This week we are heading to the northern parts of the state to check out the fun found there. Ice caves, volcanoes, and hot air balloons will take us on a fun few days of activity.
Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano
Found in the far NW corner of the state near Grants, the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano are open year round. There are two distinctive opportunities here – fire and ice. The ice cave is located in the lava flow from the volcano, which has a flow of 20 miles long. The cave is in part of the collapsed lava flow that created a single cave with the right geologic features to essentially create an ice-box. The cave temperature never rises above 31°F. The annual rain fall and snow melt seeps in, creating additional ice accumulation each year. There are two trails available for walking, one going to the ice cave and the other to the volcano.
Each fall, what seems like thousands of balloons congregate in Albuquerque, NM. It is a week and a half or so of daily mass ascensions, glows, and entertainment. It is a glorious sight to see all of the balloons rise into the air and hang there, slow moving around. If you are lucky, “the box” will be working and the balloons will be able to rise, go around and around the valley in a box figure, and the land again on the balloon fields. It is amazing to see the balloons up close and see how big some of them are. There are beautiful ones, shaped ones, figures you’ll know, and figures you won’t. There are sponsored ones and fun ones. Balloons to make you smile and some to surprise you. If you are lucky, you might go up in one. Some of my family has been able to serve on a balloon team, helping get it in the air, chase it after it ascends, and then help it land.
This is a sight to behold if you can. There is nothing like it, especially if “the box” is going strong. A definitely joy.
We were able to visit the International Balloon Fiests in 2015 and I created a hot air balloon unit for my girls to work with before we left so they would understand more about the balloons. We also did a hot air/cold air experiment.
Thanks for joining us this week!
Blessings,
Lori, At Home.
Each week we will be linking up with the hosts of Blogging Through the Alphabet. Please visit some of these other blogs to get things like book lists, vegan recipes, and wonderful places to visit, just to name the topics I can think of off the top of my head.
- Amanda @ Hopkins Homeschool
- Christine @ Life’s Special Necessities
- Kimberly @ Vintage Blue Suitcase
- Dawn @ Schoolin’ Swag
- Wendy @ Life On Chickadee Lane
- Yvonne @ The Life We Build
- Jennifer @ A Peace Of Mind
- Kristen @ A Mom’s Quest To Teach
- Kirsten @ DoodleMom Homeschool
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Tagged: ABC blogging, field trips, hot air balloons, New Mexico, travel/trips
At Home 
The hot air balloon festival looks like a lot of fun. We had some hot air balloons in our town a little while back that were beautiful, but not nearly that many.
I have always loved hot air balloons and remember fondly the Sunday mornings at my grandparents house in Albuquerque. We would often see several balloons go up on Sunday mornings while driving to church. Albuquerque is a great place to see balloons but the sheer quantity at the balloon fiesta is what makes it amazing.
The ice cave sounds so cool! What a wonderful opportunity to explore science.
It is. I love the contrast available in that single place.
I have to admit.. I was VERY shocked to read New Mexico has an ice cave. I don’t know why…but the whole lava and ice thing is very odd to me. 🙂
I know. I still find it strange to have those to things so very close together.
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I was really intrigued by the ice cave in the title. That’s amazing that there’s ice there!
I have been to an ice cave before in Arizona and it was interesting. I hope to visit this one sometime soon.
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