Albuquerque is unlike anywhere I’ve ever seen before. It has a very different layout and its own charm for sure. It is far from easy to explain what I mean. But it’s a large city that’s pretty spread out and it just seems like someone was randomly walking by some land and pointed. Ya. That’s where I want this house. By nothing. But 1000 feet over you can see a neighbor because there is nothing but road and the person is on a completely different block. Christ this is terrible. 

Anyway. I had to drive for 2.5 hours in the morning from my vintage motel. 

The nice lady who gave me a ride back to my car when it broke down told me I needed to check out the AirTran in Albuquerque so it’s the first thing I did. I didn’t even have a place booked yet because I had no idea where the action in abq was going to be and I didn’t want to be that far. 

So I go straight to the tram and buy my ticket for $25 and head up the mountain. This is so cool. What a view. I’m such a sucker for nature and natural beauty. At the top of the mountain I got hit with the fuzzys. I felt like I was stoned out of my mine because the altitude was so unbelievably high. I asked some dude if it was normal and he laughed and said ya just to take it easy. 

So I took the mile hike it to this stone building at the peak of the mountain. People are such fuckers. Please to whoever reads this. Please. Whatever you bring camping or hiking or anywhere in the world with you bring it back out. Don’t fucking litter. There’s going to be a trash can guaranteed really close. Unless maybe you’re in the middle of no where but you should still hang onto you’re garbage. And if you don’t. I hate you. 

It was a pretty sweet hike. Not too strenuous and so incredibly beautiful. You can actually watch the rain fall onto other surrounding towns while you’re at the top. And then the fucker rolled in on me so I took off back to the tram. Haha

On the tram ride back down this older super nice couple was telling me about taking the hike up the mountain and you can see the debris for an airplane crash back in 1955 of a 20 passenger plane. They showed me pictures. It was crazy to see. I wish I had time to hike up and see it myself. On the way down I also booked my Airbnb. At this point I didn’t know where in the city was awesome or not so I figured fuck it. $33 for a nights stay is something I can’t argue with. 

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​I get there and meet the host Allen who is working on his breaks. We go inside and have a beer. Then one of the other dudes staying pops in and his name in Shane. This awesome older guy with a lot of energy and beaming smile and pours us a glass of green chilli beer which was surprisingly tasty. Lastly a younger kid who is 18 and is staying in the third room comes in. He’s traveling the country working and staying st organic farms for the next year. I thought that was so badass. Good for him. Takes a lot of courage in my opinion. 

I decide it’s nap time and it quickly turns into an hour because I’m so exhausted. When I wake up Shane is ready to go have a beer. Let’s do it man. 

Shane and I hop in my truck and head down to this local brewery that is packed with people. Good mix of people 21-35. As we are having beers a couple is standing behind us trying to grab a six pack to go. So I turn around and we both recognized eachother from the AirTran. 

Ronnie and I’m a bag of dicks so I can’t remember his wife’s name were both from Michigan but met in Vegas because of a hat. Super awesome couple. 

Side note: I have several people who are convinced I’m coming home with the girl I’m going to marry on this trip. Although I am not as optimistic as them I don’t dismiss any opportunities. 

Out of the conversation the thing that really struck a cord was between Ronnie and I. I had asked him about his move to Scottsdale Arizona from Michigan and if he missed his friends and family and how the move was in general because I’ve been seriously combating this idea for years now and I think it’s time to make it more than an idea. 

His response was:

At first I was like i don’t like this place in definetly going back to Michigan in a year. After a year I was like I like this place but I think I’m still going to go back to Michigan in another two years. And then after his third year I was like I love this place and I’m definetly not going back to Michigan. 

I asked him about his friends and family and he said. 

Of course you miss everyone. I’m lucky enough that two of my three brothers moved down here and now my wife. But every time I go back to Michigan it’s the same things. The same bars. The same food. The same things I left. I wanted more. And of course I love and miss my friends but I didn’t want t do the same thing anymore. And it’s why I won’t ever go back. 

-Thanks Ronnie. I needed to hear that more than you know buddy. 

I love my friends and family more than I could ever explain in words. But I need a new adventure. I’m hoping whatever happens I can get some to come along. And if not. At least to visit. It’s a really tough thought to think about leaving everything behind. But often the best decisions for yourself can also be the hardest. 

They bought us all a round and then I gave him and his wife a giant hug when they were leaving. Shane and I hung out for a few more minutes and headed to the lovely Mexican place filbertos for some late night stomach ache. Me being the fat asshole I am order two meals because I want to try multiple things. I paid for it in the morning. 

We got back and shot the shit. I learned a lot more about Shane. The dude just loves to travel, ride his bike, take care of his business and be free. He also convinced me to do a day in flagstaff instead of two in Sedona so the plan has been altered again. 🙂

Let’s get a good nights sleep and head out. Cheers everyone. I love you.