New Mexico is waiting 08/25/2018

For the past several years Linda and I have met my brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Pat Hatfield, in Ruidoso, New Mexico for several days in the mountains.  Normally we would go to Lubbock, Texas to visit my nieces, Tami and Traci and their families. (Larry and Pat's kids).   On this trip Linda and I decided to fly to Albuquerque and rent a car.
Our first family trip to Ruidoso was in the late 1980's when we decided to bring the kids out for a white Christmas.  It was a great trip, lots of snow, and everyone enjoyed the visit.  Now it is just Linda and I, Larry and Pat.
Larry and Pat drove to Lubbock on Thursday and then traveled to New Mexico on Saturday.  Linda and I were scheduled to fly out on Saturday.  You can imagine our pleasant surprise, when on Friday, Delta notified us that we would receive a complimentary upgrade on our seats.
  We arrived at the airport and were informed the flight departure from Montgomery had been delayed 15 minutes.  No problem said the gate agent.  We still had time to meet our connecting flight in Atlanta.  While waiting in the terminal,  our departure time was pushed back again.  I called Larry and told him about our delay.  I did not have a good feeling about making our connecting flight in Atlanta.  The gate agent said not to be concerned,  there would be another Delta flight and they would put us on that,but it leaves in 12 hours. I saw our complimentary upgrade flying out the window.  Long story short, after another delay we arrived in Atlanta at D terminal.  Our flight was leaving  from A terminal.  We had about 20 minutes to make our gate.  Our trip through the Atlanta terminal was reminiscent of the O.J. Simpson airport commercials from the '80's.  We got on board just before the doors closed, but had serious reservations as to whether our luggage was as fast as we were.  Weather was good, great flight, the peanuts and cheese crackers were to die for.
When we landed in Albuquerque we went to claim our baggage.  Our suitcase was there, but my golf clubs were not to be seen.  We checked with Delta and were told they were in the oversized luggage area.  Crisis averted.  We went to Hertz, got our rental car, a Sonata Hybrid,  and had a very nice drive into the New Mexico mountains on our way to Ruidoso.  Larry and Pat were waiting.  Larry was grilling hamburgers.  Dinner was served.  Our New Mexico adventure was just beginning.

Deer love apples

View on U.S. 380

Land of enchantment

on the road again