Colorful Eye-Catching Street Art in Wildwood

We're big fans of outdoor street art, wall murals, sculptures, statues, etc. that we see when we're traveling. It's a fun way for a business to advertise while adding beauty to a particular area, plus it gives local artists a way to advertise their talents. 

A few months ago we were down in Wildwood, New Jersey and spotted a few that really caught our eye. For example, down Rio Grande Ave. the main avenue onto and off of the island you'll find eletrical boxes painted in different Wildwood beach themes. They're bright and colorful, definitely better than seeing a standard metal box sitting alongside the road. 

We photographed three of our favorites featuring the Wildwood Sightseer Boardwalk Tram Car, Love by the Moon, and the Live By The Sun artworks. Aren't they beautiful? Yes, they are!

While driving down Atlantic Ave. We spotted a colorful wall mural on one side of Roxy's building and then on the other side (the front side) we spotted the Tiki Tom's flamingo pink camping trailer. They sell frozen treats out of it during the summer tourist season. Very unique and colorful. Definitely grabs your attention when passing by.

If you're interested in seeing more street art and wall murals on the Wildwood island you can check out our previous blog posts. There are over 100+ beautiful wall murals, sculptures, statues, memorial markers, etc. that you can see. A haven for those like us who enjoy seeing outdoor street art.

Exploring Albuquerque, NM on a Budget

The state of New Mexico offers gorgeous terrain and many natural landmarks. Perhaps the most attractive sites are in the most populous city, Albuquerque. You want to visit here at some point, but you understandably worry about the cost. Here's a guide on exploring Albuquerque on a budget.

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

Image via Flickr by Bryan Ledgard

One of the great museums in the city celebrates one of Albuquerque's signature hobbies. The citizens and tourists here love balloons. The city hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta each year. It's a nine-day event that features more than 500 balloons.

A simple rule determines the winner of the event. It's the balloon that travels farthest. Some prior champions have flown so far that they reached Canada and the Atlantic Ocean! The museum features some previous winners and architectural marvels in the field of balloon construction. Anyone who travels to Albuquerque should visit the museum. Also, you should add the balloon exhibition to your vacation bucket list.

Tingley Beach

The Rio Grande evokes plenty of visions about scenic waterways and the natural beaches that surround them. Tingley Beach is one of the best places to enjoy the scenery. This recreational area is on the east side of the Rio Grande.

Originally, the waterway was Conservancy Beach. During the 1950s, the local government closed the beach to swimmers and made it a prime area for fishing. Tingley Beach is also part of a larger man-made area, Albuquerque Biological Park.

ABQ BioPark

The biological park that locals call ABQ BioPark is a huge facility. It has a 285,000-gallon aquarium, a 36-acre botanic garden, and a 64-acre zoo. With 1.5 million visitors per year, it's also the most popular tourist attraction in New Mexico. You can spend several days at this one place, and you won't spend a lot of money, either.

Zoo tickets are $14.50 for adults and $6 for children. The aquarium is the same, but you can save money by buying a joint ticket. This provides admission to both the zoo and the aquarium at a rate of $22 for adults and $8 for children. Also note that kids age 2 and under can enter free of charge. You can save even more by finding a cheap hotel room close to ABQ BioPark. By staying near the facility, you won't have to rent a car or use a ride-sharing service.

National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Are you interested in learning about the history of nuclear weapons development? One of the best places in the world to learn this story is this museum. The open deserts of New Mexico were where the government performed many of its early nuclear tests. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History chronicles this era with facts and artifacts.

The facility offers displays from the Cold War. It also shows current and future applications of nuclear science, making it an educational opportunity for parents. For a cost of $12 or less, you can spend a day exploring this Smithsonian Institute-affiliated facility.

As you can see, you'll find plenty to do in Albuquerque. Better yet, a lot of it is cheap enough that you'll have an affordable trip!

Aerial America: Southwest Collection DVD by Smithsonian Channel

As a travel blogger, I love to sit down and watch DVDs that take me to far away places and introduce me to new sights and sounds. One such DVD is this brand new Aerial America: Southwest Collection DVD by the Smithsonian Channel.

The DVD features 5 southwest beautiful states: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. The approximate running time is 230 minutes. From: The Inception Media Group.

When I was a teenager, I spent several years living in Arizona and absolutely loved it! I guess that is when I officially caught the traveling bug. Almost every weekend my family went out on road trips across the Southwest. I remember visiting Sedona, Flagstaff, Scottsdale and many other location throughout Arizona. I especially loved visiting the old deserted ghost towns!

The DVD starts with the great state of Arizona where the Grand Canyon is just one of the many magnificent marvels you get to explore. Throughout this episode you will learn about the Copper State's rich history, awe-inspiring landscapes, spectacular sunsets and the infamous gunfights that went on during the old southwest days.

Next you will move on to the Nevada episode which I really loved! I have only ventured into this state 3 times and it was many years ago. In this episode you will discover the highs & lows of the state's rich history and how it became the land of big builders and even bigger dreamers. From the old mining towns and ghost towns to the Hoover Dam, there is definitely something for everyone who wants to learn more about this great state called Nevada.

The third episode on the DVD will take you to the beautiful state of New Mexico. Out of all of the southwest states, I find New Mexico to be the prettiest. I am not sure why, but I do! During this episode you will explore some of the 121,000 square miles that make up this state. You will learn about many of the national treasures from the Rio Grande to adobe structures & dormant volcanoes of years' past. New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment and it is definitely that! The episode goes into the old cowboy tales, UFO sightings and more! Years ago I remember my family taking a trip to New Mexico to watch the famous hot air balloon races...this episode brought back all of those fond memories from that trip.

Next you will move on to the Utah portion of the DVD. I have only been in Utah twice in my lifetime and I hope to return someday soon. Utah is known as the Beehive State, a land that offers endless surprises & possibilities. From the pinnacles of Arches National Park to the white terrain of Bonnesville Salt Flats and the tragedy of the Donner Party to the arrival of Bringham Young, the state of Utah has a lot to offer to travelers...young and old alike!

Finally, you will end your visual traveling experience with the Colorado episode on the DVD. If you have never visited this great state, Colorado is known for having some of the highest peaks, tallest dunes and the largest single-site brewery in America. When I was about 15 years old...we took a trip to see all of the gorgeous Red Rock formations that are out in the dessert areas of the state. If you are into skiing, the DVD will explore a little bit of the ski slopes in Aspen too.

Overall, I LOVE this DVD! I now live on the east coast and only travel out west once every 10-12 years or so. Yes, I know I need to visit there more frequently! Watching the DVD brought back all kinds of childhood memories for me and it was nice to relive them once again. In addition, I made a bucket list of all of the destinations that I want to see (in-person) that I learned about via this fantastic DVD.

You can learn more by visiting the Smithsonian Channel online and by visiting Inception Media Group. You will find this brand new DVD release available for purchase starting on July 22nd, 2014.

Disclaimer: A free copy of this DVD was provided to me for this review. No monetary compensation has been received. My thoughts & opinions on this item are 100% my own and are unbiased. Your opinions & views may differ.

5 Things to See in Albuquerque New Mexico

5 Things to See in Albuquerque, NM
By Ronald C Baker

As a cartoon joke for many years, most people have heard of Albuquerque. But if you don't turn left and stop instead, what would you find there? More than you might think. There are so many attractions here that you will want to look into finding hotels in Albuquerque just so you can hit them all. Here are just five places you can visit:

1. Murder Mystery Dinner Event - The Spy House: This house was once where the US and Soviet Union exchanged secrets of the Atomic Bomb. Now it hosts a monthly interactive dinning experience called A Brief Case of Murder. This murder mystery gets every guest involved; everyone is given a role to play in the story and some may even have a short speaking part. It it also a B&B so you may want to stay at The Spy House or you can find an Albuquerque hotel elsewhere.

2. Rainbow Ryders: Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Company, Inc. is truly a must see. They offer hot air balloon rides year round. You can either just sit back and watch as they inflate the balloon or you can find out, hands on, what its like to be part of the crew. After you soar over the beautiful landscape, you land to a champagne toast, a certificate, and a balloon pin to commemorate you safe flight. And be sure you are in town for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, where 500 balloons take flight and other festivities are held.

3. Sandia Peak Tramway: Another way to see Albuquerque from the sky, this time by a2.7 mile tram ride. The Sandia Peak Tramway takes riders 10,000 feet to the peak of the Sandia Mountains for a 11,000 square foot view of the Rio Grande Valley. Make sure you find a Albuquerque hotel to stay at so you can take the tram at sunset, when they view of the land is the most spectacular. They also have skiing in the winter as well as biking in the summer.

4. Albuquerque Biological Park: This park is made up of four great attractions: a zoo, a botanical garden, an aquarium, and a beach. Of all the attractions mentioned so far, this is the most kid friendly. The zoo holds over 200 animals and has activities where you can get up close with some of the animals. The botanical garden has over one and a half miles of pathways, along with a butterfly pavilion and Japanese garden. Head over to the aquarium to see the 285,000 gallon shark tank and other exhibits. Finally, head over to Tingley Beach to fish, rent a peddle boat, and just relax. With so much to do, you may need to look into hotels in Albuquerque just so you can see it all!

5. Explora Science Center and Children's Museum of Albuquerque: This final destination is defiantly for the kiddies. This museum is almost entirely hands on. You can build puzzles, blow giant puzzles, make mechanics, and much more. There is also a good mix of activities for kids young and old. There is also an adult night every month so grown ups can explore as well.

Looking for a great Albuquerque hotel so you can see all the great things Albuquerque has to offer? Look no further than the Barcelona Suites of Albuquerque, NM. With comfy beds, spacious rooms, and free breakfast, what more could you want? Visit http://barcelonasuitesabq.com/ for more information.