Hi and intro from northern New Mexico

[astroclimb]

Have been lurking for about a month so thought I'd pass along an introduction as it looks like this is a great resource and community. Have resided in New Mexico (Los Alamos to be specific) raising family etc. for about 20 yrs. after growing up (have I grown up yet?) in So. Cal. Besides work and family, I've been a youth soccer coach for ~15 yrs, love to ride my bikes, and generally take advantage of the beauty of NM and the region.

Was taught photography by my step-father when I was ~12, took a couple of classes in college to get past the requirement for art, and have enjoyed it ever sense. Have gotten back into being more "serious" about photo in last 5 yrs or so, even going so far as to have built a small darkroom. I can't say I'm good photographer, but maybe someday.

Like most people these days, we're way too busy for our own good, which means that photography, which I love, is unfortunately a lower priority than I'd like. Alas, how to fix this.....

Cheers,

Todd Haines
aka astroclimb

P.S. Have attached photo taken near Bandilear, my scanning of the photo is poor (done on a cheap printer/copier/scanner/dishwasher) but I hope you enjoy.

 

[r-brian]

Welcome Neighbor

Enjoy the people here and make good use of all the knowledge.

Brian - Albuquerque

 

[Derek Lofgreen]

Welcome from Colorado Todd. My wife grew up in Los Alamos. Beautifull place. I love going to Bandilear too, so much to see there.

D.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Welcome from Washington DC.

 

[Dave Miller]

Welcome Todd.

 

[pesphoto]

HI,
Welcome, love New Mexico. Honeymooned at Ojo Caliente and Santa Fe

 

[AllenR]

Welcome from a few miles south of Albuquerque Todd.

 

[donbga]

Have resided in New Mexico (Los Alamos to be specific)

You're a lucky man, I love the Los Alamos area.

Have you ever been over to the Soda Dam in the Jemez Mts.?

 

[Black Dog]

Saludos amigo!

 

[astroclimb]

Yes indeed....

You're a lucky man, I love the Los Alamos area.

Have you ever been over to the Soda Dam in the Jemez Mts.?

We've stopped at the Soda Dam many times; been lucky enough to have the opportunity to drive through the Jemez from Albuquerque or Bernalillo home on many different occasions over the years. In fact, have gotten to do some excellent bike rides around the Jemez as well, though they're not stark and rugged like the Rockies (or eastern Sierras, or Alps, etc., etc.) they're beautiful mountains.

 

[david b]

hello from the Duke City!

 

[papagene]

Todd - welcome to APUG from western Massachusetts.

gene

 

[astroclimb]

Wow, what a great welcome!

Just a quick "thanks" for all the welcoming messages. Hope to contribute to the community.

TH

 

[snallan]

Hi Todd, welcome from the UK.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Welcome to the group, Todd.

 

[copake_ham]

Welcome to APUG from another cyclist who tries to juggle work, activities and places - not always all to well!

 

[Ian Leake]

Welcome Todd

 

[noseoil]

Hi Todd, from a few miles west of you. If you ever have the "pleasure" of breaking down in Bernalillo, as I did. Have breakfast at the VFW post. We needed a truck repair in the 70's and were told that there was a decent breakfast at the VFW post (?), so took a chance. It was wonderful and the beans were excellent, as were the huevos rancheros. When we got back to pay for the repair, the mechanic told us that the original part was broken by an over-tightening of a stud and a new one was added at no cost to us. Wonderful people in that town and I'm still enjoying the memory of breakfast. tim

 

[astroclimb]

Noisoil, great story...

...of friendly NM. One of my best memories of friendly NM (promise to not tell anybody or they might want to live here!) was just after we moved here from Calif. Even then in Ca. 2 or sometimes 3 forms of identification were required to e.g. write a check, purchase something on credit card, etc. We'd just moved here and were buying furninshings etc at a rapid pace. Were at furniture store in Santa Fe and wanted to purchase a piece on our Ccard, but had maxed it out. After being denited the cleark said "just write a check," didn't require ID or anything. It was a great intro. to the friendly side of NM.

Its still pretty much that way, as is Tucson as best I can tell from my visits there.

TH