In 1706, Spain established a presidio, or military garrison, in the vast New Mexico desert. The presidio was in the newly established town of Alburquerque which was named after the Spanish administrator and viceroy of Mexico, Fernandez de la Cueva, Duque de Alburquerque (1617-1676). The spelling was altered by association with the prominent Portuguese General Alfonso de Albuquerque (1453-1515). Both military men were named after the Spanish town of Alburquerque which is near the Portuguese border. One spelling is from the Portuguese language and one from the Spanish language. It is thought that the name means “white oak” or “cork oak.” The modern-day Alburquerque is still a center of Spain’s cork industry.

There are other folklore stories about the name “Alburquerque.” One is that it is derived from an Arabic word meaning “the father of cork (oak).” Another story has it derived from a Galacian word meaning “apricot.” The Spanish brought apricots to this area as early as 1743.

The present-day location of the presidio is now referred to as “Old Town Albuquerque” or just “Old Town.” Sometimes it is referred to as “La Placita” which means “little plaza” in Spanish.

The Spanish influence here is extensive. There is great beauty in many of the town’s buildings, houses and churches that have retained the flavor of Spanish architecture. There is much to see and do in town but it is the mountains that we are going to visit now. There is a tram that travels up to Sandia Peak from Albuquerque. The tram glides over canyons 6,000 feet deep and more. But, our adventure will involve a leisurely drive up to the peak.

Our adventure starts as we leave Los Lunas to travel through the Isleta Pueblo along the Rio Grand River. The river is lined with trees. Being fall, many of the tree’s leaves have turned color displaying a riot of yellow along the river’s banks.

The Rocky Mountains surround Albuquerque and display beautifully in the distance.

The road passes by many buildings of this busy city along I-25.

We bend around to I-40 that reaches the road that climbs up the mountain. Driving up the winding, twisty and sometimes switch-back mountain road affords close up views of the scenery along the way, including many trees that have turned their colors from green to yellow nestled among the pines. At the lower levels are a few very small towns that cater to the tourists.

Reaching the top of Sandia Peak, we find spectacular views on three sides. Following are some photos we took.

It is always hazy next to the mountains and often over the city due to the constantly blowing sand of the desert. The streaks of white that are visible are not jet streams or clouds. They are much bigger than any jet stream and start out at much higher altitudes than jets travel. They are called “chem trails” and there is much speculation among the people of our entire country where they come from and why. We will let you discover those hypotheses for yourselves.

Another view of the city with more of the surrounding mountains.

This is known as “Metal Mountain” and is located at this lookout point on Sandia Peak. The ‘metal’ provides TV, radio and cell phone services to the city and surrounding areas.

This is our family member who is one of the Pirates for Sea Shepherd (and that’s another story) relaxing at the peak.

This last photo is off in a different direction. The views are expansive all around the three sides.

Albuquerque is famous for the annual balloon festival held here but has so much more to offer. Don’t miss out on the glorious mountains views either by road or by tram if you travel this way!

What was the scariest house in your neighborhood? One similar to the one from “Psycho?” Maybe the one from “To Kill A Mockingbird.” “The Shining,” “Hocus Pocus,” “Poltergeist,” “Frankenstein,” “Beetlejuice,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas?” There are plenty to chose from.

Ours was one in the neighborhood in the middle of the block. It was a good-sized house, dingy white in color (it needed paint) with an untended yard surrounded by a dirty and in-need-of-repair white picket fence. Yes, someone did live in it. An old guy who occasionally could be seen on the front porch. He was pretty scary to young children.

Every once in awhile kids would dare one kid to go into the yard, up onto the porch and ring the bell and run. Sometimes a kid would take the dare and often as the children were running away, the old guy would open the door, step out onto the porch and yell at them. Most of the time kids would just run past the house as fast as they could due to the rumor that a kid that once lingered outside looking toward the house got pulled inside the house—woosh, just like that. It was our hometown haunted house with ghost stories all its own.

Then there is the Haunted House at the Carnival…….Haunted Houses have always held a fascination for children. Their imagination is fed by spooky-looking places. It holds true for adults, too, though many would never admit it. At this time of year on the Oregon Coast, a true Haunted House happens. From October 20^th through October 31^st, the Chetco Pelican Players will create their 11^th annual Haunted House in an old, abandoned warehouse in Brookings-Harbor. Now known as “Chops Mart,” the Haunted House is located in the Brookings-Harbor Shopping Center at 97900 Shopping Center Ave in Harbor.

The “Hicksville Horror Show” opens on Thursday, October 23 at 7:00 pm. Travel the overgrown trails of the back roads of Hicksville and be ‘entertained to death’ by the frightening creatures you will encounter. Ghouls, Goblins, Ghosts and more reside here and randomly appear before anyone who is brave enough to travel these paths.

Queen Witch Claire Willard reins over the dark, hidden horrors of Hicksville staring a host of beasties, creeps and carnage carnies. The survivors of this demented tour of fright will be rewarded with yummy Trick or Treats and huge helpings of Queen Claire’s wicked “Creepy Crawly Chili,” in her ghoulie backwoods “Beastro.”

There is an entry fee of $10 per victim. This event is NOT recommended for children under the age of 10 – it’s that scary! The “Hicksville Horror Show” is open Thursdays, Oct. 23 and 30 and Sunday, Oct. 26 from 7 to 10 pm; Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct 25 and Nov 1 from 7 to 11 pm; and on Halloween, Oct 31 from 7 pm to midnight.

Don’t miss this spooky, fun event on the Oregon Coast. Brookings-Harbor is a very pleasant drive from www.umpquahaven.com. Stay with us and come home to the peace and serenity of our small park!

Saturday, October 14^th brings yet another Oktoberfest celebration on the Oregon Coast. This time in Florence.

Held at the Florence Events Center, this harvest festival offers all-day entertainment in the way of Sam’s Polka Gems, Tirolean Dancers, Alpine Echoes Band and more. Don’t miss the Wiener Dog Races. Experience traditional cuisine of German and Bavarian food and desserts. And beir—-lots of beir!

In addition to all this fun, there will be vendor booths, contests and fun activities in a festive, European atmosphere. There is a charge at the door of $8.00 or you can pay $7.00 in advance.

And don’t forget the beir—-lots of beir!

A favorite Oktoberfest dance is the Doudbleska Polka. It is actually a dance from Czechoslovakia but often danced at German Oktoberfest celebrations in the US. There are 2 videos. I couldn’t pass up the first one knowing that the ethnicity of most of the dancers is definitely not German. One of the fun things about International Dance is that everyone can and does do it! The second video is offered to show what a fun social dance this is. Whooping and hollering is the norm and don’t forget your la la las.

And the whoop and holler one:

Polka bands are a specific style of music with a lot of Ump Pa Pa kind of rhythm. This is the music that the dancers follow. Polka band musicians usually dress in traditional German lederhosen and drindls. Most of the music is made with accordions, often accompanied by drums.

Don’t forget that www.umpquahaven.com is just 36 miles from Florence on the coast. An easy and beautiful drive along the Umpqua River and the Coast Road. Bring your RV and stay with us at Umpqua River Haven where you’ll have your own home amid the soothing Oregon Fir trees to come back to after a fun day celebrating Oktoberfest!

Our Wyoming family traveled the Tin Cup Creek today to see the fall colors. And, wow, did they ever find them. No Aspens prettier in the fall than the ones in Wyoming!

The first Oktoberfest occurred in 1810 in celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen in Bavaria. This celebration was held 5 days after the marriage with a large feast in front of one of the gates into Munich. There were horse races for many years and in 1811 an agricultural fair was added (Farmer’s Market). In 1818 beer pubs were added along with performers.

The festival drew crowds of tourists who learned about Bavaria and its people. By 1887, traditional dress in the way of lederhosen (leather shorts for men) and dirndls (a bit like pinafores for women) became the norm. Traditional dance was done in costume and included Schuhplattler Dance (traditional men’s slap-dancing) and couple polkas.

Today, Oktoberfests are held in September due to the milder weather. In Munich, the fest lasts for 16 days starting on a Saturday in September and ending on the first Sunday in October. Oktoberfest is always great fun and there’s always beer. Lots of beer.

In the US there are many Octoberfest celebrations and the Oregon Coast is no exception. This weekend on Saturday, October 7, is the Pacific City Octoberfest.

From 11 am to 8 pm, the Kiawanda Community Center will host its 2^nd annual Oktoberfest. This event is a non-profit fund raiser to benefit 3 worthy community entities. This is the day Pacific City celebrates the community’s Germanic and Swiss heritage and the fall season. Arts and crafts, traditional folk dancing, fine wines, traditional German food and live music and beer—lots of beer—will be some of the activities to partake of. This is a family day and many events are geared toward youth. There will also be adult games with prizes awarded during this fun-filled day.

Dust off your dirndls and lederhosen and join in the fun. There is a cash prize for the best, authentic German costume. And beer—lots of beer!

www.umpquahaven.com is a 135 mile drive up the beautiful Oregon coast from Pacific City. Stop in and visit us on your way or stay with us. Leave Umpqua River Haven about 8 am to head to Pacific City and return before midnight to your own bed in the serene charm of our Oregon forest setting. We might just tag along with you!