It was hot the afternoon we got into town. We had been driving all day – we were hot and tired and the A/C had quit in the front of the van. To make matters worse, somewhere between Blanding, Utah and Albuquerque, I had lost several hundred dollars out of my purse. It was a nightmare because we hadn’t eat anything since lunch and the kids were hungry. I didn’t want to put anything else on a credit card until we got to our motel. Money was already getting tight, especially since we had just spent three weeks in Colorado and Utah.
The first three nights we were supposed to stay at Hotel Cascada in Albuquerque but when we arrived, the lobby was dark and they had evacuated everyone, including the employees because of a transformer explosion that not only affected the electricity – it also blew out a water main or valve. To make matters worse, they had no computers up and running and couldn’t refund our money until a later date. By this time I was crying. There was no extra money to rent another motel for the next three nights so in a moment of nervousness and tears I asked to speak to a manager in charge. Some new arrivals were upset because they had driven for hours with their families, but things happen. There was one woman that came in and threw a fit and started cursing the handful of staff left handling the evacuation. A security officer was summoned and escorted her off the property.
It’s bad enough that the motel was in darkness – it was the weekend and both the power and water had been shut off, not to mention that it was already getting late in the evening.
The kids had their mind set on staying at the Hotel Cascada and had water park tickets for each day of our stay. But things happen and sometimes, you just have to make the best of any situation. That’s what we did.
The manager from the Hotel Cascada immediately made arrangements for us at Home2 Suites on University Blvd.
We spent the next three nights at Home2 Suites and let me tell you, they had the best beds I have ever slept on. The breakfast was super. The staff made sure we were comfortable. There was even a dishwasher and kitchenette with dishes in each room. The only complaint I had was that the pool was rather small. Other than that all was good and our stay was excellent. The rooms were large and spacious and bright. I wanted to stay longer but we already had four nights left at the Hyatt Place Albuquerque/Uptown on Arvada Ave paid for in advance so we moved on day four.
The pool Hyatt Place was awesome. The staff went out of their way to see to it we had a wonderful stay. Breakfast was not only good but everything was served fresh.
Hinkle Family Fun Center located at the northwest corner of Tramway and Indian School is one of our favorite places for fun. The good thing is, you can’t spend just one day there. We try to go as much as we can afford to.
We ride the bumper boats, the go-karts, and spend endless hours inside playing the arcade games. This place is awesome and it’s not just for kids. They have a spin wheel that is my favorite! Taking home the prizes afterwards is a lot of fun.
While we were in Albuquerque, we ventured out to the Albuquerque Zoo and Botanical Gardens one day; Cliff’s Amusement Park the next; we visited the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science on Mountain Road.
We walked around Old Town and ventured in the local shops. We ate at the Hacienda del Rio Restaurant & Cantina in Old Town section of Albuquerque.
Our trip home was long but not boring. The kids were already making plans for the next year and believe me, this ma-maw is ready to go! As I say, have grand children, will travel!!! We’ll see you there…
