Photo by Erin FredrichsTribune

Tribune

Life is full of uncertainty. While I've been in New Mexico for nearly two years, I have barely scratched the surface of what there is to do and see. But I don't know how much longer I'll be here and I'm not finished getting to know this state. Not being easily daunted by the challenge of cramming as much into life as possible, I've adopted a new mantra. Live it up. Explore. Step out of my apartment, leave the city limits. Go see what makes this state such an incredible place to call home.

More Viewfinder

• Viewfinder: The Rubik's con
• Viewfinder: Why I love it
• Viewfinder: What fun it is to ride and ski . . .

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

Life is full of uncertainty. While I've been in New Mexico for nearly two years, I have barely scratched the surface of what there is to do and see. But I don't know how much longer I'll be here and I'm not finished getting to know this state. Not being easily daunted by the challenge of cramming as much into life as possible, I've adopted a new mantra.

Live it up. Explore. Step out of my apartment, leave the city limits. Go see what makes this state such an incredible place to call home.

The people are fascinating. The landscape is breathtaking. The possibility for adventure is limitless. I'm trying to drink as much of it in while I can.

On a recent jaunt, I stopped at the Blue Ribbon Bar in Estancia. Parked out front were several Harley-Davidson motorcycles — a sure-fire indication that fun was to be had.

The eyes of the Final Chapter biker club members lit up when my girlfriends and I asked if we could join them at the picnic tables on the patio. Though their throaty voices, long gray beards and pure biker attitudes were slightly intimidating, we ended up having a blast that afternoon. Conversation vacillated from politics (the bikers aren't voting for Hillary) to organic farming, to gas prices and, of course, the wonders of the Land of Enchantment.

Sitting apart from the rest of the group was a biker with the name Monkey emblazoned on his denim jacket. As the conversation buzzed around me, I watched Monkey and imagined he was doing exactly as I was — enjoying the late afternoon sun and the chatter of friends, losing himself in the pleasure of his weekend adventure.