Free Sandia Mountain NHC & Origami Animals

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The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the public, but on March 4 you can explore, hike, enjoy the scenery, try the solar telescope, and the wildlife includes origami animals…

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in Cedar Crest is open to all this Sunday March 4, 2012, from 9 am to 4 pm, and admission is free. 

Usually the 128 acre piñon-juniper forest with over 5 miles of walking trails is only open to school groups, but this Sunday anybody can turn up to hike, spot wildlife from the observation deck and bird blind, do geocaching, or even have a picnic if it’s warm enough.

At 10 am, they’re doing something with origami animals. Presumably making them, rather than spotting them as part of the wildlife During the open day a solar telescope will be available to view the sun.

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center open day:

• When: Sunday March 4, 2012
• Time: 9 am - 4 pm. No registration required to visit.
• Where: Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, Cedar Crest
• Price: Admission is free!

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is located at 60 Columbine Lane, Cedar Crest. Take exit 175 from
I-40 East, along NM 14 / The Turquoise Trail. Get directions to the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center.

–Tania

Free Sandia Dinosaurs of New Mexico

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the public, but on February 5 you can explore, hike, enjoy the scenery, try the solar telescope, and find out about dinosaurs of New Mexico.

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in Cedar Crest is open to all this Sunday February 5, 2012, from 9 am to 4 pm, and admission is free. 

Usually the 128 acre piñon-juniper forest with over 5 miles of walking trails is only open to school groups, but this Sunday anybody can turn up to hike, spot wildlife from the observation deck and bird blind, do geocaching, or even have a picnic if it’s warm enough.

At 10 am, there’s a presentation on Dinosaurs of New Mexico, and during the open day a solar telescope will be available to view the sun.

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center open day:

• When: Sunday February 5, 2012
• Time: 9 am - 4 pm. No registration required to visit.
• Where: Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, Cedar Crest
• Price: Admission is free!

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is located at 60 Columbine Lane, Cedar Crest. Take exit 175 from
I-40 East, along NM 14 / The Turquoise Trail. Get directions to the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center.

–Tania

Free Sandia Open Day & Geology

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the public, but on December 4 you can explore, hike, enjoy the scenery, and try the solar telescope.

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in Cedar Crest is open to all this Sunday December 4, 2011, from 9 am to 4 pm, and admission is free. 

Usually the 128 acre piñon-juniper forest with over 5 miles of walking trails is only open to school groups, but this Sunday anybody can turn up to hike, spot wildlife from the observation deck and bird blind, or even have a picnic.

At 10 am, there’s a presentation on regional geography, and between 11 am - 2 pm, a solar telescope will be available to safely view the sun. I looked through some solar telescopes this summer (thanks to The Albuquerque Astronomical Society!) and it was pretty amazing to look the sun straight in the eye. I want to take Mr Cheap to see it too, but he says that I am the center of HIS solar system, and my blinding beauty is enough for him.  From this I gather that he’s going to be asking for a really expensive Christmas gift this year.

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center open day:

• When: Sunday December 4, 2011
• Time: 9 am - 4 pm. No registration required to visit.
• Where: Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, Cedar Crest
• Price: Admission is free!

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is located at 60 Columbine Lane, Cedar Crest, about 10 minutes from the I-40 / Tramway intersection. Get directions to the SMNHC.

–Tania

Free Sandia Open Day & Winter Plants

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the public, but on November 6 you can explore, hike, enjoy the scenery, and try the solar telescope.

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in Cedar Crest is open to all this Sunday November 6, 2011, from 9 am to 4 pm, and admission is free. 

Usually the 128 acre piñon-juniper forest with over 5 miles of walking trails is only open to school groups, but this Sunday anybody can turn up to hike, spot wildlife from the observation deck and bird blind, or have a picnic. 

At 10 am, there’s a presentation on Winter Plants in the Sandias. And between 11 am - 2 pm, a solar telescope will be available to safely view the sun. I looked through some solar telescopes at an Arts in the Park event this summer (thanks to the guys at The Albuquerque Astronomical Society!) and it was pretty amazing to look the sun straight in the eye.

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center open day:

• When: Sunday November 6, 2011
• Time: 9 am - 4 pm. No registration required to visit.
• Where: Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, Cedar Crest
• Price: Admission is free!

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is located at 60 Columbine Lane, Cedar Crest, about 10 minutes from the I-40 / Tramway intersection. Get directions to the SMNHC.

–Tania

Free Sandia Event & Open Day: October 2

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the public, but on October 2 you can explore, hike, enjoy the scenery, and try the solar telescope.

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in Cedar Crest is open to all this Sunday October 2, 2011, from 9 am to 4 pm, and admission is free. 

Usually the 128 acre piñon-juniper forest with over 5 miles of walking trails is only open to school groups, but this Sunday anybody can turn up to hike, spot wildlife from the observation deck and bird blind, or have a picnic. 

At 10 am, there’s a presentation on Seasonal Changes in the Sandias. And between 11 am - 2 pm, a solar telescope will be available to safely view the sun. I looked through some solar telescopes at a recent Arts in the Park event (thanks to the guys at The Albuquerque Astronomical Society!) and it was pretty amazing to look the sun straight in the eye.

• When: Sunday October 2, 2011
• Time: 9 am - 4 pm. No registration required to visit.
• Where: Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, Cedar Crest
• Price: Free!

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is located at 60 Columbine Lane, Cedar Crest, about 10 minutes from the I-40 / Tramway intersection.

Directions: From I-40 east, take the Cedar Crest exit 175 to Highway 14, the Turquoise Trail. Go through Cedar Crest and about 3 miles from 1-40 look for the Conoco Station on the right and the coffee shop on your left – turn left straight after the coffee shop onto Columbine Lane – it’s a dirt road. The center is about 1 mile ahead – at the end of Columbine.

–Tania

Free Sandia Event & Open Day: Sept 4

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the public, but this Sunday September 4 you can explore, hike, enjoy the scenery, and try the solar telescope.

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in Cedar Crest is open to all this Sunday September 4, 2011, from 9 am to 4 pm, and admission is free. 

Usually the 128 acre piñon-juniper forest with over 5 miles of walking trails is only open to school groups, but this Sunday anybody can turn up to hike, spot wildlife from the observation deck and bird blind, or have a picnic. 

At 10 am, there’s a presentation on the “Revised Vertebrate Fauna of the Late Triassic Redonda Formation”. I don’t even know what that means and I’d certainly need a cup of coffee before trying to pronounce it.  But if you go, you’ll find out!

And between 11 am - 2 pm, a solar telescope will be available to safely view the sun.

• When: Sunday September 4, 2011
• Time: 9 am - 4 pm. No registration required to visit.
• Where: Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, Cedar Crest
• Price: Free!

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is located at 60 Columbine Lane, Cedar Crest, about 10 minutes from the I-40 / Tramway intersection.

Directions: From I-40 east, take the Cedar Crest exit 175 to Highway 14, the Turquoise Trail. Go through Cedar Crest and about 3 miles from 1-40 look for the Conoco Station on the right and the coffee shop on your left – turn left straight after the coffee shop onto Columbine Lane – it’s a dirt road. The center is about 1 mile ahead – at the end of Columbine.

–Tania

Tinkertown Museum: Cheap, Cool, Charming Family Fun

Tinkertown Museum on the Turquoise Trail is one of my favorite places. I’ve been remiss in not mentioning it this summer, as it’s always a cheap trip out, and very cool. Literally cool too, as it’s up in the mountains and a refreshing escape on a hot day!

Tinkertown Museum is an ‘only in New Mexico’ extravaganza of folk art by the late Ross Ward, including a model circus and a miniature Wild West town that stretches the length of a room, plus his amazing collections of American ephemera. It’s a great place to browse a few hours – you always spot something you hadn’t noticed before. (Let’s face it, it’s even more ram-jam packed than my untidy office, only a lot more enjoyable.)

The rambling building is constructed from over 50,000 glass bottles and inside you can see the miniature animated wood-carved figures and ask your destiny of Esmerelda, the antique arcade-style fortune teller.

Kids love Tinkertown, and if you’ve got guests coming in to town for Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, it’s worth bearing in mind as something different to do between morning ascensions and the evening balloon events. I always take out-of-state visitors to Tinkertown. We inevitably spend longer than I anticipated, and it’s one of those memories they’re still talking about years later.

Tinkertown Museum is only open seasonally, from April 1 to October 31, and admission is $3 for adults, and $2.50 for seniors aged 62+.  It costs just $1 for kids aged 4 to 16. Tots aged 3 and under get in free!

They’re open every day from 9 am to 6 pm, with the last admission at 5:30 pm. But seriously, thirty minutes isn’t enough time to really enjoy everything at Tinkertown, so get there earlier. The shop is cool too, with lots of weird and wonderful gifts and fun stuff to buy at very low prices.

Tinkertown is on the road to Sandia Crest off Highway 14,  the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, about 25 miles east of Albuquerque.

–Tania

Free Sandia Geology Event & Open Day: August 7

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the public, but this Sunday August 7 you can explore, hike, enjoy the scenery, and try the solar telescope.

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in Cedar Crest is open to all this Sunday August 7, 2011, from 9 am to 4 pm, and admission is free. 

Usually the 128 acre piñon-juniper forest with over 5 miles of walking trails is only open to school groups, but this Sunday anybody can turn up to hike, spot wildlife from the observation deck, or have a picnic. 

From 10 – 11 am, there’s a presentation on the geology of the Sandias and on the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center.  And between 11 am - 2 pm, a solar telescope will be available to safely view the sun.

• When: Sunday August 7, 2011
• Time: 9 am - 4 pm. No registration required to visit.
• Where: Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, Cedar Crest
• Price: Free!

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is located at 60 Columbine Lane, Cedar Crest, about 10 minutes from the I-40 / Tramway intersection.

Directions: From I-40 east, take the Cedar Crest exit 175 to Highway 14, the Turquoise Trail. Go through Cedar Crest and about 3 miles from 1-40 look for the Conoco Station on the right and the coffee shop on your left – turn left straight after the coffee shop onto Columbine Lane – it’s a dirt road. The center is about 1 mile ahead – at the end of Columbine.

–Tania

Free Sandia Guided Hikes & Open Day: Sept 4

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the public, but this Saturday September 4, 2010, you can explore, enjoy the scenery, and join free guided hikes.

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in Cedar Crest is open to all this Saturday September 4, 2010, from 9 am to 3 pm, as part of their summer First Saturdays Series – this is the last in the 2010 series.

Usually the 128 acre piñon-juniper forest with over 5 miles of walking trails is only open to school groups, but this Saturday anybody can turn up to hike or spot wildlife from the observation deck, or join guided group hikes.

Free guided nature hikes start at 10 am (till noon) led by SMNHC staff, interpreting the flora and fauna of the Sandia Mountains. The hikes range from an easy child–friendly walk to a moderate 2–mile hike. You need to register for the guided group nature hikes.

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center will be open to explore from 9 am to 3 pm. If you’re not joining the guided hikes, there’s no need to register, just turn up.

• When: Saturday September 4, 2010
• Time: 9 am – 3 pm. No registration required to visit.
  Guided hikes 10 am – noon: Registration required.
• Where: Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, Cedar Crest
• Price: Free!

Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is located at 60 Columbine Lane, Cedar Crest, about 10 minutes from the I-40 / Tramway intersection.

Directions: From I-40 east, take the Cedar Crest exit 175 to Highway 14, the Turquoise Trail. Go through Cedar Crest and about 3 miles from 1-40 look for the Conoco Station on the right and the coffee shop on your left – turn left straight after the coffee shop onto Columbine Lane – it’s a dirt road. The center is about 1 mile ahead – at the end of Columbine.

–Tania

Free Wildlife of the Sandias Event: May 1

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the public, but this Saturday you can hike, explore, enjoy the scenery, and join a session on wildlife.

The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in Cedar Crest is open to all this Saturday May 1, 2010, as part of their First Saturdays Series that runs on the first Saturday of the month till September.

Usually the 128 acre piñon-juniper forest with over 5 miles of walking trails is only open to school groups, but on First Saturdays anybody can turn up to hike or spot wildlife from the observation deck, or take part in any public programs.

On Saturday there’s a session between 10 and 11 am on animal behaviors and habits in this area, but the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center will be open to explore from 9 am to 3 pm.

It’s all free, and you don’t need to register. Just turn up with your sturdy boots at Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, 60 Columbine Lane, Cedar Crest.

Directions: From I-40 east, take the Cedar Crest exit 175 to Highway 14, the Turquoise Trail. Go through Cedar Crest and about 3 miles from 1-40 look for the Conoco Station on the right and the coffee shop on your left – turn left straight after the coffee shop onto Columbine Lane – it’s a dirt road. The center is about 1 mile ahead – at the end of Columbine.

–Tania

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