We’ve packed up the car Griswold style and we’re headed to see my grandparents in Albuquerque, NM.  Haven’t seen them in over 6 years and our kids have never been out west.

Hoping to ride some old coal driven trains, climb the Sandia Mountains and eat enough green chiles to warrant extra time in the bathroom.

Some of the questions our children asked when we told them about this trip were:

1.  Do cowboys still exist and are they hunting indians?  If so, can we hunt one and take his bow & arrow?
2.  Are there volcanos in New Mexico?
3.  Will we need a translator to talk to your family because they’re from New Mexico?
4.  Should we watch a lot of Dora the Explorer before we go?
5.  Can you cut down a cactus so we can eat it when are in the desert?

To all of which we replied “yes”.