VACATION DIRECTORY ™
travelnewmex.com • summer/winter 2018
central new mexico 2
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Contents
Map Color Indicates Region Throughout Directory
NORTHWEST
NORTH-CENTRAL/ NORTHEAST
CENTRAL
SOUTHWEST
PUBLISHERS
EDITOR
MATT GANTNER WILLIAM HALSEY
AUTUMN GRAY
SOUTHEAST
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES SCOTT SIMMONS ERIN DE GROOT
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS ASHLEY CONNER DANA BENJAMIN
WRITERS
AUTUMN GRAY MARY ANN HATCHITT
The New Mexico Vacation Directory is published once a year in May by Moon Dog Publishing, Albuquerque, N.M. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented in this guide. The publisher does not take responsibility for the accuracy or legitimacy of the advertisers’ messages or that of the guest writers/ columnists or any aspect of the business operation or conduct of the advertisers in the magazine. For information and advertising rates, call (505) 350-8695 or (505) 259-7969. 9400 Holly Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87122
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.TRAVELNEWMEX.COM
6: Northwestern New Mexico: Rocks, Roads and Bling 8: Northeastern New Mexico: A Raucous Past Among Varied Vistas 8: Southwestern New Mexico: Frontiers, Old and New 10: Artesia: Intimate & Accessible Fun 12: Southeastern New Mexico: Caves, Casinos and Culture 14: Los Lunas Sits at Crossroads to History 16: Auditing New Mexico Cuisine 20: Socorro - You've got to see it! 22: Las Cruces Farmers, Crafts Market Delights Year-Round 24: A Taste of History 26: New Mexico State Parks 30: The New Stanley Cyclone Center Adventure for Everyone 32: Angel Fire, New Mexico Events 35: Taos Pueblo's Living Community Has Much to be Admired 36: Mountain Town Raton Offers Culture Amid Slower Pace 37: Explore Raton - Fresh Air, Cloudless Days, and FUN! 38: Santa Fe Area Home Builders Present 26th Annual Haciendas-A Parade of Homes 40: Alamogordo, New Mexico 42: Pop a Pistachio: New Mexico’s Other Tasty Treat 43: Rocketeer Academy Rocks STEM 44: New Mexico Movie Locations Show Tourists the State Through a New Lens 47: W!LD MOON COUTURE...23-YEAR ANNIVERSARY! 50: North-Central New Mexico: History, Art, Culture 51: CHAMA: New Mexico’s Mecca for Year-Round Fun 54: RT 66 • Casino Hotel
life is short. ride long. Let’s not mess around. Let’s get on board the longest and highest narrow gauge railroad in the nation. Let’s take America’s best scenic train ride from Antonito, Colorado or Chama, New Mexico. See the unspoiled West. Feel the rails underneath us. Listen to the steam whistle. The modern world can wait until we’re good and sooty and done.
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where do you belong?
San JosĂŠ de los Jemez church, New Mexico Historic Sites
Join us at Jemez Historic Site for Pueblo Independence Day Sunday, August 12, 2018. The Cultural Atlas of New Mexico leads you to historic and cultural places throughout the Land of Enchantment. Organized by region, proximity and interest, the Cultural Atlas will help you find where you belong.
http://atlas.nmculture.org www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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Northwestern New Mexico: Rocks, Roads and Bling If natural beauty, rich history, outdoor activities, culturallyimmersive shopping experiences and perhaps a spin at a great casino sound like criteria for your next adventure, look to the stunning landscapes of picturesque Northwest New Mexico. Whether you venture to the Four Corners monument (where you can stand in four states simultaneously), are drawn to the ancient mystery of Chaco Canyon, join in the annual Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremony from August 3-12, or cruise historic Route 66, there is much in this part of New Mexico to heighten the senses and stir dormant primal connections.
discover O Keeffe GALLERIES
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HOME AND STUDIO GOKM.ORG
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STORE
MARIA CHABOT. GEORGIA O’KEEFFE HITCHING A RIDE TO ABIQUIU, 1944. PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT. GIFT OF THE MARIA CHABOT LITERARY TRUST.
Amid 200 million-year-old cliffs outside Gallup is the Red Rock Park and Museum, featuring interpretive displays of ancient Anasazi culture alongside modern art from the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni tribes.
Immerse yourself in antiquity at El Morro, (south of Interstate 40, west of Ramah on NM 53) where fragments of history and ancient cultures are embedded in the great sandstone promontory. Here, Spanish and American travelers rested and carved their signatures, dates and messages for hundreds of years. Trading posts and shops throughout Northwestern New Mexico offer a variety of new and old Native American arts and crafts, including painting, pottery, jewelry and fetish carving. The second Friday of every month from February through October, there are art walks from 5-9 p.m. at Farmington’s downtown galleries, in addition to Farmington’s four larger monthly art walks that take place in April, June, August and November. Venture along historic Route 66 experiencing the motels, diners and neon of the era as the "Mother Road" winds its way west of Albuquerque. The Gallup Cultural Center in the old railway depot offers a storyteller museum and displays on trains, mining, weaving, Native American sand and silver art forms, and the stories of Route 66. Zuni Pueblo Cultural Arts Expo is scheduled for August at the pueblo (dates TBD), and the 13th annual Zuni Fair is set for August 31 through September 2. Visit http://www.zunitourism.com/events_calendar.htm for updates and other activities. Guided tours at the pueblo include an integrated walking tour of the historic village neighborhood and two archaeology tours. There are also opportunities for arts and cooking demonstrations. Unfortunately, the old Zuni mission is closed for the foreseeable future due to deteriorating structural conditions. To get to Zuni, take Interstate 40 for 85 miles west of Albuquerque, then exit 82 to NM53/NM-122 W, and turn right onto Chavez Circle for 74 miles. A scenic drive off I-40 east of Grants escorts you to the other-worldly volcanic flows of El Malpais National Monument. Take exit 89 off I-40 onto NM Highway 117, which travels the eastern boundary of the park. The Bureau of Land Management's Ranger Station is located nine miles south of this exit and is open daily. Take a stop from your scenic tour of the region at Sky City Casino Hotel on I-40, east of Grants. Sky City offers 24-hour gaming with more than 640 of the newest and hottest slot and video poker machines, Las Vegas-style table games, bingo, and live entertainment, with fine accommodations and dining all in one place.
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Northeastern New Mexico: A Raucous Past Among Varied Vistas Northeastern New Mexico's diverse terrain includes everything from the state’s highest mountain, to the valleys and clear water streams of the Pecos River. As a result, this quadrant of New Mexico has some of the most breathtaking scenery to be found anywhere. As expansive as the mesa is the area’s history, which includes outlaws, Rough Riders, a raucous cow town and the dwellings of ancient civilizations. Experience the mystery and intrigue of the historic St. James Hotel in Cimarron, a tiny community with a storied past that includes Buffalo Soldiers and train robbers. Make a stop along the legendary Santa Fe Trail into the once-bustling cattle town in Las Vegas, where Teddy Roosevelt came to recruit the Rough Riders. The Las Vegas Museum and Rough Rider Collection tell the stories of Roosevelt’s
charge on San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War. Venture to nearby Fort Union and walk through the territorial style adobe remnants of the region’s largest 19th century military fort. Recognized for its antique shopping opportunities, Las Vegas provides a chance to learn the New Mexico Harvey House story, or you can follow along the Las Vegas Film Trail to locales from some classic movies. Nestled among the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains just six miles from the Colorado border, hospitable Raton offers fresh air, expansive scenery, a variety of recreational activities, a vibrant art scene and regular downtown events. A dozen miles northeast of Raton, you’ll find camping, fishing and hiking in Sugarite Canyon. About 40 miles west of town, enjoy the abundant wildlife of the ultimate outdoor adventure on Ted Turner’s 585,000-acre Vermejo Park Ranch. And don’t miss the National Rifle Association’s largest shooting range in the U.S. NRA Whittington Center is located southwest of Raton.
Southwestern New Mexico: Frontiers, Old and New Smack dab in the middle of Southwestern New Mexico is Spaceport America. Built as a hub for future space travel, the facility is situated along a path followed centuries ago by other like-minded souls seeking a new frontier. Visitors will enjoy the newly updated exhibits included in the Spaceport America Experience Tour Gallery. The futuristic facility, with its two long runways, stands in stark contrast to the many historical landmarks dating back hundreds of years throughout this quadrant of New Mexico. Nearby, the tiny agricultural community of Hatch proudly produces New Mexico’s famous green chile. Name recognition of New Mexico’s beloved signature crop from Hatch is growing nationwide. The region is also home to many pecan orchards and vineyards. 8
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Just outside of Las Cruces, stop in for a glass of awardwinning wine or pick up a fine vintage to take home at Rio Grande Winery. Owned and operated by Gordon Steel, the winery is a sweet oasis in the desert, with a panoramic vista of the Mesilla Valley included. Some say the grapes at Rio Grande Winery are blessed since they are harvested by cloistered monks in a deal Steel worked out with a New Mexico monastery. Once a railroad hub, Las Cruces is home to New Mexico State University and serves as a center for agriculture, science and technology research. A short jaunt to the southwest part of Las Cruces and you’ll find yourself in the quaint village of Old Mesilla with its distinctive central plaza and shopping venues. Head west toward New Mexico’s bootheel and enjoy the rustic ambiance of Deming, Lordsburg and bordertown Columbus. Check local listings in these areas for reenactments of life on the frontier. Civil war history, mining, prospectors and the Wild West are all part of the texture of Silver City, located just three miles east of the Continental Divide. (continued on Page 12)
UNPLUG AND CONNECT
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
FarmingtonNM.org
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southeastern new mexico
Artesia: Intimate & Accessible Fun Anyone wanting to explore Southeastern New Mexico for a few days need look no further than Artesia for an ideal spot to spend a few nights. Located in the heart of the Pecos Valley, right at the crossroads of highways U.S. 285 and U.S. 82, it combines a perfect spot on the map with some of the most reasonable lodging rates around. Once there, begin by exploring downtown Artesia’s Historic Walking Tour, History in Bronze Collection, Peter Hurd Mural located in the Public Library (named “New Mexico’s Most Beautiful Library”), and an evening celebrating the arts at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center. Downtown Artesia also features unique boutiques and eateries, including its very own microbrewery – The
Wellhead Brew Pub & Restaurant. Artesia is home to the 2014 New Mexico Chef of the Year – chef Chloe at The Adobe Rose Restaurant. Plan ahead to participate in one of Artesia’s community events. Consider Artesia’s Balloons & Tunes Festival. It’s a great way for the The Ocotillo Performing Arts Center entertains and educates the public with live performances, monthly art shows and performing arts classes. (Photo Credit: AdVenture Marketing)
family or a group of friends to spend the weekend, celebrate a milestone birthday, or even a unique bachelor or bachelorette get-away.
• Ideally Located on Highway 285 Just One Block from Main Street within Walking Distance of Artesia’s Finest Restaurants and Shops • Free WiFi Throughout • Free Breakfast with Custom-Made Hot Breakfast Sandwiches • Complementary Use of Nearby Artesia Health and Racquet Club with Free Weights and Exercise Pool • Flat Screen TVs with DVD Player in Every Room • Microwave and Refrigerator in Every Room • Work Desk with Built-In Power Strip and Ergonomic Desk Chair in Every Room • Home of the Tower Lounge with Full Cocktail Service • We are a Completely Non-Smoking Hotel
888-746-2066 203 North 2nd Street • Artesia, New Mexico • www.HotelArtesia.com 10
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There are a variety of day-trip destinations to choose from while staying in Artesia. Head north on U.S. 285 and you’ll find the International UFO Museum & Research Center and the Roswell Museum & Art Center. If you prefer outdoor adventure, try one of the nearby working cattle ranches, such as Burnt Well Guest Ranch. Lake Van is an inviting place to have a picnic and spend the afternoon fishing. Head south on U.S. 285 to explore Sitting Bull Falls National Park, Carlsbad Caverns, or spend the afternoon with the critters at Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park. Take U.S. 82 eastward to visit The Western Heritage Museum Complex & Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame, as well as Zia Park Casino. Or, experience the excitement of live horseracing in Hobbs. U.S. 82 westbound leads you to Runyan Ranch, where you can enjoy camping and fishing on the Penasco River or a petting zoo featuring domestic and exotic animals alike. Keep traveling west through the mountains of Lincoln National Park and discover a range of opportunities, from unique shopping in Cloudcroft to the shifting sands of White Sands National Monument in Alamogordo.
Annual Artesia Events Smokin’ on the Pecos BBQ Championship Last Weekend in June
Fourth of July Celebration July 4th
Eddy County Fair & Rodeo
Clays Crusher Sporting Clays Fun Shoot - Celebrating Our 10th Annual Fourth Weekend in September
Art in the Park
Third Weekend in October
Balloons & Tunes
Last Week in July
First Weekend in November
Red Dirt Black Gold Festival
Main Event Car Show
Last Weekend in August
Returning in 2019
575-746-2744 • ArtesiaChamber.com www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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Southwestern New Mexico: Frontiers, Old and New (continued from Page 8)
No trip to this area is complete without a visit to Catwalk National Recreation Area, five miles off the highway from the village of Glenwood. In the Mimbres Valley, volcanic ash shaped by wind 35 million years ago created the geologic formations that comprise City of Rocks State Park, halfway between Silver City and Deming.
Fort Bayard offers a glimpse at Civil War Life. The spectacular Gila Cliff Dwellings, Gila National Monument and Gila Wilderness are an indescribable must-see. Travelers will enhance their experience by making time to drive the Trail of Mountain Spirits, a 93-mile National Scenic Byway that winds around the southwest corner of New Mexico and past ancient cliff dwellings.
Southeastern New Mexico: Caves, Casinos and Culture The Wild West, world war history, recreational activities and weird phenomenon are all part of a sojourn to Southeastern New Mexico, historically a farming and oil region.
Andres Salazar
In the other-worldly desolation of the mountain-ringed Tularosa Basin at the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert, walk through dunes of glistening gypsum sand and experience the unforgettable beauty of White Sands National Monument. This is where the first settlers came more than 10,000 years ago and the U.S military conducted research during World War II. At the White Sands Missile Range Museum, you can learn more about the history of (continued on next page)
ALL ARE WELCOME! A PLACE TO INSPIRE, EXPLORE AND CREATE. Year-Round Horseback Trail Rides O’Keeffe Landscape Tours Archaeology and Paleontology Tours & Museums Transformational Workshops Overnight Stay Lodging & Campground Hiking Trails
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505.685.1000
Southeastern New Mexico: Caves, Casinos and Culture
(continued from previous page)
the region and the Trinity Site, where scientists tested the first atomic bomb in 1945. A short jaunt away is Artesia, where downtown you can experience art and culture on the street. A series of bronze statues are positioned within the downtown district on Artesia’s History in Bronze and Downtown Walking Tour. It begins at the Artesia Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center in the historic train depot and stops at the impressive Artesia Public Library, which is home to a 46-foot Peter Hurd mural rescued from a downtown Houston building slated for demolition. Downtown Artesia offers local shops, unique community events, a performing arts center with national acts, a community theater and children’s productions. The diverse and dramatic geology in this region features flat expanses of seemingly endless prairie connecting to the foothills of the Sacramento mountains, in which the villages of Cloudcroft and Ruidoso nestle. There are gambling venues to be explored in and around Ruidoso, including the many amenities and luxury of the Inn of The Mountain Gods, and Billy the Kid Casino and Ruidoso Downs Race Track. To the south is Carlsbad, where Carlsbad Caverns National Park invites visitors beneath the earth’s surface to see dozens
of limestone caves. Bats that sleep in them by day fill the evening sky as they head out in a cloud of black to hunt insects. In Lincoln County, visit the courthouse where notorious outlaw Billy the Kid shot his way out of jail. New Mexico’s most visited historic site, Lincoln offers an immersive experience hearkening back to a violent period in the state’s history - the Lincoln County Wars. A short drive away from Lincoln is Fort Stanton, established to protect settlements along the Rio Bonito in the Apache Wars. Built in 1855 as a U.S. military fort, this is the largest of New Mexico’s state historic sites. Kit Carson, Billy the Kid and Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Cavalry all lived at Fort Stanton. Confederate forces occupied the outpost in the beginning of the American Civil War, and later it served as America's first federal tuberculosis sanatorium. No trip to this part of the state is complete without a visit to the UFO Museum in Roswell. Nearby, take a spin to Bottomless Lakes State park, 14 miles southeast of Roswell, where sinkholes range to 90 feet deep.
Experience SKY CITY
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I-40, Exit 102 • Acoma, NM 87034 • www.skycity.com • 888 SKY CITY(759 2489) www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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central new mexico
Celebrating 90 Years of Incorporation In the summer of 1928, a census conducted for the proposed incorporated Village of Los Lunas counted 466 residents - the largest number of inhabitants there since colonists began settling the Rio Abajo in the 17th century. In the 90 years since Los Lunas incorporated as a New Mexico municipality, the once sleepy hamlet has gradually grown while maintaining its small-town atmosphere. When the census was taken, one would have seen a collection of houses and businesses clustered west of the Rio Grande among green fields, with an unpaved, dusty road leading to points east and west. That roadbed was a stretch of U.S. Route 66, the “Mother Road” of American automobile history. Los Lunas has long been associated with wayfarers and other travelers. During the Spanish Colonial era, the Camino Real (Royal Road) in New Mexico linked Santa Fe with settlements far to the south, including El Paso del Norte, Ciudad Chihuahua and ultimately, Mexico City. In 1880, iron tracks were constructed along the same corridor as the former Royal Road to the Interior, and Los Lunas became one of the station stops along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. Travel had long been oriented north and south, but with the advent of automobile trails in New Mexico in the opening decades of the 20th century, Los Lunas became connected to the outside world along an east-west axis. From 1926 to 1937, Los
Lunas was an important stop on U.S. Route 66. American author John Steinbeck even mentioned the village in his Pulitzer Prizewinning novel, The Grapes of Wrath: “the New Mexican mountains to Albuquerque, Route 66 looking west on Main where the road comes down Street. Los Lunas, circa 1934. from Santa Fe. Then down the gorged Rio Grande to Los Lunas.” Today, travelers can retrace old Route 66 by driving along NM Highway 6 through Los Lunas. In the heart of the village stands the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and Arts, where exhibits and events interpret and celebrate the rich history of the Rio Abajo. Located at 251 Main Street SE, the museum fronts the former U.S. Route 66 and is just east of the railroad tracks—literally at the crossroads of New Mexico history. We invite you to visit the museum during your journey. It is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For information about our events calendar, please call us at 505-3527720, or visit www.facebook.com/loslunasmuseum. When planning your trip to Los Lunas on the Rail Runner Express, include the Museum of Heritage and Arts in your itinerary. Only one-half mile away from the Transportation Depot, visitors to Los Lunas are easily within walking distance. History is alive at the crossroads of New Mexico!
Museum of Heritage & Arts
251 Main St. SE Los Lunas, NM 87031 | (505) 352-7720 | heritage@loslunasnm.gov 14
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| 1-800-545-9011 | Mescalero, NM www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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Auditing New Mexico Cuisine The melding of cuisines in the southwestern United States began generations ago, long before trendy 21stcentury bistros turned fusion into an industry. In New Mexico, the blend of Mexican, Spanish and NativeAmerican foods and spices cooked up something entirely unique, certainly not to be confused with the Mexican food in Texas, Arizona or California. When a steaming plate of enchiladas covered in red or green chilé, with a side of pinto beans is set, few people stop to think about the cultures represented. But they are typically asked to make a decision: “Red or green?” There is good reason New Mexico is the only one of America’s 50 with an official State question. Chilé and New Mexican cuisine are as much a part of this landscape as the mountain terrain, the Chihuahuan desert and watercolor sunsets. When a New Mexican talks about chilé, it’s usually the kind spelled with an ‘e’ and is vastly different from Texas’ chili con carne. New Mexico’s green chilé pods are picked, roasted and peeled before they can be eaten. Red chilé (which is just fully ripened green chilé) is cleaned, soaked, pureed, strained and blended into a smooth consistency. When ordering both red and green chilé on an entrée, the locals call that ‘Christmas.’ This spring, we turned to some local bean counters for their take on the variety of true New Mexican food statewide. Auditors often travel the state, especially during tax season, giving them an ideal opportunity to have local cuisine in a variety of places when taking a break from the numbers. “The first thing we decide every single day when we travel to an area to do an audit is where we are going to eat that day,” said Melissa Santistevan, owner of Precision Accounting in Albuquerque. “We work nonstop, nose to the grindstone, and the only joy comes at mealtime. The promise of a delicious meal is what keeps us going through the long tedious hours.” If you are sensitive to heat, it always pays to ask an establishment which of their chilé is hotter, the red or green. A lot depends on the chilé crop that year or how the restaurant prepares it. The general local belief is that the chilé gets hotter the closer you get to Hatch, nicknamed the Chilé Capital of the World. Best to start slow no matter where you are until you can assess the heat level best suited to your taste.
One of the more popular dishes at El Parasol is the handmade red pork tamale with their famous crispy chicken guacamole taco. (Photo Credit: El Parasol)
In northern New Mexico, like Rio Arriba County or in Las Vegas on the plaza, you tend to get more red chilé dishes, and in the central and southern areas, there are more green chilé dishes. Portions tend to be larger in the southern part of the state. A true chilé connoisseur may be able to tell if the chilé was sun-dried which produces more of a smoky flavor. Complimentary chips and salsa are often served immediately when you are seated at restaurants in the north. In the middle of the state and further south, it is typical to order them off the menu at a charge. But this can vary from restaurant to restaurant, as can the flavor, consistency and heat of the salsa. If you love sopapillas, in north and central New Mexico the hollow fluffy pastry pillows often come complimentary with your meal, but in the south, tortillas are served for free at the outset, and sopapillas are offered at a price as a desert or a side dish. At some places, diners are offered a choice. Sopapillas can be the sweetest of desserts when spread with a little honey, but also are great for mopping up the extra chilé or stuffing with beans as you savor your entrée. You can always count on pinto beans, too, in some variation. Whole pinto beans are prepared with spices and little else. Refried beans are smashed pinto beans, usually cut with lard. In some restaurants, the refried (continued on Page 18)
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Auditing New Mexico Cuisine (continued from Page 16)
beans are just boiled to a pulp and no lard is added - a distinctly healthier choice which does not compromise the flavor (at Cervantes on Gibson in Albuquerque, at least). Many restaurants offer beans and rice as a staple with an entrée, while others offer beans only. Spanish rice preparation, too, varies - from tomato-ey, to spiced with taco seasoning, to cooked with bacon grease and scallions. “I ordered a bowl of green chilé and beans once in Lordsburg and got a bowl of chopped green chilé with a side of beans,” said accountant Joy Emmons. “I was expecting a soup or a stew with the beans in it. So even the definition of a bowl of green chilé and beans can vary from region to region in New Mexico.”
In the Four Corners region, New Mexican restaurants tend to have more Native American-influence, often featuring a Navajo taco and fry breads. Along the eastern border of the state, New Mexican cuisine is tougher to find, with most restaurants offering Tex-Mex. If you are eating in Hobbs, expect lots of jalapeños. There are spots along the border where, the auditors say, you are better off going into Texas for New Mexican food. The auditors interviewed agreed you get more authentic New Mexican food at smaller family-owned restaurants than in larger chain restaurants. Hands-down, El Parasol in Española was touted as one of our reviewers’ favorites because everything is made fresh to order. The original El Parasol is right off the main drag in Española, but there are additional locations in Santa Fe and Pojoaque. Chilé rellenos differ greatly between eateries, but our unscientific poll showed Teofilo’s in Los Lunas to have the best. Alexandra Yebr of Precision Accounting described their deep-fried chilé this way: “It’s not beerbattered, which is more common in southern New Mexico. It’s not soggy. It stays crunchy through your entire meal.” Another favorite dish, carne adovada, either comes cubed or shredded for burritos, enchiladas, chilé rellenos or breakfast burritos. In the north, carne adovada tends to be thicker than in the south. A mouth-watering favorite among the auditors was Casa de Sueños’ unique Avocados Borrachos appetizer platter. The Tularosa restaurant’s dish comes with green chilé quesadillas, taquitos, fried avocados, a green chicken egg roll and carne adovada chimichangas. One vote was given for the state’s best Huevos Rancheros at Los Cuates in Albuquerque. For best flautas, the bean-counters heralded Chachis in Las Cruces, right next to New Mexico State University. La Posta in Old Mesilla was touted as the best of ‘traditional’ New Mexican restaurants in the region.
La Posta de Mesilla’s 12-ounce New York cut is served with a rolled red enchilada and a side of La Posta’s signature green sauce. Here it is paired with My Tequila Rita, the personal ultimate top-shelf margarita, hand crafted in a La Posta shaker with Patron Citronge, a splash of Grand Marnier, agave nectar and freshly squeezed lime juice. (Photo Credit: La Posta de Mesilla) 18
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Among others on the auditors hit parade: Oso Café in Capitan, which has some of the best green chilé chicken casserole dishes around. (continued on Page 52)
E U Q R E U Y Q R U A B N I L D A R O A R T X E e h t n i Rich
We promote Albuquerque as a destination for tourism, conventions and events within the Hispanic and Native American markets. Experience what Albuquerque has to offer.
Plan Your Visit | siabq.org | 505.842.9003
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southwest new mexico
Socorro - You've got Saddle up and head south, partner. The new rodeo arena and sports complex opened last year in the little city that offers something to love for everyone - Socorro. The complex is part of a larger, long-term vision that Socorro city leaders hope will attract athletes, rodeo cowboys and patrons, concert-goers, and others to the area.
to see it !
Funding for the complex came from a loan from the Lodgers’ Tax, and the other half came from the State Legislature. A future civic center near the Rodeo and Sports Complex is also in the works. Many events are planned for the new facility, including concerts, horse shows and clinics, and rugby tournaments, as well as rodeos and barrel races.
Socorro Rodeo and Sports Complex Amenities: Below: Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array The Very Large Array [VLA] is comprised of 27 radio telescopes in a “Y” pattern spread across the plains of San Augustin 50 miles west of Socorro. The VLA has been used by more astronomers and has been mentioned in more scientific papers than any other radio telescope in the world. Each antenna is an 82-foot diameter dish that weighs 230 tons. The on-site visitor center and gift shop offers displays and videos that educate about radio astronomy and the VLA telescope, and are open all year from 8:30am to sunset. A self-guided tour lets visitors explore the antennas up close.
Covered & Outdoor Arenas, Sports Fields 136x287 Covered Rodeo Arena Outdoor 130x250 Arena 4 Regulation Sized Soccer Fields
RV Park (50 spaces: 50 or 30 amp, Free WiFi, Sewer, & water) 98 Horse Stalls 5K Cross Country Track 3/4 mile Walking Path
Top of Page: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge offers unique bird and wildlife viewing opportunities. Peak visitation occurs in winter when bald eagles and thousands of sandhill cranes and snow geese flock to the fields and marshes. Plan to visit the weekend before Thanksgiving during the annual Festival of the Cranes. This world-famous event includes speakers, special tours and arts and wildlife displays. The 12-mile auto tour loop takes visitors through a full range of wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities. Visitors can take the self-guided tour and nature trails, which range in length from one to nine miles. 20
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Socorro Events 1ST SATURDAY EVENTS The first Saturday of each month our historic Hammel Museum is open to the public from 9 am - noon. Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array conducts guided tours from 11 am – 5 pm. New Mexico Tech hosts 1st Saturday Star Party at Etscorn Observatory at 8 pm.
San Miguel Mission Church
SOCORRO COUNTY FAIR AND PRO RODEO- August 30th through September 2nd all day, Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex. A Labor Day weekend tradition, this event contains professional rodeos, exhibits, music, games, judged art, quilting, canning and more! Visit the Socorro County Fair‘s website for more information.
In person it is even more stunning.
WORLD SERIES OF TEAM ROPING- September 29th30th, starting at 9am. This exciting event will be held at the Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex. Come join us for all the fun and competition. Great for all ages. SOCORROFEST- October 5th-6th from 6pm to 10pm. Let your heart sing and your toes tap to great NM music at Socorro’s Old Town Plaza Stage, and Historic Capitol Bar Stage. Get giddy at the spirits tent featuring NM breweries and wineries. Savor delicious food and pamper yourself with beautiful and unique arts & crafts. Bring the kids, we have a fun play area to keep them entertained. NMRA FINALS RODEO- October 13th-14th Come enjoy all the fun and competition including Bareback, Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Team Roping and much more. Held at the Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex. ENCHANTED SKIES STAR PARTY- October 16th - 20th. The ESSP offers a unique astronomy experience in the Southwestern US. In the Cibola Nat’l Forest, just outside the tiny town of Magdalena, NM. The full 5 day/night program is designed for the serious amateur astronomer, and will again include the popular VIP tours of the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array and the Magdalena Ridge Observatory and Interferometer. FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES- November 14th-17th, Bosque del Apache. The 30th Annual Festival of the Cranes is a celebration of the winter migration of the sandhill cranes to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Avid birders from around the world flock to the Refuge to view the spectacular exhibit of fowl. CHRISTMAS ELECTRIC LIGHT PARADE & LUMINARIA STROLL ON THE PLAZADecember 1st. Get into the spirit of the season with a magical evening of lights and color at our annual parade. Make sure to wave at Santa Claus as he makes his way to the Plaza. Enjoy food, beverages and entertainment and a spectacular art stroll as members of the Socorro County Arts display their arts & crafts along a beautiful luminaria path throughout the Historic Plaza.
www.Socorronm.gov Photography by M. Colleen Gino
https://www.facebook.com/SocorroNM
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southwest new mexico
Las Cruces Farmers, Crafts Market Delights Year-Round The Farmers & Crafts Market of Las Cruces has been in business for 47+ years, with many old-time vendors and plenty of new ones, too, as time has gone by. The market has arts that have been showcased in local galleries, sculptures made from a variety of materials, fine jewelry, painted gourds, rope creations, and homemade soaps and lotions. For that rock collector in all of us, you can purchase an uncut geode and get it sliced in half on the spot to see what’s inside. There are many other unique and wonderful items waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a long-time friend of the market or a first-timer, you will always find something new and interesting here. As the only year-round farmers market in the state, it offers fresh produce, local honey, locally made salsas and food products, and a variety of food vendors. Eat a freshly made donut right after it rolls off a hot-oiled machine, check out the other delicious baked goods, have a grilled-to-order hamburger or hotdog, and don’t forget the burritos. There is always something at the market to tantalize your senses.
䘀䄀 刀 䴀 䔀 刀 匀 ☀ 䌀 刀 䄀 䘀 吀 匀 䴀 䄀 刀 䬀 䔀 吀 伀䘀 䰀 䄀匀 䌀刀唀䌀䔀匀
Customers have often said that attending the market on Saturdays is a weekly ritual that kicks off the weekend, and is one of the go-to spots to take out-oftown guests. They love the fact that it’s petfriendly, too, and you will see owners walking the market’s seven Saturday mornings draw crowds to the market in downtown Las Cruces. blocks with their dogs each week. If you don’t have a furry companion, the Animal Humane Society often holds on-site adoption fairs here. "I’m very excited about our wonderful Farmer’s Market,” said Kasandra A. Gandara, City Councilor, District 1. “Not only does it give many of our merchants a way to highlight their craft but also it has been instrumental in bringing economic vitality to our downtown, and it brings our community together. It is certainly a gem of the Southwest.”
匀䤀䌀 ☀ 唀 一吀 䴀 䔀 嘀 䰀䤀 吀䔀刀吀䄀䤀一䴀䔀 䔀一 唀䔀 䜀䤀䘀吀匀 伀䐀 ⬀ 唀一䤀儀 伀 䘀 吀 䔀 匀吀刀䔀
䘀刀䔀匀䠀⸀ 䰀伀䌀䄀䰀⸀ 䠀伀䴀䔀䜀刀伀圀一⸀ 䠀伀䴀䔀䴀䄀䐀䔀⸀ 䠀䄀一䐀䌀刀䄀䘀吀䔀䐀⸀
匀愀琀☀圀攀搀
㠀㨀㌀ 愀洀 琀漀 瀀洀 22
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眀眀眀⸀昀挀洀氀挀⸀漀爀最⼀渀洀
Featuring:
The Newly Renovated Pluto Discovery Telescope
TOURS | TELESCOPE VIEWING INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS | OPEN YEAR-ROUND Flagstaff, AZ | www.lowell.edu | (928) 774-3358
Tuesday - Friday Wednesday (June - Aug) Saturday
Las Cruces Museums 575.522.3120 museums.las-cruces.org
10am - 4:30pm 10am - 8pm 9am - 4:30pm
Facebook.com/LCMuseums Instagram.com/LCMuseums Snapchat@LCMuseums Twitter.com/LCMuseums www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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southwest new mexico
A Taste of History Wine connoisseurs who appreciate a fine vintage with a helping of New Mexico history, will enjoy a trip south to Rio Grande Winery. Situated just outside of Las Cruces in the panoramic Mesilla Valley, the winery boasts a dozen varieties of grapes on a 10-acre spread. Winemaker Gordon Steel credits southern New Mexico’s sunshine and low humidity, a lot of travel, study, experimentation, and a “whole lot of hard work” for his award-winning vintages. “You hear a lot of other claims, but the truth is, winemaking in the United States is documented to have started right here in New Mexico,” Steel said. “In the late 1590s, Juan de Oñate wrote to a Spanish viceroy that the grapes and wine here were as good as anything in Spain.”
making equipment visible behind a glass window. The next thing that strikes you is the bar. Tall, ornate and exquisitely-carved, the magnificent piece was specially ordered by Steel from Europe and shipped to Las Cruces. It speaks volumes about the man and the meticulous planning and attention to detail that went into every aspect of the Rio Grande Winery.
Walking into the Rio Grande Winery tasting room, the first thing you notice is the expansive view of the valley and view of the Organ Mountains. Off the tasting room is the modern-day winery with giant drums and wine-
Bold, refined and elegant are words that come to mind whether taking in the surroundings or sampling the wine produced here. The tasting room is open noon (continued on Page 34)
A Beautif�l & Unique Wedding & Reception Venue!
575-524-3985 ◆ RIOGRANDEWINERY.COM 5321 HIGHWAY 28 ◆ LAS CRUCES, NM 88005 OPEN FRIDAY-SUNDAY ◆ NOON - 5:30 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT 24
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Cerrillos Hills State Park
Hills of good fortune.
Saddle up and blaze the Turquoise Trail on a guided horseback ride through scenic hills of the high desert with spectacular 360 degree views. The entire family will enjoy shops, restaurants, and museums along the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway. Get away from the hustle of the city and embark on an adventure through the wondrous Wild West. SantaFeNMTrue.com
SantaFeNewMexicoTrue
@SantaFeCounty
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PONSOR OF
NE
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MEX
PA
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OFF
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I C O S TAT
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Yurts. Adventures Out of This World! 28
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SANTA FE ELDORADO HOTEL & SPA 1-800-955-4455 EldoradoHotel.com INN AND SPA AT LORETTO 1-866-582-1646 HotelLoretto.com HOTEL ST. FRANCIS 1-800-529-5700 HotelStFrancis.com HOTEL CHIMAYO DE SANTA FE 1-855-752-9273 HotelChimayo.com
TAOS EL MONTE SAGRADO RESORT AND SPA 1-855-846-8267 ElMonteSagrado.com PALACIO DE MARQUESA 1-855-846-8267 MarquesaTaos.com
Pictured is Hotel Chaco
ALBUQUERQUE HOTEL CHACO 1-866-505-7829 HotelChaco.com HOTEL ALBUQUERQUE AT OLD TOWN 1-800-237-2133 HotelAbq.com
LAS CRUCES HOTEL ENCANTO DE LAS CRUCES 1-866-383-0443 HotelEncanto.com www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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north central • northeast new mexico
A whirlwind of fun awaits at the Stanley Cyclone Center, Santa Fe County’s exciting new equine, livestock and event center. Located just 45 minutes from Santa Fe and one hour from Albuquerque, this stateof-the-art venue occupies an impressive 51,250 square feet. It’s the perfect worldclass facility for an array of adventurous activities, from bull riding and barrel racing to
provides an ideal space for meetings,
kitchen and two classrooms that can seat up
equestrian training clinics, open riding, team
conferences and customized events, including
to 30 people each. Showers and restrooms
roping and more. There’s plenty of room for
weddings. For those planning a unique event
are available, too. The giant parking lot can
carriage driving and vaulting, too. You won’t
not listed here, the Cyclone Center staff
easily accommodate large crowds, with
find a better atmosphere for rodeos in these
members are happy to help.
spaces for both small and large vehicles.
Situated on 11 acres surrounded by wide
With all that it offers, the Stanley Cyclone
open vistas, this newly built venue offers a
Center provides a thrilling experience for
spacious arena— 170 feet x 240 feet—that
any event-goer, with the thundering sound
can seat 388 people, as well as a commercial
of horses’ hooves and the thrill of watching
parts. The center also provides the ultimate site for horse and livestock shows as well as 4H/FFA activities. Even dog shows and car shows are welcome. Additionally, the Stanley Cyclone Center
the drama between a bull and its rider. New Mexico’s newest all-around equine, livestock and event center is located at 22 W. Kinsell Ave. in Stanley, New Mexico. Call (505) 9929838 to book your event.
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Stanley, New Mexico
The center of the Cyclone.
STANLEY CYCLONE CENTER New Mexico’s NEWEST all-around equine, livestock and event center! Open for team roping, barrel racing, team sorting, team penning, bull riding, 4-H/FFA activities, training clinics, open riding, practice, carriage driving, vaulting, horse shows, livestock shows, and more! For more information please call: 505-992-9838 SantaFeNMTrue.com/cyclonecenter
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north central • northeast new mexico 32
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New Mexico’s History Is Alive at El Rancho de las Golondrinas El Rancho de las Golondrinas, “The Ranch of the Swallows,” is a one-of-a-kind destination where the past comes to life and weekend programs are fun for the whole family! OPEN WEDNESDAY– SUNDAY, 10 am– 4 pm, JUNE – SEP TE M BER WEEKEND EVEN TS Santa Fe Wine Festival | June 30–July 1 Celebrate your freedom with handmade wines from New Mexico. ¡Viva México! | July 21–22 Re-discover our neighbor to the south as you watch charros on horseback, listen to to mariachis, shop in our Mercado and enjoy food prepared by local Mexican chefs. Panza Llena, Corazón Contento: New Mexico Food and Beer Fest | August 4–5 Experience historic methods of food preparation, learn from food historians, attend workshops, and sample delicious locally made food and beer. Fiesta De Los Niños | September 1–2 Immerse yourself in a weekend of interactive family activities that are fun for all ages—storytelling, magic shows, crafts, historic games, and more. FOR MOR E WEEKEND EVEN TS V I S I T G O L O N D R I N A S .O R G .
505-471-2261 golondrinas.org 334 Los Pinos Road, Santa Fe partially funded by the city of santa fe arts commission and the 1% lodgers’ tax, county of santa fe lodgers’ tax, and new mexico arts www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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north central • northeast new mexico
A Taste of History (continued from Page 24) for all of your celebrations!
to 5:30 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Live music is featured on the patio on Sunday afternoons in the summer. Group tours are available by appointment Mondays and Thursdays. Born in Hatch, Steel studied winemaking in college. His lifelong dream of owning a vineyard began to take root while he was in the Air Force, stationed in Europe and the U.S. West Coast. In both places, he visited wineries and tasting rooms, gathering knowledge about wines from around the world. In 2004, he and his wife, Sandi, returned home to New Mexico, and staked their claim on this vineyard, plating 12 varieties of European grapes. The first grape harvest was in 2007, and each year has realized an increase in production.
0
In 2016, Rio Grande Winery harvested nearly three and a half tons of grapes and made 4,800 gallons of wine. Steel greets guests with his wealth of knowledge about the grapes and the winery’s exquisite vintages. They include a wide variety in each of these categories: sweet and dry whites; sweet and dry reds; and specialty wines. A world-class winemaker, Steel is also quite a knowledgeable storyteller and New Mexico historian, with a long lineage of New Mexico leaders in his family, including some who planted vineyards in the 1880s. Paying homage to Steel’s appreciation of family and local history are some framed pictures on the wall next to the winery’s front door. They depict stories Steel will share of strong women, community leaders, judges who helped shape New Mexico.
Presently Stocking Over 3,500 Wines • 1,000 Beer Choices 105 Single Malt Scotches • 390 Types of Vodka 220 Tequilas • 38 Types of Mezcal • 157 Types of Rum
Rio Grande Winery’s wine list includes vintages from grapes grown on the estate, fermented and bottled onsite, using only the highest quality European varietals to produce wine that can be found only in smaller wineries around the world. In addition to the vineyard, Rio Grande Winery produces honey from beehives on the farm and boasts a pecan orchard. Honey, as well as shelled and unshelled pecans, are available for purchase. Rio Grande Winery is located at 5321 Highway 28 (at mile marker 25) Las Cruces; (575) 524-3985; riograndewinery@aol.com.
505-455-2219 • kokomanfinewines.com 34 Cities of Gold Road, Pojoaque 87506
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Taos Pueblo’s
Living Community Has Much to be Admired Taos Pueblo welcomes visitors from all over the world. It’s considered the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States by archaeologists who say ancestors of the Taos Indians lived in the valley long before Columbus discovered America and even hundreds of years before Europe emerged from the Dark Ages. And the people of Taos Pueblo are happy to share their storied history with tourists. It’s something the Pueblo has been sharing openly since the 1920s. “Take a tour of the pueblo, if possible,” says Ilona Spruce, tourism director for Taos Pueblo. “Some of our guides are college students who were born and raised here and come back to share their perspective of the pueblo. There’s something very special about this because they are truly “After the Rain” (Photo Credit: Taos Pueblo Tourism) proud of where they came from and who we are as a people.” Parts of this Northern New Mexico pueblo remain much like they were when the first Spanish explorers arrived in New Mexico in 1540. Those explorers were looking for the fabled Cities of Gold and believed Taos was one of them. Architecture is a big draw of the Pueblo. The structures are made entirely of adobe — earth mixed with water and straw, made into sun-dried bricks. Roofs of each of the five stories are supported by large timbers (vigas) hauled down from the mountain forests. Smaller pieces of wood, pine or aspen latillas, are placed on top of the vigas. The roof is then covered with “Taking a Tour” (Photo Credit: Rima Krisst) packed dirt. The outside surfaces of the pueblo are continuously maintained by plastering with thick layers of mud. Interior walls are carefully coated with thin washes of white earth to keep them clean and bright. The pueblo is actually many individual homes, built side-by-side and in layers, with common walls but no connecting doorways. In earlier days there were no doors or windows, and entry was gained only from the top. Today, about 150 people live at the pueblo full time, and another 1,500 or so other families own more modern homes to the north or south of the oldest two structures. “When people visit for the first time, I like to remind them to be mindful that our pueblo is a living community,” Spruce says. “Even though we openly welcome our visitors, we also need to let them know that these are people’s homes and some of the most beautiful and architecturally unique spaces.” Taos Pueblo is a World Heritage Site as well. The pueblo is open to visitors daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except during tribal ritual days that require closing the Pueblo. Late winter to early spring, the pueblo closes for about 10 weeks. Visit www.taospueblo.com for more information and to view events Micaceous Pottery (Photo Credit: Taos Pueblo open to the public. Tourism)
Taos Pueblo Tourism, 120 Veterans Hwy. Taos, NM 87571
(575) 758-1028
www.TaosPueblo.com
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north central • northeast new mexico
Mountain Town Raton Offers Culture Amid Slower Pace Raton, New Mexico: For some, this small town tucked away in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the northeastern part of the state conjures up memories of drive-in movies and race horses thundering down the track of La Mesa Park. For others, it evokes the days of mining and the sounds of the railroad. Today, Raton is the final stop for many Boy Scouts embarking on an adventure at nearby Philmont Scout Ranch. Raton also marks the last touch of civilization for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts heading into the wilds of Ted Turner’s 588,000-acre Vermejo Park Ranch, Sugarite Canyon State Park, Capulin Volcano National Monument, Maxwell Wildlife Refuge or the National Rifle Association’s Whittington Center. Deer, turkey, bear and elk thrive in the area’s clean air, crystal waters and scenic landscapes. The geology of Raton provides a unique glimpse into its history, going back to the age of dinosaur. It is one of the few locations in the United States where one can see a special sedimentary layer - the Iridium Layer/ KT-boundary - between the seams of rock that make up the canyons and ridges outside of town. It is believed an asteroid created layer this when it hit the earth, leading to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Located at the base of Raton Pass, the highest point along the route of the historic Santa Fe Trail, Raton has played an important part in the history of the Southwest. Legendary folks like Jesse James, the Earp Brothers, Bat Masterson, Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, Clay Allison and
Raton landscape. (Photo Credit: T. Crowther) 36
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Dewey Paul Band at the Gate City Music Festival. (Photo Credit: Marty Mayfield)
Black Jack Ketchum are just a few who frequented the saloons and dance halls of old Raton. Out of those Wild West days grew the ranching, mining and railroad activities that were the center of Raton’s economy during the 20th century. Surrounded in its heyday by the TO Ranch, the UU Bar Ranch, the Chase Ranch, Vermejo Park Ranch, various mining towns, and railroads that moved coal and cattle, Raton was a hub for all the latest goods and services of the time. Raton is a little quieter now. With its four seasons, clean air, beautiful vistas, and low cost of living, it offers sanctuary for anyone looking for the tranquility of a slower pace. This combined with the town’s focus on recreation and cultural opportunities makes it a best kept secret for those wanting to escape hectic urban lifestyles. The Raton Arts and Humanities Council provides world class performances at the historic Shuler Theatre. Raton MainStreet, along with The Raton Arts and Culture District, offers additional cultural activities at the Old Pass Art Gallery and the Raton Museum. The Raton Parks and Recreation Department, besides managing the Raton Regional Aquatic Center, also hosts a variety of events. This year the Raton Beautification Coalition has created the 2018 Summer of Color. Starting at the end of May, the town will be transformed with banners, hanging flower pots and strands of lights on lamp posts that will remain up through September. Visit ExploreRaton.com for a schedule of things to see and do.
explore
RATON! Fresh Air, Cloudless Days, and FUN!
www.Explore Raton.com
Visit the Historic Shuler Theater. Step back in time and enjoy world class entertainment.
SU M M E R A N D FA L L
Enjoy year-round recreation at the Raton Regional Aquatic Center located in the heart of Roundhouse Memorial Park in downtown Raton. With a variety of features there is something for everyone.
The Annual International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally gives attendees an up close and personal experience due to small crowds and friendly pilots. This event is one your whole family is sure to enjoy!
Join us on Facebook @ExploreRaton This advertisement was paid for by the Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board of the City of Raton
E VEN T S
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3rd Annual “We Love Raton” Golf Tourney June 22 - 24
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International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally June 30-July 2
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4th of July Celebration on Historic 1st Street and Raton Fire Department Fireworks Show- July 4
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Run to Raton – bike, trike and classic car eventJuly 19-23
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Down and Dirty Mountain Bike Race August 18, 2018
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4th Annual Gate City Music Fest – Labor Day Weekend Sep 1 – 2 Featuring the band Restless Heart at the Historic Shuler Theater. This event includes a Street Fair with food, vendors, outdoor music throughout the weekend with a Street Dance Saturday night, Beer & Wine Garden and Singer/Songwriter competition. The event finale is the headliner concert Sunday evening Sep 2nd at the Historic Shuler Theater featuring the band Restless Heart. Tickets can be purchased online at www.gatecitymusicfestival.com
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Master of the Mountain Adventure Race Sep 7 & 8
R A T O N Y EA R - R O UN D A T T R A C T I O NS Indoor Aquatic Center, The Raton Museum, Raton Country Club 9 hole Golf Course and 18 hole Disc Golf Course, Shuler Theater, Sugarite Canyon State Park, and the Old Pass Art Gallery. www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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north central • northeast new mexico
Santa Fe Area Home Builders Present 26th Annual Haciendas-A Parade of Homes If owning a home in Santa Fe is part of your life’s master plan, or if you just like looking at beautiful houses, block off some time in August to attend the 26th annual Haciendas -A Parade of Homes. The world class event spread over two weekends is sponsored by the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association, a non-profit trade association serving the residential building industry in Northern New Mexico. You may be surprised at how home building, architecture and design have changed over the past decade, particularly as they relate to traditional Santa Fe style. Since the economic downturn of 2008, the housing crash virtually eliminated speculative home building in Santa Fe. As a result, a greater percentage of homes built in the area have been client-owned and reflect contemporary departures from the more traditional Santa Fe style. Exhibiting newer, edgier designs, many maximize Santa Fe’s climate and vistas with big glass walls. The availability and cost of these homes is making for an active contemporary home market.
The Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association takes an intensely pro-active approach to engagement with the community and industry. The association created the Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS) system, a predictive calculation tool to estimate home water usage. Adopted as part of the Santa Fe Green Building Codes, WERS is creating buzz on a national level. As part of its community involvement outreach, the association is also developing a unique program with long-term potential for great local impact, creating an early college opportunity for students at an applied science magnet high school in Santa Fe. This year’s Haciendas-A Parade of Homes is scheduled for 11 a.m.-6 p.m. August 10-12, and August 17-19. It’s the perfect opportunity for a mini vacation in Santa Fe. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased online through the Lensic http://www. lensic.org at any house on the tour, and at Counter Intelligence LLC office, 2520 - B, Camino Estrada, Santa Fe. For more information, visit http://www.sfahba.com/paradeof-homes/.
A A PPA ARRAAD DEE O OFF HHO OM MEESS
Photo ©Wendy McEahern
Santa Fe’s Best Open House Save the Date
AUGUST 10-12 & 17-19 11 AM - 6 PM | Tickets are only $15
For entry information, sponsorship opportunities and to learn more, visit sfahba.com Thank you to our sponsors: SANTA FE AREA HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
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Camping • Fishing • Hunting Rio Costilla Park is the ideal get away place whether you prefer time alone, with family, or a gathering among friends. Camping and Fishing on nearly 10,000 acres and Hunting on 80,000+ acres located in Northern Taos County of New Mexico. Rio Costilla borders the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado and the Valle Vidal Unit of Carson National Forest. Owned and Operated by Rio Costilla Cooperative Livestock Association (RCCLA). Rio Costilla Park, Nature At Its Best! Funding provided by Taos Lodgers Tax.
(575) 586-0542 • (800) RIO-PARK • www.RioCostillaPark.com
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NEW MEXICO
Alamogordo
V
isit the Alameda Park Zoo, home to nearly 300 animals representing 90 species, the 12-acre zoo offers an education center, picnic area, playground, and gift shop that’s perfect for families and visitors of all ages. With a mission to promote education in the environmental fields of study, conservation, recreation and biological research, the zoo connects humans with animals through audio, visual and tactical experiences. Visit a Species Survival Plan Captive Facility for the Mexican Gray Wolf, take a guided tour, enroll in a docent program, or attend a lecture. Check the calendar for the annual Earth Day celebration, concerts, and other events. Then explore the Tularosa Basin Museum of History, this muesem preserves and promotes the local history of Alamogordo, Tularosa, La Luz, Cloudcroft, and other Sacramento communities.View exhibits that focus on the history of the Tularosa Basin. Learn about the early Native Americans who lived in the area, White Sands National Monument, the local railroad, La Luz pottery, ranching, scouting and more. View artifacts and stories from the days of early man to Alamogordo’s role in the atomic and space ages.
AlamogordoNMTrue.com
ALAMEDA PARK ZOO
TULAROSA BASIN MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Open Daily 9am to 5pm Closed Christmas & New Year’s Day 1321 N. White Sands Blvd. Alamogordo, NM (575) 439-4290
Open Monday - Saturday 10am to 4pm Closed Sundays 1004 N. White Sands Blvd. Alamogordo, NM (575) 434-4438
White Sands National Monument
Creating unforgettable memories together.
Welcome To Alamogordo Visitors to Alamogordo will find the birthplace of space exploration at the New Mexico Museum of Space History, a thriving performing arts center, surprising restaurants and top-flight golf. With incredible weather, outdoor enthusiasts will love White Sands National Monument and hiking, biking & camping throughout Lincoln National Forest, only minutes from Alamogordo. Stay in Alamogordo, the center for beautiful vistas, adventures, sand, and space.
AlamogordoNMTrue.com www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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southeastern new mexico
Pop a Pistachio: New Mexico’s Other Tasty Treat George and Marianne Schweers wanted to return to their agriculture roots after a career in the Air Force that culminated at Holloman Air Force Base near Alamogordo. When 400 seedling pistachio trees, the first planted in New Mexico, came up for sale, the couple thought a perfect opportunity had presented itself. Neighbors thought the Schweers were, well, nuts. Pistachios are fun to pop open and a heart-healthy snack. But in New Mexico? Pistachios are from Iran, or Turkey, or maybe California? The Schweers were just ahead of the trend in the desert Southwest. They had done their homework and knew that Pistachia Vera is a desert plant, a member of the cashew family and highly tolerant of saline soil. It thrives when irrigated with water having 3,000 to 4,000 ppm of soluble salts. Otero County was the place for soluble salts. Eagle Ranch was born. Now, 42 years later, Eagle Ranch is New Mexico’s oldest and largest-producing pistachio grove with more than 13,000 trees. It’s also the only farm in the state that processes its own pistachios completely. The farm is a fully integrated agri-business: growing, processing, packaging and selling its products on the premises. All pistachio products from Eagle Ranch are sold under its familiar Heart of the Desert trade name. The Schweers’ son, Gordon, developed the original chile-
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flavored pistachios. The farm now boasts nine flavors of pistachios, all packaged with the Heart of the Desert logo adorning the bags. The family added Heart of the Desert wine to the product line in 2002. The vineyard has more than 24,000 grapevines with seven varieties of grapes harvested each year. Chardonnay, Cabernet, Zinfandel, Shiraz, Riesling, Malvasia Bianca and Gewurztraminer make the production of a wide range of wines possible. Heart of the Desert Pistachios and Wines ships its farm-fresh products worldwide, selling them by mail order and online. There also are four store locations: the primary store on the farm beside Hwy 54/70, north of Alamogordo; “Heart of the Desert” on the plaza in Old Mesilla; “Eagle Ranch Mercantile” in the lobby of the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces; and “The Cork & Kettle” in Ruidoso. Tours of the farm are fun and free, and wine tasting is delightful at all four locations.
Rocketeer Academy Rocks STEM
w w w.NMSpaceMuseum.org
New Mexico Museum of
SPACE HISTORY Alamogordo • New Mexico
Come see the all new 4K Laser Dome Projection System
STEM education has been a part of the New Mexico Museum of Space History’s mission since before it was STEM – or STEAM. From the beginning, the museum’s mission statement read: “to educate the people…on the history, science, and technology of space.” Today, more than 40 years later, the mission and the execution holds steady in the very capable hands of the museum’s Rocketeer Academy educators who reach thousands of students each year across the state. Most recently, NASA chose the museum to host a downlink from the International Space Station in conjunction with the Alamogordo Public Schools and the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Teams of middle school and high school students worked for months prior to the event designing and building their own payloads based around the effect of near weightlessness on fluids. On downlink day, the student teams posed questions to Astronaut Scott Tingle aboard the ISS - and more than 3000 students from across the district had the opportunity to watch and listen. Whether it’s bringing the museum’s portable planetarium to Santa Rosa schools or hosting groups at the museum for an Alien Autopsy, STEM education plays an increasingly important role in how Rocketeer Academy educators reach out to students. “The workforce of the future depends on the students of today nurturing an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Including Art in the equation gives students the opportunity to include creativity with their passion,” said Museum Executive Director Christopher Orwoll.
— the very first in the world!
NEW MOVIE! NOW SHOWING
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PREMIERING JULY 1ST
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For more information on how your school or student can become involved with the Museum’s Rocketeer Academy, visit the website or call.
NOTE: Theater titles are subject to change without notice.
The New Mexico Museum of Space History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a division of the NM Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information, call 575-437-2840 or toll free 1-877-333-6589 or visit the website at www.NMSpaceMuseum.org. Like us at: www. facebook.com/NMSpaceMuseum/
For more information visit NMSpaceMuseum.org
AL AMOGORDO, NM • 575 - 4 37-28 40 www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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New Mexico Movie Locations Show Tourists the State Through a New Lens To see the world, one need only visit New Mexico. At least Hollywood often considers the state a good stand-in for much of it. Locations statewide have doubled for places ranging from Texas to Stockholm to Mars, spanning more than 600 movie and TV productions since 1898. The 120 years of filmmaking – being celebrated by the New Mexico Film Office this year - has turned the state into a film tourism playground. For both residents and visitors, a self-guided film location circuit can be a unique way to see New Mexico’s cities and outlying areas, while eating, sleeping and shopping in places your favorite stars have been. Snap a selfie while kicking back at Angel Fire Resort & Flying Horse Ranch in the Northern New Mexico ski town of Angel Fire, one of several spots where Johnny Depp played Tonto in the Lone Ranger. Or, picture yourself in the gaze of George Clooney at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. He walked its grounds while filming portions of The Men Who Stare at Goats. From Gallup near the Arizona border to Las Cruces down south, every corner of the state and all points in the middle can boast claims to fame on screen. The State Film Office’s online database contains 60,000 photographs of more than 8,000 locations statewide at https://nm.reel-scout.com/loc_results.aspx. (Map Credit: NM Film Office)
New Mexico’s impressive diversity of backdrops - snow-capped mountains, sandy deserts, urban skylines, Western ranches, government outposts, lush forests, etc. – enable studios to transform New Mexico into almost any place on the globe. This eliminates the need for film crews to travel far and creates new reasons for the rest of us to plan trips around the state. Self-guided film excursions In conjunction with the Film Office, the NM Tourism Department has in the past few years begun an official Film Tourism Initiative. Its New Mexico Film Trails website, which identifies production locations for the public, is the first step in programming, said David Griscom, tourism development director. The Trails site categorizes film locations by six state regions. It provides information about specific sites and associated attractions, in addition to a downloadable film trails map with GPS coordinates for the sites listed. (https://www. newmexico.org/places-to-go/true-trails/film-trails/) The Tourism Department is just starting to work with communities to create experiences that allow visitors to interact with the locations, Griscom said. Already, atomic bomb history buffs and fans of the 2014-2015 TV series Manhattan can take their photos in front of a recreated entry gate to Los Alamos National Lab. It is designed to look as it did in 1943, during the Manhattan Project. Las Vegas, NM, has maintained certain 44
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(continued on Page 46)
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Call (505) 455-2304 or go to VisitNambeFalls.org Experience the Culture and Tradition of Nambé Pueblo www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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New Mexico Movie Locations Show Tourists the State Through a New Lens (continued from Page 44)
elements of the Longmire TV series sets so tourists familiar with the modern Western crime drama can take photos in front of the backdrops.
the cult classic is still visible at the corner of 6th and Grand.
If you know the name of a film or film location in New Mexico that you’d like to learn more about, or if you want to find one based upon a specific actor, you can customize your site search at http://www. The city of Raton is among more nmfilm.com/NM_Filmography. than 30 locations highlighted on aspx. “That’s a potpourri of a user-friendly, self-guided Film productions going all the way Trails map provided by the New back to the early history of film Mexico Tourism Department as part of a Film Tourism Initiative. in New Mexico,” said Don Gray, contract locations coordinator (Photo Credit: Don Gray, contract locations coordinator for the Film Office. for the New Mexico Film Office) “There was a time when one out of five Westerns were shot in the Gallup, New Mexico, area. In the late ‘30s to mid‘60s, there were hundreds of Westerns shot in that area,” he said. “We pulled out some examples from films that people could go and see and visit,” using the Tourism Department’s Film Trails map.
• and Contact, in which Jodie Foster used the Very Large Array, west of Socorro in the southwest part of the state, to communicate with aliens.
Among the 30+ films the map highlights are: Producers of Academy-award winning No Country for Old Men set many scenes in Las Vegas, NM’s, Plaza Hotel. (Photo Credit: Don Gray, contract locations coordinator for the New Mexico Film Office)
From urban landscapes in Albuquerque to dry, cracked desert expanses near Las Cruces, New Mexico provides film producers a host of backdrops. Parts of the Clint Eastwood western Hang ‘Em High were shot in Las Cruces. (Photo Credit: Don Gray, contract locations coordinator for the New Mexico Film Office) 46
• Only the Valiant, starring Gregory Peck and Ward Bond, filmed in Red Rock Park near Gallup. • The original 1959 production of Journey to the Center of the Earth at Carlsbad Caverns.
Seeing Albuquerque through Breaking Bad tours
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was partially filmed in Chama, near the Colorado border. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad departs daily from Chama between late May and October, taking tourists on a 64-mile trip through high desert, mountain canyons and lush meadows. (Photo Credit: Don Gray, contract locations coordinator for the New Mexico Film Office)
But it’s Albuquerque that has attained pop culture status as a result of two Emmy Award-winning TV series, Breaking Bad and spinoff Better Call Saul. Fans worldwide book reservations with Breaking Bad RV Tours and ABQ Trolley Co., to see sites from those hits and other productions. Both have tours that include major locations from the series and a pretty comprehensive view of Albuquerque in the meantime. (Albuquerque is consistently included in MovieMaker Magazine’s annual list of the “Top 10 Cities to Be a Movie Maker.”) ABQ Trolley Co. offers ghost tours, pub crawls and a “Best of the City” tour, in addition to its “BaD Tour,” which takes place the second and fourth Sunday of each month. But even its City tour includes a good number of film locations. (abqtrolley.com) “We do see Tim Allen’s house from Wild Hogs and play a clip from it, Jesse’s house (from Breaking Bad), Chuck’s house from Better Call Saul. … And we talk about the history of film and the tax credits and go by The Railyards, which is a huge film location,” said Jesse Herron, co-founder of Albuquerque Tourism & Sightseeing Factory, of which ABQ Trolley Co. is a division.
• The Transformer films, shot in part at White Sands National Monument.
Breaking Bad RV Tours conducts a Hollywood-style tour in a replica Breaking Bad RV. The 48-mile journey lasts three hours, stopping at 25-30 locations and for lunch at Los Pollos Hermanos, or Twisters, made famous by the show. (breakingbadrvtours.com)
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, filmed in Chama, near the Colorado border.
“It’s a very unique experience,” says Frank Sandoval, who owns the company with his wife. “Guests say it reminds them of taking a Hollywood tour, and Albuquerque is our studio.”
• No Country for Old Men, which had many scenes staged in Las Vegas, NM’s, Plaza Hotel.
Since 2002, when the State of New Mexico introduced competitive tax incentives, more than 360 movie and TV productions have filmed here. Last year alone, 61 major productions did a majority of their filming in New Mexico, bringing a direct spend of $505 million to the state, according to the Film Office.
• Red Dawn, shot in part in Las Vegas, where a mural used in
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central new mexico 48
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The largest retail arts and crafts store in the Southwest; solely owned and operated by the Pueblo of Sandia. -Authenticity GuaranteedJewelry • Pottery • Storytellers • Navajo Rugs • Zuni Fetishes • Sand Paintings • Flutes, Rattles & Drums • War Bonnets • Moccasins • Pendleton Blankets • Zapotec Rugs • Books & Music
Inventory of the Bien Mur Indian Market Center: Hopi, Navajo, Santo Domingo, and Zuni Bien Mur Indian Market Center
100 Bien Mur Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
505-821- 5400
Monday – Saturday: 9:30am – 5:30pm Sundays: 11:00am to 5:30pm. Call for seasonal hours.
Retail & Wholesale Association Membership
www.sandiapueblo.nsn.us www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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North-Central New Mexico: History, Art, Culture The largest city in the state, the oldest state capital in the country, world-class art communities, a real railroad town, and excellent gaming and travelers’ accommodations can all be found in New Mexico’s North-Central quadrant cities of Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos, and in the towns around them. Majestic mountains rise abruptly from great expanses of plains, falling off to wooded river valleys. This diverse terrain provides a wealth of outdoor activity options, including hiking, skiing, cycling and mountain biking. Just as varied are the communities, which comprise a mix of small town charm, bucolic serenity, bustling metropolitan life and a sleepy mountain-ringed village. Make some time to experience the rich history and culture of Belen, founded in 1740 and interwoven with Spanish, German and other cultures over the centuries. The community boasts an original Harvey House and offers a
Fish New Mexico Buy a fishing license online!
View of the Sandia Mountains from Corrales, New Mexico. (Photo Credit: Marble Street Studio)
glimpse at what this historic railroad town looked like in the early 1900s. There are also plenty of modern shopping opportunities. Birders, golfers, art-lovers, historians and campers will find plenty of opportunities for entertainment in Socorro, especially for the outdoorsman. Check out the City’s website for a full list of activities available in the area, including walking tours, dirt biking and ATVs, and downtown shopping and dining. (continued on Page 53)
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Conserving New Mexico’s Wildlife for Future Generations 50
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CHAMA: New Mexico’s Mecca for Year-Round Fun One of the best-kept secrets in New Mexico is the enchanting Village of Chama. With an elevation of 7,860 feet, Chama is nestled high in the Southern Rockies, just 120 miles north of Santa Fe. The historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam trains leave the Chama depot daily from Memorial Day weekend to mid-October. Riding the railroad is a day trip of exhilarating mountain views, deep gorges, beautiful spring wild flowers, and later in the season, amazing fall colors. Fishing local trout streams and lakes is a leisurely pleasure, but for a real experience, try fly fishing the Rio Chama, which runs the east side of the village. Hikers and mountain bikers find many trails, including the Continental Divide Trail nearby. The Sargent’s Wildlife Area surrounds Chama with meadows and trails for hiking and horseback riding. Hunting adventures with reliable guides are close to town. Chama has a lively Western-style business district with lodging, RV Parks and cozy dining establishments. Located at the junction of Highway 17 and U.S. 84 (Take State Hwy 285 north from Santa Fe to Española, then take the “Chama Highway”/84 north.), the Village of Chama is the perfect destination for anyone seeking scenic outdoor recreation. Crowds gather in Chama for the famous Fourth of July fireworks display. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad offers a fireworks train in the evening. Chama Days, the second weekend of August, is always fun with a softball tournament, New Mexico Professional Rodeo Commission rodeo, dances and a parade. Enjoy the Valley Studio Tour every Labor Day weekend and visit our local artists. Cool times in cool pines are the epitome of summer fun in Chama’s cabins and vacation ranches. And it’s an absolute mecca for winter sports, too! For your safety and comfort, take a light jacket or sweater for those cool evening walks, and check with the local ranger district before heading out to hike. Never travel alone and make sure you are adequately prepared. At these altitudes, the weather can sneak up on you.
Chamanmv.com Summer on the Chama River. (Photo Credit: www.exposureandfstop.com) www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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Auditing New Mexico Cuisine (continued from Page 18)
El Jacalito Restaurant (translation = Tiny Hut) in Las Cruces is difficult to spot but impossible to forget. Owned by twin brothers, the restaurant boasts excellent tacos and a double meat, double cheese burger with a slice of ham, bacon, and avocado, and a frank on top. It takes two people to finish it. If that’s too much, we were told to order the red chilé enchiladas. Players Sports Bar and Grill in Dulce offers excellent Navajo tacos as well as regular tacos and typical bar food.
NM Inspired Apparel
In Santa Fe, you cannot go wrong with the red chilé at The Shed or just about anything at Tomasita’s, which just opened a second location off Interstate 25 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque, too, has a number of quality New Mexican restaurants: Sadie’s, Padilla’s, Church Street Café, El Bruno’s, Duran’s Central Pharmacy, El Pinto, Taco Shel (featuring the original recipes from the original Taco Sal), Los Cuates, Cervantes, La Salita and many, many more. Yebr at Precision Accounting professes to be a taco lover who prefers street (soft) tacos to hard shell, and Carne Asada over regular ground beef taco meat. She says Carne Asada in northern New Mexico tends to be fattier, and in the south the meat is leaner. When asked about the ubiquitous breakfast burrito, one recommendation came through loud and clear – Vic’s on Wyoming and Central Avenue in Albuquerque. The reasonably priced Cowboy Burrito has a bit of everything – egg, potato, and chunks of country fried steak topped with a white green chilé gravy. Steve Folkes from Precision Accounting staked his culinary reputation on Vic’s Jalapeno Piñon Blue Corn Pancakes, as unique of a New Mexican breakfast as you’re likely to get anywhere. The auditors also really like Richard’s on Menaul, west of American Furniture in Albuquerque. It serves a dish called Fideo angel hair pasta with a little red chilé Mexican comfort food. Among other eateries praised by the auditors: Alamogordo – Peppers Grille, 3200 N. White Sands Blvd. Capitan – Oso Grill, 100 Lincoln Ave. Chimayo – Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante, 300 Santa Fe County Road Española – El Parasol, 603 Santa Cruz Road Gallup – Earl’s Family Restaurant, 1400 Rte. 66 (Native American influence) Hatch – Sparky’s, 115 Franklin St. (best green chilé cheeseburger)
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Jemez Springs – Los Ojos Restaurant and Saloon, NM Highway 4 (continued on next page)
Auditing New Mexico Cuisine (continued from previous page)
Las Vegas – Spic & Span Bakery & Café, 715 Douglas Ave.
Raton – Pappas’ Sweet Shop Restaurant, 1201 S Second St.
Las Vegas – Hill Crest, 1106 Grand Ave. (for breakfast)
Red River – Sundance Mexican Restaurant, 401 E High St.
Logan – The Annex Bar & Grill, 101 U.S. 54 (a bit of everything)
Ruidoso – Casa Blanca Restaurant, 501 Mechem Drive
Lordsburg – El Charro Restaurant, 209 Southern Pacific Blvd. Los Lunas – Teofilo’s Restaurante, 144 Main Street NW (best chilé rellenos) Mora – Hatchas Café, 324 NM-518
Taos – Bella's Mexican Grill, 122 Dona Luz Taos – Orlando's New Mexican Cafe, 1114 Paseo del Pueblo Norte Tularosa – Casa de Sueños, 35 St Francis Drive (fried avocados) Tucumcari – Pow Wow & Lizard Lounge, 801 Rte. 66
North-Central New Mexico: History, Art, Culture (continued from Page 50)
If you like games of chance, then try your luck at Route 66 casino on Interstate 25, west of Albuquerque. The casino floor features more than 1,300 slots from pennies to high stakes machines, Vegas-style table games, a popular bingo hall, as well as full hotel accommodations, great food, and regular entertainment options. Check out the rich history of Los Lunas with a visit to its Visitors Center, your source for information about the array of local events held year-round. While you’re there, look at the rich history of Los Lunas through a photo display inside the building. Do not miss Albuquerque’s Historic Old Town Plaza, the humble roots from which Albuquerque grew. Old Town offers an impressive selection of New Mexico cuisine and the work of local artisans in an area that surrounds historic San Felipe de Neri Church. There are three nearby museums and the City’s BioPark. The plaza offers a therapeutic ambiance if you just want to sit and watch the world go by. Sixty miles north of Albuquerque on I-25, historic Santa Fe has world-class art galleries, museums, and restaurants, and is the seat of state government. Explore the fascinating history of the Palace of the Governors on historic Santa Fe Plaza amid the city’s signature Pueblo Revival architecture. Savor local cuisine at any of 200 restaurants or grab a bite from a food cart's tasty hand-held faire on the plaza. North of Santa Fe in the town of Española, take a spin by the Santa Claran Hotel and Casino; the Puye Cliff Dwellings, which give visitors an immersive experience into the lives
of the ancient; and the Black Mesa Golf Course, a great challenge to duffers. It’s a safe bet that you will enjoy a stop at Nambe Falls Casino. Adjacent to the Nambe Falls Travel Center, just outside of Santa Fe on US 84, the casino has a boutique space, contemporary design and unmatched convenience. Known as a world class ski area, Taos offers clean air and magnificent views, rich spiritual traditions, the beauty of the landscape, creative inspiration, abundant outdoor recreation, shopping, and great dining. A day in Taos will change your outlook and perhaps even your style. For additional winter sport options, check out Angel Fire Resort, which opened in 1966 as a small ski destination. Now it is a four-season resort offering a memorable Rocky Mountain experience for families, outdoor enthusiasts and groups. Located 8,600 feet above sea level, the resort has views of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico. Eight miles south of the Colorado border, the small town of Chama boasts elk habitats, clean rivers, hunting, fishing, rafting, hiking and camping, as well as a must-see night view of the Milky Way. Serious hikers can pick up the Continental Divide Trail not far from town. Chama’s train depot is the western terminus of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad offering daily steam excursions from Chama from May 26-October 21. Chama hosts an annual 4th of July fireworks display and August parades, with music and a mountain carnival atmosphere. In the fall, the area around Chama is one of the best places in the state to see brilliant foliage. www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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The open road to excitement is at Route 66 Casino Hotel. Rev it up with thrilling casino action featuring over 1,300 slot games and 15 action-packed table games. Fill up with delicious dining options, including New Mexico’s best casino buffet. Switch gears with top-notch, toe-tapping entertainment. Coast into indulgence and stay the night in our classy and comfortable hotel. Have an out-of-this-world experience. An unidentified flying object has landed in the center of the Route 66 Casino Hotel gaming floor, and its alien presence has drawn the newest slot games in the country. The larger-than-life flying saucer draws inspiration from both Area 51 and Route 66. Slot machines within the Area 66 realm will be regularly replaced with brand new exclusive machines, making Route 66 Casino first-to-market with 18 new games every 90 days! Experience world-class quality, service and value at one of our award-winning restaurants and three lounges. Tempt your taste buds at Thunder Road Steakhouse and Cantina. Located in the heart of the casino, this multilevel restaurant serves up sizzling steaks, spicy tacos and specialty drinks from the tequila bar. Enjoy free entertainment by the best local bands every weekend on the bar-top stage. Voted best buffet many times over, Buffet 66 is a world of fresh choices all in one place, with an array of international flavors on the menu. When it comes to All-American comfort foods and cocktails, we’ve got it all! Flashback to the good ol’ days in the newly renovated Johnny Rockets restaurant. Swing by the '50s-inspired diner for an All-American burger, onion rings, and milkshake. Main Street Restaurant & Bar is the perfect place for breakfast, or order a home-style special. Grab an
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indoor patio table and watch all of the casino excitement. If you’re looking to simply wet your whistle, swing by the 360 Lounge, Poker Pub or Main Street Bar, and ask about the drink specials. Let us entertain you. With 2,800 plush theaterstyle seats in Legends Theater, every seat is a good seat. Experience performances from some of the best comedians, rock legends, country superstars, and premier tribute bands in the business. Legends Theater features more than 20 headliner performances every year. The fun doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. Relax in one of the 154 newly renovated rooms at Route 66 Hotel. Refreshed from floor to ceiling, a recent $2 million remodel features an inviting ambiance of lively designs, modern furnishings and many upgrades to make your stay comfortable. Re-energize with in-room amenities from top brands like Simmons Beautyrest®, Starbucks®, and Bath & Body Works®. Hotel reservations are available now. For rates, member discounts and reservations, please call 866-711-STAY (7829). The entire family can get their kicks at Route 66 at Kids Quest and Cyber Quest, the on-site hourly child care and a non-violent game arcade. Route 66 Casino Hotel is the only casino property in New Mexico to offer this children's program. Open seven days a week, Kids Quest accepts children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. The best gaming, dining and entertainment is just a hop, skip and short 18-minute drive west of Albuquerque, exit 140 on Interstate 40. Get all the latest Route 66 Casino Hotel news and announcements at www.rt66casino.com.
READY. SET.
GO PLAY!
Get away from the everyday and head toward excitement. Enjoy thrilling casino action, delicious dining options, top-notch entertainment and then stay the night in our classy and comfortable hotel.
866-352-RT66 (7866) • RT66CASINO.COM www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER • WINTER 2018
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Pecos River
Moon Dog Publishing 9400 Holly Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87122
PECOS RIVER RECREATION AREA
Life is better on the river.
Located within the heart of Carlsbad, Lake Carlsbad offers fishing, boating, and water-skiing. Lake Carlsbad is surrounded by several hundred acres of City-owned parks, a golf course and a lighted lakeside walkway that stretches over 4.5 miles. Other amenities include tennis courts, racquetball courts, play grounds, skateboard park, splash pad, water park and the River Walk Youth Recreation Center.
CarlsbadNMTrue.com
Funded in part by city of Carlsbad Lodgers Tax
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