Next Event Flyer

Subject	Date	Category	Presenter	Description
Financial Fridays! 5:00-6:30pm	Fri Sep 05	SPECIAL	Emily Estes	Join us and Emily Estes (Financial Advisor, Edward Jones) the first Friday of every month for an informal, but informative way to enjoy your evening! From 5:15-5:45pm Emily will cover various financial topics to help you live a life worth living. Stay after the talk until 6:30pm for the Q&A, casual discussion, and a beer! Remember Happy Hour is 5-6pm! Everyone welcome!
Exploring New Mexico's Special Places	Sat Sep 06	Slide Show	David Ryan	With cooler temperatures just around the corner, now is the time to get ready to explore our fantastic state. David Ryan shows us many of the special places that you can only find in New Mexico – places that are compelling and important enough to warrant a trip across the country to check out. David Ryan, who moved to New Mexico in 1998 (after completing the 2180-mile Appalachian Trail), is the author of Wandering in the Clear Light of New Mexico and the coauthor of the most recent edition of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Albuquerque. Both books are available at Travel Bug. He will be signing books at the conclusion of his talk.
Gen X Millennial Book Club	Wed Sep 10	Book Group	Zoe Michael	The Millennial Gen-X Book Club is a once-a-month fiction book club for anyone in those generations. We skew towards the queer, the tender, and the strange. If you are interested in joining us, drop by on the night of, or direct your interest to Zoe @ themillennialgenxbookclub@gmail.com This month 's book is DEMON COPPERHEAD By Barbara Kinsolver
Kennecott Alaska	Sat Sep 13	Slide Show	Richard Rindone	Richard will take you deep within the Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve, a very large but deserted mine operation that ran between 1911 to 1938 when it closed almost overnight. Everything was left behind including dishes on tables and medical records in the hospital. Richard felt as if he was transported through time wandering through the empty buildings. The Historic Landmark is located about 300 miles from Anchorage. The Kennecott Glacier Lodge operates a very nice hotel for stays while visiting. Guided tours are given daily. The remote location is rich with both history and hiking.
Europe and Great Britain	Sat Sep 20	Slide Show	Suzanne Blazier	Join Suzanne Blazier for a presentation of sites seen across Great Britain and Europe. This was a recent trip, May 2025, and included spending time in Wales, England, Amsterdam, Bruges, and Paris. The journey was 24 days, with two of those spent traveling from Albuquerque there and back. This journey was planned by Suzanne and was not part of a tour group experience.
EQUINOCTIAL STORIES	Sun Sep 21	SPECIAL	Lucinda deLorimier and Regina	Join storytellers Nash Jones, Elaine Muray, Regina Ress and Lucinda deLorimier as they mark the Fall Equinox with tales that celebrate balance. Or warn us about the perils of imbalance! These four polished performers will share some great stories, personal and traditional, that remind us to stay steady, honor the dark and light, and walk in balance. 2-3:30pm
Sierra Club: Wild Rivers Trails	Sat Sep 27	Slide Show	John Buscher	Hiking the lesser-used Wild Rivers Trails Del Dubois will share his extensive knowledge of the trails in the northern section of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. The talk will be followed with an hike guided by Del to Cerro De La Olla (Pot Mountain) on a weekend day.
Travel Bug Book Discussion 5:30 pm	Tue Sep 30	Book Group	Aimee Gwynne Franklyn	Yael van der Wouden 's "The Safekeep " Set in the Netherlands after the war, The Safekeep is a compelling tale of obsession and secrets, exploring the stories that are kept from us as children, and the stories that we tell to ourselves about our own hidden desires. Fifteen years from the end of the Second World War and the rural Dutch province of Overijssel is quiet. Bomb craters have been filled, buildings reconstructed, and the conflict is well and truly over. Isabel lives alone in her late mother 's country home, and her life is led by routine and discipline. But all is upended when her brother Louis delivers his graceless new girlfriend, Eva, at Isabel 's doorstep as a guest, there to stay for the season. Eva is Isabel 's antithesis: she sleeps late, wakes late, walks loudly through the house and touches things she shouldn 't. In response, Isabel develops a fury-fuelled obsession, and when things start disappearing around the house her suspicions spiral out of control. In the sweltering heat of summer, Isabel 's desperate desire for order transforms into infatuation – leading to a discovery that unravels all she has ever known. The war might not be well and truly over after all, and neither Eva – nor the house – are what they seem. Everyone welcome
Financial Fridays! 5:00-6:30pm	Fri Oct 03	SPECIAL	Emily Estes	Join us and Emily Estes (Financial Advisor, Edward Jones) the first Friday of every month for an informal, but informative way to enjoy your evening! From 5:15-5:45pm Emily will cover various financial topics to help you live a life worth living. Stay after the talk until 6:30pm for the Q&A, casual discussion, and a beer! Remember Happy Hour is 5-6pm! Everyone welcome!
Two Sticks, One Path	Sat Oct 04	Booksigning	Darrow Kirkpatrick	Two Sticks, One Path: A Journey Beyond Fear on the Colorado Trail Stunning photos and moving narration from the memoir about a six-year-long section hike of the highest long trail in the country... on crutches! Two Sticks, One Path is a heartfelt memoir that chronicles a journey of resilience and determination. The narrative unfolds against the majestic but stricken Rocky Mountains, tracing the author 's evolution from a young boy enamored with the wilderness to a man grappling with physical disability and crippling anxiety. The author 's boyhood dream is put to the ultimate test as he battles injuries, self-doubt, and the unforgiving elements of nature. Armed with crutches and commitment, he embarks on a journey that is as much about self-discovery as it is about survival.
Spanish	Tue Oct 07	Spanish	Fabiana	Conversational (Latin-American) Spanish Intermediate I This is a NINE-week session. We will continue with the group as we advance in the learning process. We will achieve our goals through several class sessions. This session will start on: Tuesdays, 10:00–12:30 p.m. Oct. 7– Dec. 9, 2025 NO CLASS ON OCTOBER 14 Location: In person at The Travel Bug Class Size: Limited to 3–7 students. Cost: $540 for the full nine-week session. Payment is non-refundable and must be made through Zelle, cash, or check before the start of the first class. For questions, feel free to contact Fabiana directly via email faradunsk@yahoo.com
Spanish	Tue Oct 07	Spanish	Fabiana	Conversational (Latin-American) Spanish Intermediate II! This is a nine-week session. We will continue with the group as we advance in the learning process. We will achieve our goals through several class sessions. This session will start on: Tuesdays, 1:00–3:30 p.m., Oct. 7- Dec. 9, 2025 NO CLASS ON OCTOBER 14 Location: In person at The Travel Bug Class Size: Limited to 3–7 students. Cost: $540 for the full six-week session. Payment is non-refundable and must be made through Zelle, cash, or check before the start of the first class. For questions, feel free to contact Fabiana directly via email faradunsk@yahoo.com
GUATEMALA: Traditions, Textiles and Evolving Culture	Sat Oct 11	Slide Show	Judith Haden	The long history of endemic poverty, a horrific civil war, and sudden computerization are all colliding to create much adaptation within the ancient, mystical Guatemalan indigenous culture. But all is not lost! Join Judith for an informative presentation accompanied by her stunning photography.
Beer Hiking	Sat Oct 18	Booksigning	Kevin Holsapple	Join New Mexico author Kevin Holsapple for a unique and captivating presentation on the niche pursuit of "beer hiking. " In this special booksigning event, Kevin will take you on a journey around the world with a stunning slideshow of images from his global beer hiking adventures, including some of the best from his new book, Beer Hiking Southern Rockies. The presentation will delve into the art of combining breathtaking hikes with visits to local breweries, sharing the stories behind the trails and the craft beer scenes that define these communities. Following the slideshow, Kevin will host a Q&A session, followed by a booksigning. A drawing will be held for a custom Beer Hiker 's Kit designed by Kevin. Come for the adventure, stay for the stories, and enjoy a cold beer from Travelbug. It 's the perfect evening for outdoor enthusiasts and craft beer lovers alike!
How to Tell a Story	Fri Oct 24	SPECIAL	Nancy King
The Road: An American Love Story	Sat Oct 25	Slide Show	Andrew Singer and Sarah May	Life has a lot of speed bumps, and many of us have hit a proverbial detour or two, leading us to the tarmac and the 'for spacious skies ' of the American West. From remote public lands to overcrowded national parks, from solo self-reflection to a culture consumed with selfies—the road still calls us, teaches us, and ultimately changes us. Join van-lifers and authors Andrew Singer and Sarah May for a journey across the American West, and a dynamic discussion of the road 's place in love, healing, and exploration. Married and full-time nomads, Andrew is the author of the travel memoir Now Is the Time: A Van Life Road Trip, and Sarah is the author of She Journeys: A Memoir of Heartbreak and Homecoming. Both books are available to purchase at Travel Bug, and available at the event. Tour Andrew & Sarah 's self-built campervan from 4:00-4:45pm. Presentation at 5:00pm, followed by Q&A.
Update on Mexican Border	Sat Nov 01	Lecture	Morgan Smith
Financial Fridays! 5:00-6:30pm	Fri Nov 07	SPECIAL	Emily Estes	Join us and Emily Estes (Financial Advisor, Edward Jones) the first Friday of every month for an informal, but informative way to enjoy your evening! From 5:15-5:45pm Emily will cover various financial topics to help you live a life worth living. Stay after the talk until 6:30pm for the Q&A, casual discussion, and a beer! Remember Happy Hour is 5-6pm! Everyone welcome!
Medicinal Plants of Northern New Mexico	Sat Nov 08	Slide Show	Jessie Emerson	Nature to the Rescue Jessie Emerson, RN, herbalist has travelled the mountains, foothills, and uplands of northern new Mexico for many years. She will take us on a field trip where we will learn to identify plants and learn how to use them in emergency situations. This presentation is intended to educate those interested in natural medicine and learning about the plants where they live or visit. Our focus is the plants traditionally used by historic and contemporary Northern New Mexicans. Her newest book Nature to the Rescue will be available at the talk.
Spanish in Merida, Mexico	Sun Nov 09	SPECIAL	Greg	We are presenting a one week Spanish conversation class with our Spanish teacher, Clara Evans, at our hacienda near Merida, Mexico. Dates are tentative If you are interested in joining please email us for more information: travelbug@mapsofnewmexico.com
Petra Rephotographed	Sat Nov 15	Slide Show	Kaelin Groom	Join Dr. Kaelin Groom for a visual exploration of the magical ruined city of Petra, Jordan through the lens of repeat photography — a method that recreates historic photographs from the same vantage point to show change over time. This event blends landscape storytelling, archival research, and cultural geography to celebrate Petra 's resilience, people, and the site 's layered history. Audiences will walk away with new insights on heritage, memory, and the power of repeat imagery.
Italian Dolomites	Sat Nov 22	Slide Show	Ken Collins	"The Dolomites are a portion of the European Alps located in far northern Italy, close to the Austrian border. In fact, until the end of World War I, much of the region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but was ceded to Italy as a "reward " for coming in on the side of the Allies. Much of the region is stilll more Germanic than Italian, with German the first language and customs and cuisine remaining predominantly Austrian. Sprinkled with beautiful small towns, its claim to fame is the stunning alpine scenery and the abundance of hiking trails and "rifugios " - luxurious trailside restaurants offering lodgings for those walking long distances. Along with the knock-out setting, there is a wealth of brilliantly-colored wildflowers in spring and summer. A short distance from the Dolomites is the Italian lake district, and of the numerous famous lakes, Lake Garda is remarkable for its jewel-like placement surrounded by steep cliffs and mountain sides spilling down to the water. While small cities along the lake shore are popular with holiday makers, the area also offers some dramatic walks. This program will highlight some of the beauty of this area, based on a trip my husband and I made there in June 2024, before the peak and crowded July - August period. " - Ken Collins
Botswana in the Green Season	Sat Nov 29	Slide Show	Evalyn Bemis	We have enjoyed traveling in several countries in Africa over the past 15 years, from Namibia to Kenya, but have always been there outside of the rainy seasons to allow for maximum viewing of wildlife and ease of getting around. For this trip we deliberately wanted to go during the "summer ", or rainy time in Botswana, in order to see the animals healthy, with lots to eat and many with new life at their sides. In most peoples ' minds, the Kalahari is a ferocious and unforgiving desert. In February, it was awash in green, with large playas of collected rainwater and abundant herds of oryx, impala, and zebras. In turn, that meant resident lion prides looking fat and happy. To the northwest, the famous Okavango Delta was not flooded but still well-watered. We witnessed packs of wild dogs hunting, lions and leopards on the prowl, and birds of every size, shape and color, including big flocks in a heron rookery.
Financial Fridays! 5:00-6:30pm	Fri Dec 05	SPECIAL	Emily Estes	Join us and Emily Estes (Financial Advisor, Edward Jones) the first Friday of every month for an informal, but informative way to enjoy your evening! From 5:15-5:45pm Emily will cover various financial topics to help you live a life worth living. Stay after the talk until 6:30pm for the Q&A, casual discussion, and a beer! Remember Happy Hour is 5-6pm! Everyone welcome!
Buy a home for $1 in ITALY	Sat Dec 06	Slide Show	Melanie Lamb Faithful	Have you ever dreamed of living in a medieval Italian town? In wine country? At a price much less than you can imagine? We live this dream as Italian half-timers. And the "buy a house for a dollar plan " will be explained. There are so many options for people who are craving la dolce vita.
Giving a Voice to the Unhoused	Sat Dec 13	SPECIAL	Jean Palmer	Join us for a panel discussion with people sharing stories of their lives unhoused and housed in Santa Fe. Learn more about the issue of being homeless and what you can do to help. After a presentation by a panel of people with the lived experience of being homeless, audience members shared their biggest take aways. Some of the comments: “These were just a few of the many “stories” of people who are unhoused. The authenticity of each story touched my heart.” “Great! Thank you. Awesome presentation! Thank you! Lived experience is so important – it humanizes the issue”. “The presentations reinforced the humanity of people who are or were unhoused. So powerful to hear their stories”. “Homeless populations are not monolithic. Every story is different and we need to stay open and empathetic.
Sailing the Pacific for 9 Years	Sat Dec 20	Slide Show	Roxy Podlogar	Roxy and her husband, Carl Podlogar, sold all their possessions and began living aboard their ocean-going catamaran, Sky Pond, in February 2016. They embarked on a circumnavigation of the Pacific Ocean from Vietnam, sailing in the "wrong direction " against the prevailing currents and wind to northern British Columbia, then south to Mexico, and finally returning to Australia in December 2024. This story highlights Roxy 's journey as she pursued her dream of becoming a watercolor artist while also striving to acquire a high level of seamanship quickly. It includes photos of their sailing adventure, paintings created in iconic locations, and short stories corresponding to their sailing route and the specific anchorages where she painted her landscapes.
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