Photo: 10-11-19 baby reticulated giraffes eating hay at the ABQ Biopark zoo, Albuquerque, New Mexico

After a couple of tentative solo recreational trips, using the free, door-to-door local ABQ senior transport van, I boldly scheduled a trip to a Halloween party at a senior citizen community center this morning.

Drawback..the ABQ senior transport van only allows their riders two hours tops, since the purpose is to allow seniors to do their shopping and make doctor appointments. Also, it usually takes over a week to schedule a ride.

My last trip, to the ABQ Bopark zoo, two weeks ago, was a disaster in that the internal zoo train wasn't running, and directions, location and warning signs weren't in place, or were outdated.

I ended up walking in circles for hours in 45 degrees and wind, trying to find the train that takes passengers to the botanic gardens and aquarium, while I was freezing in a lightweight hiking outfit and windbreaker jacket.

When I asked staff for help or directions, they would usually make comments like, "Oh, the train isn't running TODAY..needs repairs."
No point in putting up signs, or warning people when they come in the ticket gates, of course.

After all, many/most people who visit the zoo are young parents with young kids, who already know the zoo well.

I noticed that there are bike and hiking trails along the Rio Grande water canals on zoo property, so people of all ages bring their bicycles by using city bus bike lifts, ignoring the animal/aquarium/botanic garden areas of the zoo altogether.

Also, I met several women my age, dressed like me, with Canon birding cameras who, like me, were using the wooded zoo trails for photographing passing flocks of migrating warblers.

I walked around the zoo in the cold wind, for six and half hours, then had to walk to the bus stop, rode the city bus for two hours, then walked 1/2 mile home uphill from the bus stop.

That trip left me shivering and exhausted for almost a week, and I'm just now back to my daily three-hour hikes with the coyotes and hawks.

Still, I should keep trying to find less strenuous transportation solutions.
Being isolated too much can lead to depression, no matter the trouble it takes to be with other people, or how many animals I hang out with.

The younger sister I currently live with, and her husband, have their own health issues and are often barely functioning.

My agenda is to behave as much as practical, as though I'm capable of recreational travel, to convince myself that I can do it, and to attend local senior events, despite not being able to drive, and my being in cancer recovery mode.

Since all my fancy birding camera and lens equipment is still in Thailand, and my former Thai boss has given no indication of sending it to me, despite my offering to pay her and for shipping, I looked for other options.

A couple of months ago, I finally bought a used Canon Rebel t-6, with a 300 mm lens, on Amazon.

I still was missing shots though, as the camera has trouble photographing birds in the sky.

My SS funds are limited but yesterday I ordered a Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 DI-II VC HLD All-in-One Zoom lens which claims to be able to cover most lens length needs and had great user reviews, choosing the Amazon payment by the month option.