August 1-4 - Albuquerque

The National Atomic Museum (on Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque) has an eerie display of bombs, missiles, and the history of nuclear weapons.

Two hours southwest of Albuquerque is the VLA , a collection of 27 not-so-small radio antennas. A self-guided tour lets you walk up to one of these antennas to get a feel for its size, and there's a little museum, complete with a bit on the filming of the movie Contact (and its embellishments).       34.0800, -107.6200 

My college friend Nico behind the bar at his brewpub (Turtle Mountain Brewing Company ), and his son, Porter.

Nico, Liz, and Porter with beer at a tasting at the nearby Anasazi Fields Winery , where they make dry fruit wines.