Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is totally not related to snakes in anyway but I wanted to do my part to keep things flowing here. We're still number two and if we want to have a direct link I think it behooves us keep the posts up.

As most of you know I'm a native of and live in Albuquerque NM. I've bounced around the country a bit and lived in VA, PA, NY, CO, SC, AZ, CA, & TX.
I was coming home from work the other day and noticed something I normally take for granted. It was the 10,000 ft. Sandia mountains that tower over Albuquerque. We had just had a pretty good snow storm that left just a few inches of snow here in town but had really covered the mountains. The mountains are on the east side of town and it was late in the day and we were experiencing a spectacular sunset that day. The snow covered mountains just left me in awe. I had some things to do that day with my kids so I couldn't get a picture. These pics were taken a few days later.

I often think about how much I like it here but those mountains and that sunset made me fall in love with my hometown all over again. I'm glad I live in the United States of America and feel grateful to live here in NM. I've had the opportunity to see some of the rest of the world, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Central America, and the Caribbean. We are all very fortunate to live here.

I would love to here about and see some pics of your town too. I know that there are some really awesome places with amazing features, flora, fauna, and history too.

-----
Vichris

Vichris Variables

Nice post and pics! It reminds me of the Wasatch mountains in Utah...God bless the USA! I'm headed to Taos for the three-day weekend from here in Abilene, TX for a little skiing...Is Taos in that mountain range, or is it somewhere else?

Max
-----
Snakes to the Max

1.2 Variable Kingsnakes
1.1 Grayband x Ruthveni
0.1 Western Massasauga (WC)
1.1 Jungle Carpet Pythons
1.1 Pastel Red-tail Boas
1.0 Lavender Motley Cornsnake
4.3 Hatchling Variable Kingsnakes
0.2 Hatchling Grayband x Ruthveni Kingsnakes
0.0.2 Baby Western Massasaugas (big surprise!)
1.1 Black Milksnakes
2.4 Honduran Milksnakes
1.3 Cornsnakes

Thanks. That's kind of hard to answer. All of the mountains in central NM are part of the Rocky Mtns. And both the Taos and Albuquerque lay just east of the Rio Grande river. But Taos is in the Sangre de Cristo (blood of Christ) range and the Sandia's are in the Sandia-Manzano (watermelon-apple) range.
BTW you're in for for some great skiing in Taos this year. Here in NM most folks either luv Taos or hate it. Taos does not permit snowboarding so some of the younger kids hate it. But the skier's love it.

Here's pic I took about a month ago in front of my house...... 18" in Albuquerque.

-----
Vichris

Vichris Variables

Let hear and see some stuff about Abilene TX. Really I'd love to know more about it.
-----
Vichris

Vichris Variables

Sorry vichris, just got back online...I don't have much to say about Abilene since I've only been here since October '06...I know there are supposed to be some nice milksnakes and copperheads around here that I'll be on the lookout for this spring...Also, I'm only 200 miles from good Alterna land...

My favorite '06 holdback...

-----
Snakes to the Max

1.2 Variable Kingsnakes
1.1 Grayband x Ruthveni
0.1 Western Massasauga (WC)
1.1 Jungle Carpet Pythons
1.1 Pastel Red-tail Boas
1.0 Lavender Motley Cornsnake
4.3 Hatchling Variable Kingsnakes
0.2 Hatchling Grayband x Ruthveni Kingsnakes
0.0.2 Baby Western Massasaugas (big surprise!)
1.1 Black Milksnakes
2.4 Honduran Milksnakes
1.3 Cornsnakes

That is a very nice grey leonis. I'm looking for one like that but I'd like a little more red in the saddles. Keep me in mind this year if your snakes produce another one like that. I saw the other one on your website with the thin saddles.

How as Taos?
-----
Vichris

Vichris Variables

Chris, i have to agree those mountains are something, i have seen them with my own eyes while hanging out at the Alb skate park and they really are nice mountains, and also in Alb, you have an anchor man named Dick Knipfing, and that is the funniest name ever if you ask me. sorry but his name really make me laugh. in about a year i will be heading to durango to hang out for a week, i will try and get down to Alb so we can hang out and have a beer, talk you later man.

Adam

P.S- do you feed your Chameleon any roaches?
-----
4.5 THAYERI
1.2 SPLENDIDA
1.3 ALTERNA
0.0.1 HOLD BACK RUNT ALBINO CORN
0.1.1 PYXIE FROG
0.0.1 MEXICAN RED KNEE
1.0 CHILEAN ROSE HAIR

Yes he's been the Anchor man at all three of the local TV affiliates. It is a funny name. This place seems to attract all sort's of oddities that really make it unique.

If your comeing out to Durango you better come here and have a beer with me. LOL Looking forward to it. I'm buying.

So let see and hear some stuff about about Burlington VT.
-----
Vichris

Vichris Variables

ok well i live in Burlington, Vermont. Burlington is the largest city in the state, we have about 36,000 residents in the city. We have about 5 colleges in or around the city, that makes up for a huge part of the population so in the summer time the pop drops about 2/3. Burlington is located in the Champlain Valley, and bordering town is Lake Champlain. and on the other side of the lake we have the Adirondak Mountains, so we get our sun sets over the lake then over the mountians, and on the other side of town we have the Green Mountains, Hence the name "The Green Mountain State". Burlington is the first taste of freedom i ever got after moving for a town in CT that i couldnt stand, so absolutly love it, we get some bad press from time to time, most recently a college girl got abducted and murdered which isnt a good thing, but my theory is that where ever there are people there will be crime no matter how much beauty surrounds. all in all i think Burlington is a very specials place with alot to offer, great music scene, great micro brew scene and great people.

Adam
-----
4.5 THAYERI
1.2 SPLENDIDA
1.3 ALTERNA
0.0.1 HOLD BACK RUNT ALBINO CORN
0.1.1 PYXIE FROG
0.0.1 MEXICAN RED KNEE
1.0 CHILEAN ROSE HAIR

I didn't realize Burlington had that small a population. I was in the Navy with a guy from Burlington. His name is Brad West. I still have some old pics of him. We had a blast in New Orleans.
-----
Vichris

Vichris Variables

I moved to Medford, Oregon at the beginning of June to be near my daughter. Medford is in the southwest corner of the state. We are close to the coast, the northernmost redwoods, Crater Lake National Park, and lots of other great outdoor attractions. Medford is in between the Cascade Mtns. to the east, and the Siskiyou Mtns. to the west. Good small town living so far!

Greg

those photos are soo nice greg, beautiful part of the country, i have been through a few parts of Oregon but i dont remember anything like that.

Adam
-----
4.5 THAYERI
1.2 SPLENDIDA
1.3 ALTERNA
0.0.1 HOLD BACK RUNT ALBINO CORN
0.1.1 PYXIE FROG
0.0.1 MEXICAN RED KNEE
1.0 CHILEAN ROSE HAIR

Thanks Greg,

Adams right those are some excellent pics. You really have a knack with that camera. Glad to hear your adjusting to Oregon. The NW is the only part of the country I haven't visited. I need to get up there soon. Got any spare rooms? LOL

You ought to post some pics of your previous hometown too.
-----
Vichris

Vichris Variables

Come visit,I got a spare room for ya Chris!

Prior to moving to Oregon I spent 12 years in Tucson, AZ. I spent a year in the early 90's living in the student ghetto south of UNM in Albuquerque. Like Tucson, Albuquerque has so many awesome places to go on a daytrip. I really liked it there. I've also lived in Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, New York, and New Jersey. My 12 years in Tucson was the longest I have ever lived in one place in all my life.

yard and just behind my house.
I live in the best place ever.I was born and raised here also.
Bishop,CA. is a destination and I am lucky enough to live here.Its in extreme eastern calif.
I have the White Mts in my back yard with the oldest living things in the world there,the Bristlecone Pines.
On the other side of this Huge Ownes Valley I live in there are the great Sierra Neveade Range with the Famous Mammoth Mt. Ski Resort just 45 minutes from Bishop.
One hour away to the south is Lone pine with the highest Mt Range in the Country (Mt.Whitney) and a super rich Movie History.
Tons of commercials (two in this years super bowl) are filmed up in the lone pine area.

Anyway,just about 2 hours east of the highest point in the Country is the lowest point in the country (bad water Death Valley).
There is so much Hunting,fishing,hiking,camping etc..etc.. in this area.
The weird thing is the wheather here.We have 50 degree swings all the time in one day.It is nothing for it to be 45-50 and then 95-100 12 hours later.We get down in the teens alot in the winter but seldom below zero.In the summer it gets to about 105 usually but I have seen 112 or so.

Here is Mt Tom just after a good snow storm here.Mt Tom looks over Bishop.

here is a shot of Silver Caynon just opposite Mt Tom but in the Whites.

here is a shot of my yard.Hard to believe it gets 110 here also.LOL.....

p.s. yeah the snake hunting is great here.

Shannon

That is absolutely beautiful scenery.
What a difference of temps too! I find it very amazing that nature is able to sustain in that kind of "extreme" habitat.

The New Mexico pix were amazing too. I went through "Alb", NM on my way from the East Coast to Tempe, AZ.
-----
Paul

Those are some beautiful pics. I've never been to Bishop but I have been in that general area a couple of times. Most of those areas away from the coastal citys are far different in climate and mentality than the typical California most of us are accustomed to.

I guess Bishop is REALLY unique with those wild changes in temps. I have experienced temp swings like that a couple of times but not on a regular basis.

Thanks for sharing
-----
Vichris

Vichris Variables

WOW! Those are all beautiful pictures. I'm soooo jealous. I would be embarrassed to put up some pics of Memphis compared to those.
Ken