Southwest Silver Sisters Meet

Ruth “ravenjourney”, Carolyn “Carolyn” and Dede “wtxgray” met for the first time on a wonderful whirlwind tour of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rich in culture, history, and amazing artisan shops, the girls found lots to do, and see. . . and eat! But, most of all, they found the Silver Sisters magic, feeling a great kinship with each other, and laughing all the way. Carolyn said, when she got home, her sides hurt from laughing so much!

It was quite a gameplan. Ruth drove up to Albuquerque, met Carolyn for coffee , where they both were all smiles! Then Carolyn took over “tour guide” duties. First stop, pick up Dede at the airport, flying in from Texas.

Dede says, “I loved walking off of the plane and finding Ruth and Carolyn waiting, and as I got closer and closer to them…it was obvious that I would be the Jolly Gray Giant of the day! Holy smokes…I was a foot taller than both of them!”

First stop, Nob Hill, a mix of art galleries, antique shops, clothing boutiques, jewelry stores, music venues and theaters. And what do they do? Find a shoe sale! And, of course, Dede, a Texas gal, loves these silver and gray boots! We’re lovin’ her silver/white hair!

Next, it was time for a little hat try-on. Dede had brought her own GGLG baseball cap (the other two hadn’t arrived yet), and Ruth and Carolyn both felt the need to “hat up”, too.

Then it was off to a Nob Hill lunch at Scalo’s. Ruth admitted she was tired of food from Northern New Mexico with the mandatory red and green chiles (the State Motto is “Red and Green”), so an Italian restaurant seemed a welcome and delicious choice. And here we see that Dede really is the tall Texas gal!

After lunch, it was off to the Old Town section of Albuquerque. For almost three centuries, this Historical Zone has been the crossroads of the Southwest. A once serene village, the focal point of community life since 1706, it’s filled today with over 150 shops, galleries, boutiques and artists studios.

The gals ambled around for a bit, finding the most amazing things. Including a statue of the Virgin Mary carved right into a tree.

Carolyn enjoys a gallery.

Dede finds some silver inside an artist’s co-op.

Pausing in front of San Felipe de Neri Church


Sure enough, there’s Our Lady carved right into a tree.

The gals stopped outside a camera store to get a pic of the many shades of silver! Ruth and Carolyn are gainin’ on ya, Dede!

As the day was winding down, everyone needed some fuel. So they stopped at a treat shop, where Dede discovered Bischochito, a cookie made with anise, sugar and cinnamon. It is the official State Cookie. You should note that only New Mexico has an official State Cookie!

And just outside the treat shop, they discovered a Great Gray! Ruth said “She had the most fabulous cascade of curls! We stopped her and told her all about GGLG, gave her a card, and shared a bit. She thought it was fantastic!”

But perhaps the most amazing thing of all was the hotrod! The girls got their cameras ready, gave the driver a big thumbs up, and he proceeded to circle the block three times to make sure they got the shot!

It was time to take Dede back to the airport, and they waited with her for the plane. Another Silver Sisters Meet over, another treasure of happy memories to share.


love this meet up!!! you all look so silvery and happy!!
i love “our lady” in the tree!!! see how nice she looks in blue?

Posted by louann on 01/17 at 09:17 AM

Beautiful ladies.  You all look great! 

Jane xx

Posted by Jane on 01/17 at 10:37 AM

Great.  It looks like you ladies had a great day.  It is so wonderful to see the different shades of gray.  Each has a unique color!!  I have to say my favorite picture is the one from behind where the lighting “sunshine” brings out your individual true color.  Beautiful.

Posted by Carol A. on 01/17 at 11:59 AM

This was such treat! Thanks so much for sharing your Great Gray Day with us! grin

Posted by lulubell on 01/17 at 12:15 PM

This was great! I love old town ABQ and the photo of all of your silver locks. Beautiful!

Ruthmgon

Posted by ruthmgon on 01/17 at 02:06 PM

Wow!  such great pictures of the sight and such beautiful shades of silver!  It looks like you all had a really fun day. Love the hats too!

Posted by Aziza on 01/17 at 05:52 PM

It looks like you had a wonderful day, and you all look great! Carolyn, you look almost ready to graduate! Dede you have fab length! Ruth,your hair is transitioning beautifully, no harsh lines anywhere, just ‘ripples’ at the back! grin

Posted by Chrissy on 01/18 at 04:20 AM

We did have such a great time!  I highly recommend getting together with fellow Silver Sisters every chance you get!  I just flew to ABQ for the day, and it was a breeze...and well worth it!  I can’t wait to watch Ruth and Carolyn graduate!  Let’s have another get together when each of them graduate, and EVERYONE should come!!!
~dede

Posted by wtxgray on 01/18 at 07:37 AM

I LOVE the pictures of you guys together!  You all look so vibrant and happy!  and the hair colors are gorgeous!
(and how neat to be met at the airport by silver sisters smile

a dear friend of mine moved to ABQ last year from the east coast and lives within walking distance of that little set of stores in Nob Hill...we went there last April when I visited her!  Gotta agree with Ruth, chilis rock but sometimes you just need some garlic and pasta! (and wine...)
how fun to see familiar locations with gglg’ers right there!

thanks for yet another great meet!!

Posted by Thisyear on 01/18 at 07:39 AM

We did have an amazing time!  My sis called me from Colorado as I was driving to Albuquerque that morning..."you’re going to do what?...” and I realized it may sound nutty to my extended family (they already think I’m “different") smile I realized that I was driving to Albuquerque to meet and spend the day with two people I had never met...but we all have that “sister” feeling here and it was so much fun.

Posted by Ravenjourney on 01/18 at 02:53 PM

I loved reading this and “seeing” you three beautiful ladies! Thank you for sharing!
Cisami09

Posted by Cisami09 on 01/21 at 04:25 AM

Heee, Ruth, that always happens. LOL Friends and family have been known to think we are absolutely insane to get together with “someone you’ve met on the internet.” Of course, I don’t know why people think it’s perfectly fine for dating sites! But what they don’t understand is that we’ve all been chatting here forever, we do have a sisterhood feeling, and every once in awhile, you just have to open your heart to a new experience. Not saying it always works out, but it doesn’t always work out on Match.com, either! smirk

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/21 at 07:06 AM

Hmm..wonder what the stats are on the couples who stay together who started out on Match.com?

I love these mini-meet pics ladies!  I liken it to meeting your “pen-pal” (remember those??) in person for the first time!!

Posted by Goldie on 01/21 at 07:22 AM

Wow you guys look so good..I love all the fun you had..This reminds me the of fun we had at a Widownet meet..
Thanks for sharing..

Posted by JoJoMc on 01/25 at 12:06 PM

and we’re ready to join other events in the great southwest...Colorado anyone?  Texas? Arizona? Nevada?

and our hats did finally get here!  Seems that when Diana sent the hats to New Mexico from NY someone in the post office decided that maybe they needed to go thru customs.

No!  not Mexico, NEW MEXICO is one of our 50!!

Posted by Carolyn on 01/27 at 05:47 AM

Carolyn, Colorado IS doing a mini-meet. See the license plate up on the Silver Sisters Meets page.  The Texas gals have also talked about one around the DFW area, but so far, no Team Leader and no plans. Yet. Gotta have at least a Team Leader to get a license plate up.

Don’t get me started on those hats.  cool grin

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/27 at 05:58 AM

I would love to join in on a Colorado meet...Carolyn, pick me up on the way!!!

Posted by Ravenjourney on 01/27 at 06:39 AM

Goldie.  I just read your post about meeting your pen pal.  That’s exactly what it feels like!  I felt like I really already knew Dede and Carolyn before we ever met.  Just needed to meet them in person.  I was hoping to meet you, too, but the job in Spokane never panned out.

Posted by Ravenjourney on 01/27 at 06:41 AM

You two better start PMing Ruth! And don’t forget to take your hats! LOL

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/27 at 06:44 AM

Ravenjourney- It’s probably just as well, since I moved myself...in the other direction!  So, until we can meet, we’ll have to settle for pen pals!  I hope you found work where you’re at!

Posted by Goldie on 01/27 at 07:35 AM

Goldie.  No work!  Have decided not to stress, I live in a very small community.  Jobs are scarce, but I am sure the right one will come with some patience.  In the mantime, I am enjoying staying home with my almost 5-year-old.  Having him at all was nothing short of a miracle, and I am enjoying him completely.  smile Also working on my sewing biz.

Posted by Ravenjourney on 01/27 at 07:44 AM

I just read my post.  I meant Meantime, not mantime...but not far from the truth!  I am surrounded by men.  Even my grandchildren who live next door are boys!  smile

Posted by Ravenjourney on 01/27 at 07:46 AM

Good for you Ravenjourney!  You’re one talented lady!

Posted by Goldie on 01/27 at 07:48 AM

Heee...nothing wrong with a little “mantime”!!

Posted by Goldie on 01/27 at 07:48 AM

I feel your pain Ravenjourney.  3 boys of my own (16, 19 and 23) all at home plus hubby.  Talk about testosterone overload.

Posted by Chrysalis on 01/27 at 07:52 AM

Looks like you all had a blast.  Look at you, Dede!!  Fantastic, and Ruth and Carolyn, you ladies are well on your way, too!

Posted by newbie2 on 02/03 at 10:09 AM

wow...what a great outing.  your hair all looks so very pretty.  jade

Posted by Jadejou on 02/06 at 03:35 PM

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