I live in Albuquerque New Mexico. Albuquerque is quite frankly… well it’s a rather terrible place to live if you ask me. Surprisingly, Albuquerque has been turning up in many lists lately of “best places to live”. Let me tell you… they are wrong. Anyone that says that this is a great place to live either hasn’t lived here very long or they are a loon (no offense to my Albuquerque readers that I know like it here). Most recently… my new Outdoors magazine that came to me yesterday rated Albuquerque as the 6th best city to live in for outdoorsy types. They rated the town great because of access to mountains, trails and temperate weather. I think they mistook Albuquerque for Santa Fe or for Taos or one of our true awesome mountain towns. Albuquerque is a desert town with a septic tank of a muddy river and one mountain… but really it is a desert… a “high desert” town. People say we have great weather but that is rubbish too. We have freezing cold winters, sweltering summers and ridiculous and extremely high winds that last what feels like 90% of the year. We even have a joke here “If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes”. That really isn’t a joke… I have seen heavy snow coming down in the sunshine.
Why do I live here then? Well it’s a long story but I own my house… can’t afford to move somewhere I would like to live and frankly it is rather cheap and inexpensive to live here. In fact it is so cheap that they call this the “land of entrapment” (a play on our state slogan “land of enchantment”) because it is so cheap that once you live here you can’t move away and if you do… you usually end up back. Anyways I am now ranting and it is completely irrelevant so back on track….
I live on the Westside of Albuquerque. This side of town is basically built on a true high desert plateau. I live on the edge of this. What this means is not that I have access to mountains and the like… I have access to a wide open space of dirt, sagebrush and million year old lava flows.
But if life gives you lemons, make some lemonade. I started doing Arroyo Sprints. Roger De Rok has joined me once a week for these and it has become more than a workout or excursion… it has become a down right primal ritual for us.
Here is how Arroy Sprints work:
Shirtless and barefoot (well Roger wears a t-shirt and converse), walk 4 miles through the desert that looks a little like this…
Steep dirt hill between us and the PTG
Top of dirt hill. Lava flow hides PTG
It really is a nice hike aside from being the desert. You are surrounded by desert wildlife. There are jackrabbits, birds and lizards everywhere.
We hike until we get to here…
The Top Secret Primal Training Grounds
This arroyo has been lovingly dubbed the “Top Secret Primal Training Grounds”. It is an arroyo that is tucked down between a lava flow and a high sandy bank with lava rocks that is hidden from sight and has probably not seen water in a bajillion years. The trees are the only desert trees really around and for a short time every year bloom into a lovely pink blossom almost like a cherry tree.
Once here, we do 10 short sprints down the arroyo (only 30-50meters) with 10 seconds of rest in between. Once done we immediately, unceremoniously and silently walk away and begin our trek back. It is very cool.
I made a crappy video of it. I seem to be talking like I am intoxicated but I assure you I am not. It was a one take deal with my cell phone… it was very bright and also very hot out and we had just finished our trek to the Primal training grounds. Oh and the hairy (slow) guy with dreads is Roger De Rok (almost 100 pounds lighter now!).
Sprinting in the sand is amazing exercise. It feels like you are trying to run in slow motion. It is hard, its is dirty, it is good Primal fun. These excursions are also great for getting fresh air and sunshine. All in all, this is one of my favorite ways to get a little exercise during the week.
I have often pondered and said that if you give me a competetive athlete and a couple weeks in the Primal Training Grounds, I can delivered insanely improved performance.
August 2nd, 2009 - 11:22 am
I’m kind of bummed to hear you say you don’t like Albuquerque! I live in Virginia right now, but at the end of August my husband and I are flying to Albuquerque for him to interview for a job at UNM. We’re staying a few extra days to check the city out and see if we want to live there if he gets the job. We’ve moved around a lot since we met and we’re ready to settle down somewhere now; we were hoping Albuquerque would give us what we’re looking for! Like you said, we’ve read pretty much only good things about it, so I’m surprised to hear such a dissenting opinion.
August 2nd, 2009 - 11:54 am
Elizabeth,
I recommend that you still visit and explore as planned and develop your own opinion. There are people that truly love it here (not sure why really…).
The weather here is not as good as everyone claims. The people are not friendly.. at ALL (i was treated better in New York. The crime is truly terrible… even in the best neighborhoods (you can go from the nicest areas to known gang areas in one block). The city feels more populated and crowded than even when I was in LA.
I am also a water lover which is a big reason I am so miserable. The air is extremely dry and causes nosebleeds and dry eyes. The nearest ocean is nearly 1000 miles away. Our rivers would be called creeks in the rest of the world and our creeks would not even have names.
But like I said… some people love it… for some reason.
So feel free to formulate your own opinion! lol
August 2nd, 2009 - 12:51 pm
SOG,
Loved the video! if you’re a water lover you should look to the east.. its not too expensive here in Ohio, plus we have the lakes right there and the ocean aint that far…and plenty of rain
but really love the blog hope you keep it up (as long as it remains something enjoyable..not stressful and chore like)
August 2nd, 2009 - 6:22 pm
I live just outside Portland, OR and love it here… Albuquerque sounds like Central Oregon minus the mountains and rivers. We get a lot of rain in the valley though, but the other seasons make up for it!
August 2nd, 2009 - 7:41 pm
SoG
loved the video. Pack your bags, Albuquerque sounds like a cheap version of bakersfield. Move to Malibu, love it here. We have water and mountains. if I want desert, it’s a short drive. Where else can I surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon? Southern Cal is THE place for you to open up a primal shop or restaurant which I believe you be perfect for!
August 2nd, 2009 - 8:04 pm
hq,
I used to live in Socal. Corona Del Mar to be exact. I loved it. The weather… perfect. The location… awesome. I loved surfing, rowing, cruising the PCH. I absolutely loved it.
Couple of problems though.
#1 Cost of living is absolutely outrageous.
#2 Helmet and emissions laws border on lunacy
#3 Idiot politicians
#4 Did I mention cost of living is absolutely outrageous? lol
August 2nd, 2009 - 8:31 pm
Elizabeth – sog ‘forgot’ to mention the sand storms in the spring that no one wants to venture outdoors in….Albuquerque is built up on a river sand bed that filled in over the eons after the Sandias formed from rising up into the sky. Hubby should like unm though as it has a good reputation as a place to work. Some of sog’s relatives work there
SOG- isn’t Outdoor magazine based out of Santa Fe? They should know better LOL
Roger – wow wow triple wow… u look fantastic. Last year this time u were 100 lbs more? Congrats!
Jenny – it does look just like Central Oregon/ Washington. I remember driving through there for the first time wondering how that happened! Of course Albuq does not have ur vineyards sucking water off the Columbia River. Our poor Rio Grande actually disappears in many spots.
August 3rd, 2009 - 8:39 am
Wow!!! I love those pics – absolutely beautiful.
I used to live in California and now I live in the Midwest – my partner and I are thinking of moving to Albuquerque.
Everytime we go there we are amazed at how beautiful and green the Sandia Mountains are, and we also like the desert to the west of the city.
The food there is really amazing too!!
Anyway – I hope you find your “mecca”. We did – it’s just going to be a few more yers before we move there.
It’s a hidden gem. I think you should keep posting like this so that droves of people keep out of there, and don’t overrun and ruin the prestine beauty of New Mexico – like they have most every other part of this country!!!
Thanks
August 3rd, 2009 - 9:46 am
I love it man, just away from it all – a paradise sanctuary.
August 3rd, 2009 - 10:18 am
I haven’t been to New Mexico, but I lived in Monterey, CA for a year. Arrived in February, right around when the rains stopped … and it didn’t rain for six months. The area got all brown and dry, not very pretty.
Also, when I first moved to Hawaii, I thought I’d be living in a tropical paradise. Instead I ended up at Ewa Beach … very hot and dry!
So I like the Midwest. It’s green most of the time, with real creeks and rivers.
August 3rd, 2009 - 12:55 pm
I really liked the video!!!
August 3rd, 2009 - 7:25 pm
SoG, I’m here in Albuquerque, too. Moved here almost 5 years ago from Tucson, Arizona where I was born and raised. So I’m used to the desert climate.
I agree w/ all of your points about Albuquerque, but I try to make the most out of it. There are some really good places to eat and yes, it can be windy but the heat doesn’t compare to Arizona!
All in all, I don’t see myself living here for very much longer (as soon as I’m done w/ school) and would definitely not want to come back to the Land of Entrapment! Well maybe a visit for the green chile…
Oh, I’ll have to check out the training grounds as I also live on the westside but when it isn’t so hot…
August 3rd, 2009 - 7:39 pm
I actually think the weather in NM is close to perfect, except for the wind. I HATE the wind getting dirt in my eyes and mouth and blowing my hair around haha. I don’t think the winters are too bad and I kinda like the dry heat. I was recently in Indiana for several days and it felt just as hot as here because of the uncomfortable humidity and people were talking about how “cool and dry” it was for that time of year.
The big thing I hate about Albuquerque is that there is just nothing to do. I’m really into music and no good bands play here because it’s off the major tour routes and kind of a pain in the ass city to get to. Maybe that’s why it’s such a good place to get fit at, because there’s absolutely nothing to do.
People here tend to be REALLY flaky too, and unfortunately it’s kind of rubbed off on me. There’s a reason they call this the “land of manana”. You can’t really rely on people to do anything productive with.
The food is wonderful though if you like New Mexican food, although most of it is not primal at all.
Mom of SoG: Yeah! It’s been a year since I’ve seen you. Back in November I was at 305, now down to 215-220.
August 4th, 2009 - 11:16 am
I concur about the lack of bands coming into town, Roger! They either go to Denver or Phoenix or even El Paso.
Thinking about it… Yeah, the only good thing is the weather (when it’s not windy) and the food. I think there’s other good food besides New Mexican. Albuquerque is actually a “10 Best City for Local Food” according to the Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/27/10-best-us-cities-for-loc_n_244682.html?slidenumber=7#slide_image
August 4th, 2009 - 7:21 pm
Wow Kim, that’s amazing! I rarely eat out anyway, if I do I’ll just go to Rudy’s BBQ and just eat Brisket and pork ribs. Sometimes I’ll go to Los Cuates and get fajitas and don’t eat the tortillas or the beans and rice and corn tortilla stuff they pack everything in. If I get stuck going somewhere else I’ll get a salad with lemon wedges instead of dressing.
August 10th, 2009 - 10:02 am
Congratulations on your weight loss, Roger. You’re amazing! Now i know it’s a “slimming” color and all, but WHY THE @#$% ARE YOU SPRINTING IN THE DESERT SUN IN ALL BLACK?!! Just wondering.
August 10th, 2009 - 5:36 pm
Karin,
That is the only color Roger wears. Its like he is all “emo” or something. lol
The SoG
August 10th, 2009 - 6:34 pm
Hahahaha it’s true. I don’t really own anything that’s not black!
August 15th, 2009 - 8:13 am
yep, kinda sad, i live in albuquerque as well and i love it
and there is a crossfit affiliate here. there is so much to see in this state, its crazy beautiful, plus the food is awesome.
August 22nd, 2009 - 9:28 pm
Went to Albuquerque once to audition for their orchestra. After all the good things I heard, I was less than impressed. My cab driver was friendly, though. Super friendly. Creepy friendly. I’m not heartbroken that I didn’t get the job.
Was in Boise, ID for another audition. Funny, I loved that city. It was a bit barren around the city, but I stood on the street corner and had a killer view of the Rockies, and my husband and I got pizza from a privately-owned restaurant that bought its ingredients from local small-time farmers (this was pre-primal for me). I could walk everywhere, there were places to park bikes (and dogs if you desired), it was just a totally pedestrian-friendly city. My kind of town!
August 29th, 2009 - 8:53 pm
My husband and I have been in ABQ for two years now via Colorado. I LOVED your “land of entrapment” comment…so true. BTW – totally enjoyed the primal peach patties.
September 8th, 2009 - 3:26 pm
The east side of Albuquerque is different from the west side. Its not a musical place but there are lots of other arts if one is interested. We have not water- but that’s why we are called a desert.
The people here are no more or less friendly than other places- just depends of who you meet and how you talk to people.
I concede that I haven’t lived in Abq for many years, but I visit often. I enjoy the seclusion of the Jemez Mountains much better than any city I’ve been to.