Smores

Anytime we have a campfire, we make Smores.  Smore is short for "some more," meaning they are so good, you want some more!

All you need is a roaring campfire, a coat hanger or a young, green stick cut from a nearby tree, a chocolate bar, graham crackers and a couple of marshmallows.   First take two graham crackers, placing  the chocolate bar on top of one of them.  Roast the marshmallows, stuck on the coat hanger or stick, over the campfire until it's golden brown and toasted.   Place the roasted marshmallows on top of the chocolate bar, smashing them down with the remaining cracker forming a gooey sandwich.

Caution!  They are messy so have some napkins close by!  Yum, yum!

A Very Large Array

Jon and I headed out on one of our 'drives.'  I love exploring out-of-the-way places in New Mexico.  Today we drove to the Plains of San Agustin,  New Mexico to see the Very Large Array.  What's that you ask?  The Very Large Array (VLA) is a collection of 27 radio antennas located at the NRAO ( National Radio Astronomy Observatory ) site in Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna in the array measures 82 feet  (25 meters) in diameter and weighs about 230 tons. They are about 95 feet tall (29 meters.) The Y-shaped array can be arranged into 4 different configurations: A, B, C, or D, depending on the distance between the antennas. The VLA is an interferometer, which means that the data from each antenna can be combined electronically so that the array effectively functions as one giant antenna. Dedicated in 1980, the VLA is used by astronomers from around the world to study everything from black holes to planetary nebulae.  Why did they put it in-the-middle-of-no-where New Mexico?  The Plains of San Agustin (not Augustine) are high in elevation, surrounded by a ring of mountains that block interference and far enough away from large populations so they aren't bothered by phone calls or TV broadcasts.

The VLA was featured in the film, "Contact" starring Jodie Foster.  Unfortunately, today the position of the antennas were in their furtherest apart, resulting in not so great photos.  For the film, they were at their closest position as you can see in Jodie's photo.

These are radio antennas, but they aren't listening to anything.  They are seeing radio waves and making pictures of them.  All along I thought they were listening for the aliens that visited Roswell.

For more photos of the Very Large Array click here.

TV Show in Maureen's Backyard

Yesterday, a film crew shot a chase scene in Maureen and Max's backyard. The scene was for the TV series CRASH. Max was home to watch the filming which went really fast. The crew was pleased they had two big dogs (featured in my blog post ) However, since they weren't vicious enough, they brought in two mean looking pit bulls to threaten the stunt man and the actor as they jumped the fench on one side, ran through the yard and hopped over the other fence into the alley next door. They rehearsed a time or two, shot the scene and left. For allowing them to use their yard, they got a check for $250. Pretty easy money!

Maureen and Max live right down town Albuquerque, just a block from a homeless shelter. They have a constant parade of hobos in front of their house. Check out the burglar bars on the windows and front porch. Albuquerque is a popular movie town. They have shot 167 movies, tv shows and other projects in the last couple of years. There are always casting calls on the radio for 'extras' (small acting jobs.) It's not hard to find streets blocked off for a film shoot around town. And everyone has a celebrity sighting story. Personally, I have pictures of John Travolta and Mel Gibson. Ask me and I'll show them to you. :-)

Glowdeo

Once again, it is Balloon Fiesta time in Albuquerque. It is the largest gathering of balloons and pilots in the world. For 9 days, balloons fill our skies in the early morning hours. At night, they glow by light of propane burners. “Glowdeo” was a name given to this truly magical, western rodeo like event.

The great thing about the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is that everyone is allowed on the field with the balloons. The pilots give away cards with the picture and name of their balloon and chat with everyone who stops by to say hello or ask a question. No viewing from the stands at this fiesta! This year there are over 600 balloons participating. It’s a bit less than in past years, but understandable with gas prices as they are today. The Fiesta furnishes the propane for all the balloonists to encourage them to make the trip. The Balloon Fiesta Park becomes the second largest city in New Mexico during these two weeks with hundreds of camping trailers, chase vehicles and tourists!

The week of the Fiesta also signals a change in the weather. Out from the closet come our sweaters and jackets. The heater gets switched on for the first time to take away the mornings chill. It’s sad to bid farewell to summer in the high desert. But how can one stay sad with hundreds of colorful balloons floating in the crisp autumn air?

If you'd like to see the video I made last year, click here.