Choose Your Own Adventure in New Mexico

Range of travel modes offer unique, low-risk vacation experiences

BY NOW, everyone just wants to get out of the house. Where we go and what we do for fun has hit a pretty low bar. But families that want something resembling a normal vacation can still have it in New Mexico. While Covid-19 may have eliminated some traditional options, it also opens up opportunities to travel differently, creating unique experiences you might not have otherwise had. Whether exploring on foot, seeing mountains from a steam train, or viewing the state from a bird’s eye view, how you travel in New Mexico can be just as rewarding as what you see and do. Keep in mind that special precautions will be in place at all venues, and operations could change depending on State health orders. All information contained in this article was correct as of publication deadline in early March. The following is a sampling of excursions and venues that promise fun for the whole family. Hoofing it In a remote southwest corner of New Mexico, just south of Interstate 10 near Deming, you’ll discover a true gem of a site. Aptly named Rockhound State Park, your child – and your inner child - will think he or she has found heaven on earth if they a) love digging in the dirt, b) want to take natural souvenirs from national or state parks but are never allowed, c) have an affinity for collecting rocks and/or d) display signs of becoming a blossoming geologist. Contrary to most state and national parks, where removal of any natural objects is illegal, visitors here are encouraged to excavate semi-precious mineral specimens such as quartz crystals, geodes, jasper and perlite. The only limitation is how much you can take – a maximum of 15 pounds. It’s unlikely you’ll find that much, however. Quartz crystals are fairly easy to locate, but geodes will require luck and digging down several feet. Jasper, which occurs in red, white and pink, is mostly found in small outcroppings. It, too, requires an investment of time to find and extract. Locating perlite is your best bet. The shiny black glassy rock is exposed at various locations that can contain deposits several feet thick. You can break it off in smaller pieces with a hammer or other implement, like a chisel or spade. If you’re intent on leaving with treasure, be prepared to spend several hours on the hillside. The park is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, in accordance with the State Public Health Order. For updates, visit http:// www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/rockhoundstatepark.html. For the less rugged, a leisurely walk in the park is a beautiful way to connect with both nature and loved ones. The Albuquerque BioPark’s zoo, Tingley Beach, and Botanic Garden were open to all visitors as of deadline for this story. Forbes ranked the garden among the top 10 in the country in 2018. To minimize face-to-face contact, tickets for the BioPark must be bought online, in advance (https://abqbiopark. holdmyticket.com/). Guests choose a time and date to visit at the time of purchase and must arrive within a half-hour of that time with a printed ticket or a ticket on an electronic device. To ensure social distancing, the park is limiting the number of timed tickets available each day.

(continued on Page 24)