Sunday, November 29th

Today started with one final meal among the participants of the ceremony for Sue and Steve. Shortly after, we all hugged one final good-bye, packed up the cars and headed back to Albuquerque. On the way, we stopped at a great walking trail at the base of the Sandia Foothills to the east of the city where the dogs (all four of the honor guard) could frolic one last time together and us humans could enjoy a beautiful, brisk day with the clouds encompassing the mountain top.

As we headed back to our heart family's studio for our final night, Steve somehow sensed that we were in the thralls of full-blown Starbucks withdrawal, and kindly drove us to the front entrance of the closest java joint.

After we were caffeined-up, Sue, Steve, Gregg, Candace, Shar and I met at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, where we had the opportunity to see some incredible art work and exhibitions representing the 19 Pueblo Tribes of the Rio Grande. A perfect way to end our Albuquerque experience.

That night, Shar, Prinnie, Digby and I didn't want to go to bed because it would symbolize the end of a fantastic trip. None of us wanted to head home. We kept our hosts awake well in to the early morning hours with conversation, reflection and some trip planning for the future.