New Mexico features 26 recognized State Scenic Byways

(continued from Page 21) the Territorial Style of adobe architecture in the American Southwest. Keep in mind that Lincoln’s historic locales are open Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (https:// nmhistoricsites.org/lincoln)

Along this portion of the route are loops off the main highway into various small towns, San Patricio among them. It, too, was supposedly a hangout for Billy the Kid. Newmexiconomad.com reports that the town was known for hosting dances in the 1870s, and the Kid apparently loved dancing second only to fighting.

In the fall, you can end your journey on a sweet note with fresh berries and apples for sale during the harvest season in San Patricio.

Central: Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway

Distance: 65 miles

Drive time: Approx. 90 minutes, without stops

The drive: Start from the north, just outside of Santa Fe, or from the south, just east of Albuquerque, on NM Highway 14. The scenic stretch is ideal for a one-way trip off the beaten path between the two cities. Named for rich turquoise deposits found throughout the area, this drive meanders through rock outcroppings, piñon and juniper forests, as well as towns once known for mining gold, silver, copper, turquoise or coal. Today, they offer an eclectic mix of art and quirky.

Tijeras, which means “scissors” in Spanish, is the southern gateway for this beautiful stretch. It applies to the canyon passing through the Sandia Mountains (Drive through it on Interstate 40), as well as to the village within the canyon. The original inhabitants of the canyon were Pueblo people, occupying Tijeras Pueblo near the present-day town of Tijeras. Stop at the Tijeras Pueblo Archaeological Site to see a museum with exhibits showing just how long humans have inhabited the area; participate in scheduled lectures; or just take a break from the car on a self-guided trail. (https:// www.friendsoftijeraspueblo.org/)

Just up the road is Cedar Crest, where you can catch NM 536 and drive through the Cibola National Forest for 13 winding miles to splendid overlooks from the 10,378foot Sandia Peak. About 10 percent of the state, or an 11,000-square-mile panoramic view, is visible from the top on a clear day. Along the way are multiple trailheads and camping sites, as well as the Sandia Ski Area. One of the world’s longest trams can take people to and from the peak, down the opposite side of the mountain to the Albuquerque foothills Wednesdays through Mondays. For information, visit https://sandiapeak.com/.

Before heading north again on Highway 14, you may want to stop in at Tinkertown Museum, which is celebrating its 40th year. You’ll happen upon it near the base of NM 536 at Cedar Crest. The eccentric 22 rooms contain one man’s life’s work – wooden, antique, recyclable, and memorabilia collections that defy description but just may end up being the talk of the trip. For more, visit https://tinkertown.com/ about/.

The next town along the way is Golden, the site of the first gold rush west of the Mississippi. Prospecting began in the late 1820s, followed by large mining companies, whose workers built the San Francisco Catholic Church. Mining was lucrative for decades, and the town that developed was named Golden as a result. Today, the church is one of the most photographed buildings along the byway. It was restored by historian and author Fray Angelico Chavez.

The most active town along the route is Madrid (pronounced MAH-drid), which boasts about 150 year-round residents, according to the U.S. Census, and double that according to people who live there. The town developed on a bustling coal mining industry throughout the 19th century. Today, it is a lively community of creatives, with more than 40 shops and galleries, several restaurants, and even a spa. Its Mineshaft Tavern is known for its 40-foot pine and oak bar, the “longest bar in the state.” For more on things to do on Madrid, visit http://www.visitmadridnm.com/.

Gold, silver, lead, zinc, and turquoise were mined on up the way in the hills surrounding the town of Cerrillos. However, its Cerrillos’ fine turquoise that the area remains known for. Turquoise mining here dates to at least 900 A.D., according to the Amigos de Cerrillos Hills State Park, which offers educational and recreational opportunities yearround. Around the turn of the 19th century, New Mexico’s production of turquoise was $1.6 million, most of it coming from the hills around Cerrillos. (www.cerrilloshills.org)

The mining areas are now closed, and the town of Cerrillos is a ghost town that attracts film crews and tourists. Remnants

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