something new every time I go down there. The number of museums I have gone to continues to grow, but there are still so many to see. Isotopes games in the summer are a great way to spend a night. Even things I didn’t expect have quickly become some of my favorites. There is nothing like waking up and seeing a sky filled with hot air balloons or seeing the Sandia turn bright pink during sunset. Words and photos don’t do that justice, and I am lucky enough to see it every day. 

Also, the opportunities this state has presented me are things I never thought would happen. I never thought I would be published, yet one of my photos was. I never thought people would read a blog about being new to a state, yet here I am still writing with no intentions of slowing down. Moving here was a huge risk, and in turn I feel it made me more of a risk taker to explore, and document all my adventures. This past year was a blast, and I can’t wait to see what the next year and those that follow bring. With each new adventure I see something new, and more that I want to see at some other time. This state has so much to see and do that I look forward to putting check marks next to items on my New Mexico bucket list. 

To see photos of my adventures follow me on Instagram @the_nm_tx or tag me using #thenmtx
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