Located just 15 minutes from Albuquerque is the San Pedro Creek Preserve,  home to probably 40 wild horses.  The New Mexico Horse Project has been the over seer for the wild horses.  The pictures taken 6/2010 show at least 6 babies in the group.    Campbell Ranch, the owner of the several thousand acres has been kind enough to allow the wild horses to roam wild and undisturbed for several years.

Seeing wild horses grazing is just one of the benefits of living in the East Mountains! The horses are left undisturbed except for occasional round ups to DNA and sometimes to remove a horse to prevent in breeding.   DNA taken from some of the herd prove their bloodlines can be traced to the original Mustangs that were brought over by the Spaniards many years ago.

Springtime brings new babies and it is always fun to see the new little ones!  This year we have a paint, a first for the horses here in San Pedro Creek!

Saturday June 19th found us at the top of the beautiful Sandia Mountains on the 10 K Ride.  Starting at 10,000 feet this trail takes you to the ski area and the High Finance Restaurant and has some amazing views!    About a 5 mile ride;  it can be steep and rocky on some parts but mostly cool and beautiful!  We stopped beneath the  Restaurant and had a snack while the tourists enjoyed looking at the horses and clicking away!  For the brave of heart the trail takes you right to the edge and if so inclined you can  view all of Albuquerque and the amazing drop off!  Sometimes hang gliders can be seen riding the wind currents.

The view down one of the ski runs has the Ortiz Mountains as a back drop!   The Ortiz Mountains were at one time mined for gold and turquoise.  Situated on the Turquoise Trail is Golden, NM, so named for the gold mining in the Ortiz.  Rumor has it that mine shafts still exist and a few brave souls have descended to find skeletons and Indian artifacts.   Of course the mine is fenced and off limits to exploration.