In March 1999, at the end of a busy day exploring Albuquerque, we were guests at the Chocolate Turtle, sitting on the portal, watching  the Sandia Mountains perform their magic- changing to  watermelon and then fading into shades of grey. After the mountains' performance,  we decided that if Nancy was offered the job that she had interviewed for the previous day,  we could consider calling Albuquerque home. While it was a major  decision to leave friends and family in Baltimore after 26 years, we were ready for a new adventure.

Little did we know that five years later on that very date, we would be making another trip to the Chocolate Turtle- this time with a realtor.   After Nancy’s  return from a B&B birthday getaway with her mom and sister, we  started revisiting  a dream of working together in our own business . After researching the B&B industry and doing an internship with a wonderful innkeeper in Albuquerque, we decided to take the plunge.

Our goal was to provide warm  hospitality in a comfortable setting that reflected the  vivid colors of the southwestern sky. The Chocolate Turtle, a Corrales, New Mexico bed and breakfast, provided just the canvas we were looking for.  With the help of wonderful friends, each room was transformed into a unique setting- currently there are 14 different warm colors throughout the territorial style Albuquerque area B&B.  Great  friends continue to support us. The guests rave about Barbara’s gracious hospitality when she serves as our stand-in. In fact they seem disappointed that Barbara won’t be there when they schedule their return visit.    

From the moment they enter the front courtyard  through breakfast on the portal, guests enjoy the vibrant colors in the gardens that Nancy created.  Over breakfast, Dallas enjoys answering  guests’ questions about hot air ballooning, a new found passion since moving to New Mexico.   

While running The Turtle is quite  a change from  Dallas’s years in the Fortune 500 world  and Nancy’s years in  Economic and Workforce Development with  Community Colleges, our new role as  innkeepers is a perfect fit. Yes- it is hard word at times, but it’s fun and rewarding.  Repeat visits and  frequent comments from our guests that  include the terms “warm, comfortable, beautiful setting ” –  indicates we are accomplishing what we set out to do.