Reunion ’15 —Albuquerque & Santa Fe
Albuquerque
Balloon Fiesta
Casa Bonita
Piñon House
Santa Fe
Dining
Excursions
Museums / Galleries
NEW MEXICO is the “Land of Enchantment” . . .
and that is what we found!
Attendees included
Class of ’65: Jenny & Walt
Class of ’66: Crackey, Pat, Barb & Tom, Suzie & Peter, Ellie & Ed
Class of ’67: Marianna & Ron, Mary Ann & Dan, Kay & Rich, Julie, Marilyn
Class of ’68: Melon
Class of ’69: Mim & Hank, Linda, Sandy.
Reunion Week 2015 began in Albuquerque, with opening day of Balloon Fiesta as the main event. Before dawn, we shuttled to the Launch Field, to “ooh” & “ahhh” as a record-breaking 603 colorful balloons were unfurled right beside us, filled with hot air, and lifted off — so many creative and complex balloon designs against a bright blue cloudless sky. It was an amazing morning! That evening, Mim and Hank welcomed us to their beautiful home for a dinner celebration. “Newbies” (Ellie, Linda, and Sandy) were officially welcomed and embraced. A very special guest was another Alpha Chapter sister, Gail Busby ’52 (whom Mim met through their local alumnae chapter). Gail shared her memories of sisterhood during her college years on Comstock Avenue. Her cheeky wisdom inspired and delighted us! Before this special event ended, we posed for “group shots” in the AGD hats that Hank had thoughtfully special-ordered for us. (See related pix in this post.) Not to be outdone, our AGD guys took their turn next. And we hadn’t yet broken into the Gruet sparkling wine — a New Mexico-made bubbly that Mim and Hank wanted us to enjoy. (It was exceptional!)
On to Santa Fe and all its attractions for the next 5 days. Staying in 2 luxurious homes more than a mile apart presented a challenge to togetherness. But we achieved it by taking turns for Happy Hour/Dinner each evening, or chose a local restaurant as a gathering place. We enjoyed many group excursions each day (Los Alamos, Bandelier Monument, Taos), trolley tours, walking tours, and exploring Santa Fe’s fascinating history, art, culture, and SHOPPING. When we weren’t out and about, our comfortable homes fostered catching up on each others’ lives and sharing stories about our families, travels, and latest tips for staying in our primes. All too soon, the reminiscing, laughter, adventure, and fellowship became another lifetime memory to be treasured. The joys and love of sisterhood continue to bind us and enrich our times together.
Update: Our sister, Gail Busby ’52, entered Chapter Grand on September 20. 2018. We’re all glad to have shared our reunion with her.
Tidbits from Pat...
My visit to the reunion was a lot of fun.
Thanks to:
- The Melon, Mim and Julie trio for the adventurous trip from the airport.
- Kay for all the work for the Pinon House.
- Crackey for giving me the bigger bed in our shared bedroom and for driving us to Taos.
- Suzie and Mim for organizing.
- Barbara for the interpreting the art museum.
- Walt and Jenny for planning the trip to Taos. Visiting a Pueblo site had been on my list since I was a kid.
- To everyone who shopped and prepared food and the team who kept the kitchen clean.
- Melon for driving us into Sante Fe and a ride to the airport.
- Barbara and Tom for saving me a seat on the plane home and giving me the window seat!
- Thanks to everyone for listening to my stories and giving me three days of laughter and fun. I felt treasured and I really needed that.
As usual, we discussed the location for our next Reunion in 2017. We’re heading south this time to St. Augustine, Florida in the March/April timeframe. We are looking forward to it already!
Heartfelt thanks to those who organized the reunion: to Suzie & Peter and Kay & Rich for finding our Santa Fe homes, to Mim & Hank for being our wonderful hosts, and to each of the excursion organizers. And welcome to our “newbies” — Ellie & Ed, Linda, and Sandy — for growing the circle of of our friendship.