Boise to ABQ Jan 24

Wed Jan 24 2018

(Dear reader: In order to get this blog program to show the oldest date first, you have to trick it by reversing the dates. So, when to get to the end click on "older posts" to continue) 

We are heading to Albuquerque for the annual meeting of the National Senior Games Assoc. We will attend various meetings and do a "venue tour" of the sites for the 2019 games which will be held here.

Took an Uber to the airport (seemed expensive at $28). Flew United uneventfully via Denver and arrived at our hotel (Doubletree) at about 5:00. Weather here is clear and sunny. The ABQ airport is beautiful! Very southwestern. "ABQ Sunport".

Thursday Jan 25

Our NSGA meetings didn't start until 2:00 this afternoon so after breakfast in the hotel we scouted around the neighborhood. Its a bit odd - unlike downtown Boise, there are NO residential properties and no retail stuff here around the convention center. The "action" is over on Central Ave (Rt 66) a few blocks south. Even that is a bit seedy looking. Another odd observation: again comparing it to downtown Boise, there is NO traffic! It feels like Sunday morning!

We checked out the public library which is quite impressive and, right across the street is the Catholic Church. We were there just in time for the 12:10 Mass!

The NSGA meetings this afternoon started with a Pacific Region meeting then a welcome from the brass and some stuff about submitting results; Fusesport reps Patrick and Kendall, not very interesting.

At 5:30 we were taken by bus over to the Albuquerque Museum for mariachi entertainment and "heavy" hors' deourves (sp?). The New Mexico Games people are going all out to welcome us to their fine city!

Venue tours tomorrow.

Friday Jan 26

Our day started with a presentation by NTS, a high caliber event planner. Although not relevant to us, it was an interesting discussion about hotel contracts, logistics management, etc. They do it all!

After a break, we loaded up our three buses and headed off on our first venue tour, to the brand new baseball/softball complex up on the hill. WOW. Its awesome! All turf fields, four full size baseball fields that can be easily converted to softball, even little league. With a great view of the Sandia Mtns.

Next stop was the Balloon Fiesta Park (famous for the 650 balloon event each summer). There is new Balloon Museum which they say is very good, a golf driving range and an area for flying drone and RC planes. This is where the road races, race walks, and archery events will take place. We had a nice buffet lunch in the pilots lounge, provided by the Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs.

Next stop was the Manzano Mesa Multicultural Center to see the brand new Pickleball facility. WOW, again! Then to the Jerry Cline Tennis complex to see 18 its tennis courts.

Next we went to the University of New Mexico campus where we saw the swimming and basketball venues, track and field stadium adjacent to the football stadium where the Celebration of Athletes will take place.

Returning to the convention center, after a break, we had the Dinner and Awards banquet. An excellent meal of chicken and filet minion. The main event was to celebrate the retirement of Becky Wesley who was retiring from NSGA after 20 years. We enjoyed some interesting entertainment from some seniors - barber shop, tap dancers, comedian and a Suziki Q-chord (?).

Tomorrow we have meetings n the morning but the afternoon looks free while the Board meets. We'll try to get down to Old Town. Tomorrow's dinner is at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Saturday Jan 27

The final day of the NSGA conference. This morning's sessions talked about PR and media relations. We heard a presentation from National Travel Systems about hotel contracting, etc. (Very intriguing).
The main topic, however, was the new event we are all excited about - Power Walking! (Its like Race Walking but less technical).

After our sessions we went on a tour of the convention center. This will be the venue for badminton, table tennis, volleyball and shuffleboard.  This place is gigantic! There was a college track meet going on which was fun to watch.

We had the afternoon off so we took a cab down to Old Town. We browsed around some beautiful art stores and some tourist curio shops. We enjoyed Mass at the San Felipe de Neri Church (built 1793) which included a renewal of vows ceremony for a 50 year couple! The Plaza is the focal point, surrounded by little markets and art shops.

Our dinner tonight was at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. After some time to explore the museum we were treated to fine meal, followed by some Native American entertainment - dancing and flute.

So the NSGA conference is over. The NM Organizing Committee did great job showing off their city and keeping us busy. The NSGA staff always presents and interesting and well organized program.
We've been this event enough times now that we've made some friends and look forward to the next event (maybe Louisville next year?) This is a fine bunch of folks, committed to the Senior Games "Movement".

We're stating three more days to explore the area some more. We'll go the airport in the morning and pick up a rental car. We'll return to Boise on Wednesday.

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