January 2018
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f e br ua ry 1 0 t h t hr o u g h j u ly 2 9 t h 2 0 1 8
An extraordinary experience from Grande Exhibitions
Congratulations l e a r n to c r e at e
John Vazquez, Barron’s hailed as one of the world’s geniuses. Leonardo darecognized Vinci is by universally What makes this gifted individual so unique? What can we learn from his John Vazquez has been named by Barron’s multi-disciplinary approach and analytical observations that can inform us today? as one of the nation’s top financial advisors for the sixth consecutive year. Join us as we explore lessons from the master artist, innovator, architect, anatomist and scientist. Tickets available at www.nmnaturalhistory.org/da-vinci Vazquez Wealth Management Group John J. Vazquez Senior Vice President–Wealth Management Senior Portfolio Manager
new mexico museum of natural history and science 141 East Palace Avenue Coronado Building Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-989-5112 800-450-2843 john.vazquez@ubs.com
1801 Mountain Road NW • Albuquerque, NM (505) 841-2800 • naturalhistory.org
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travelnewmex.com | winter 2018 Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors lists are based on assets under management, revenue and quality of practices. As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, we offer both investment advisory and brokerage services. These services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways an d are governed by different laws and separate contracts. For more information on the distinctions between our brokerage and investment advisory services, please speak with y our Financial Advisor or visit our website at 1.32_Ad_8.5x11_KK0313_VazJ 0414077 Exp. 4/30/16 ubs.com/workingwithus . ©UBS 2015. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC.
LAS VEGAS, NEW MEXICO IS...
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DAMNAUTHENTIC.COM LAS VEGAS VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER 500 RAILROAD AVENUE LAS VEGAS, NM 87701-4507 800.832.5947
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index 6: ABQ Craft Beer Get High Marks
18: Las Vegas NM, Where Neighbors Stand Together
8: High Road to Taos
20: What Sets New Mexico Apart as a Winter Wonderland?
9: Chama: New Mexico’s Mecca for Winter Fun 10: The Original, Best, Local Sip N’ Paint 14: Northwestern New Mexico: Rocks, Roads and Bling 14:Northeastern New Mexico: A Raucous Past Among Varied Vistas
22: Planting the Seeds of Inspiration: Da Vinci—The Genius Comes to New Mexico 23: Southwestern New Mexico: Frontiers, Old and New 23: Southeastern New Mexico: Caves, Casinos and Culture 27: North-Central New Mexico: History, Art, Culture
15: 185 Steps To Sweetness: Old Town’s The Candy Lady Endures 28: Creative Artists Turn Trash Into Art 16: Bilingual Educators to Convene in ABQ
PUBLISHERS MATT GANTNER WILLIAM HALSEY
9400 Holly Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87122 (505) 259-7969
TRAVELNEWMEX.COM
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
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ASHLEY CONNER DANA BENJAMIN
WRITERS MARTIN FRENTZEL MARY ANN HATCHITT
The New Mexico Top Destinations Magazine is published once a year by Moon Dog Publishing. The Publisher does not take responsibility for the accuracy or legitimacy of the advertiser’s message or that of the guest writer/columnists or any aspect of the business operation or conduct of the advertisers in the magazine. Moon Dog Publishing reserves the right to edit all articles for accuracy and style. For more information and advertising rates, call (505) 350-8695 or (505) 259-7969.
Cover Locations (inside of New Mexico state graphic) From Left to Right: Taos Pueblo, Taos, NM Guadalupe Park, Artesia, NM Bridge Street, Las Vegas, NM Santa Fe Ski Basin, Santa Fe, NM El Farol Restaurant, Santa Fe, NM 4
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Bosque del Apache, Socorro, NM
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ABQ Craft Beer Get High Marks
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ew Mexico produces 111,237 barrels of craft beer annually according to the latest stats provided by the Brewers Association, headquartered in Boulder, Colo. The association has 4,100 members and conducts the Great American Beer Festival annually in Denver, and the World Beer Cup which is held every two years. The competition is tough, with 276 judges from 13 countries appraising 7,923 beers in 2017. Keeping tabs on craft beer tourism across the United States is another facet of the association’s activities, and if you visit Craftbeer.com you will see that hot and dry Albuquerque gets some very high marks for its beer. BARGAIN ROAD TRIPS Let’s start with Trivago’s Best Value Destinations for 2017. Albuquerque was No. 3 on the list of Best Cities for Biking and Beer Lovers, reported Jess Baker in Craft Beer News. Baker is the editor-in-chief of the website, and Trivago.com is a travel website specializing in bargains. Trivago used an algorithm based on hotel prices, guest reviews and expenses to pick its best values. Boulder, Colo., free-lance writer Tyra Sutak (Beer Destination) wrote about “Five Epic Craft Beer Road Trips” on Aug. 15, 2017. Denver to Albuquerque was one of the road trips described, and Craftbeer.com picked up the story. “Albuquerque is absolutely seen as a craft brewing destination, and you can quote me,” says Julia Herz, craft beer program director for the Brewers Association. The Duke City offers craft beer fans 15 microbreweries and 14 brewpubs. Brewpubs serve food and beer, while taprooms serve beer. That does not include the locations in Rio Rancho, Bernalillo or Belen that offer craft beer. “I have been to over 500 breweries in 47 states and eight countries,” says Jeff Erway, founder of La Cumbre Brewing Company (www.lacumbrebrewing.com). “I cannot think of a better place to spend a long weekend for the beer-centric traveler than Albuquerque. The beer here really is that good.” La Cumbre was one of the five Albuquerque breweries Sutak included in the Denver-toAlbuquerque road trip, but let’s start off with 6
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Boxing Bear Brewing Co. Boxing Bear is a brewpub near Alameda and Corrales Rd., and those Great American Beer Festival judges have been singing the praises of the Bear the last couple of years. In 2017, Boxing Bear’s Featherweight Session was awarded a bronze medal at the festival. The category was Session India Pale Ale, and receiving a bronze (third place) out of 130 entries is pretty darn impressive. The previous year, 2016, Boxing Bear – www. boxingbearbrewing. com – won a gold medal with “The Red Glove,” a doublered ale. There were A flight of beers at 78 entries in the Boxing Bear Brewing category. Boxing is a nice introduction to the 2016 Mid-size Bear’s Chocolate Brewpub and Brewer Milk Stout was the of the Year. gold medalist in Photo by Martin the 71-entry Sweet Frentzel Stout or Cream Stout category. Those gold medals propelled Boxing Bear to national glory as the MidSize Brewpub and Mid-size Brewer of the Year for 2016. John Campi, general manager at Boxing Bear, says he believes Albuquerque has produced some of the nation’s best brewers. “If you visit a handful of local breweries, the awards and accolades will back up my statement,” Campi says. “I think what makes Albuquerque great and what makes it stick out is the unique and diverse offering of beers.” Marble Brewing Company – www.marblebrewery. com – has three locations around Albuquerque (downtown on Marble Ave., in the northeast heights on Montgomery, and on the westside on Night Whisper). It made Sutak’s list of road trip stops. It also won the Great American Beer Festival gold in 2017 for
Marble Brewing Company’s Double White is a top seller at Marble’s taprooms across the city. Photo by Martin Frentzel
(continued on next page)
ABQ Craft Beer Get High Marks (continued from previous page)
its Cholo Stout, and in 2016 its Pilsner won a bronze in the Kellerbier category. There were 69 entries. Stop by one of the taprooms, however, and you will learn one of its top-selling brews is the Double White, described as “Belgianinspired wheat ale.” Double White won gold at the Great American Beer Festival in 2014. In fact, Marble has won 9 Great American Beer Festival medals since 2011, according to Efrain Villa’s article about the city’s Wells Park Breweries and reposted on Craftbeer.com. Another Albuquerque gold-medal beer in 2017 was the Imperial Cream Ale produced by Nexus. There were 40 entries in that category, and Nexus was one of the road trip destinations. TRUST YOUR SERVER With all the award-winning beers available in Albuquerque how does one know where to start? One suggestion is to ask your server. “Each server who works at Bosque Brewing Co. is required to take and pass the Certified Beer Server test through the Cicerone program, says Jess Griego, director of Culture & Engagement at Bosque. Cicerone is web-based beer training for industry professionals. In addition, the State of New Mexico requires all alcohol servers to take server training, and the state’s Regulation and Licensing Department –
www.rld.state.nm.us – lists 10 contractors authorized to train servers. The Colorado-based Brewers Association also offers server training and other resources to ensure that the craft beer industry provides quality products.
Steel Bender is a
newer brewpub, but Servers and brewers collaborating with also tend to move from is other local breweries brewery to brewery, like Boxing Bear and and sometimes they La Cumbre. Photo by Martin collaborate when Frentzel producing products. One of the newest brewpubs, Steel Bender Brewyard (www. steelbenderbrewyard.com) in Los Ranchos, has collaborated with La Cumbre to create Collaboration Brett Ale, and with Boxing Bear on Apple Bear Cider. These were limited offerings, so watch the websites if you want to experience Albuquerque’s beer scene for yourself.
Drinking responsibly also is encouraged by the industry. La Cumbre’s Erway encourages beer lovers to take a Lyft or Uber when they do their road trips.
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High Road to Taos
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AOS – The High Road to Taos isn’t really a tourist highway. There isn’t a lot of neon glitz, fast food places, or, typically, traffic congestion. What you do find is art, artists and craftspeople practicing everything from modern art based on classical themes to families engaged in traditional skills of their mountain outposts – weaving, farming, running livestock. Family has deep roots here, and along the rope of roads and highways that link Chimayo to Taos you will see that maintaining this road in honor of deceased family members is a cherished activity. You also will see that this is a Trail of Crosses, testimonials to communities of deep faith. CHIMAYO
The High Road begins where N.M. 503 leaves U.S. 285 at Pojoaque. The speeding traffic is immediately gone and the signs make drivers aware that
horse traffic is common on this road. The tribal casinos of 285 are left behind, replaced by coyote fences, adobe homes, galleries and gardens. Galleries are common all along the High Road, and those wishing to visit as many artists as possible should consider visiting during the High Roads Studio Tour in September (highroad newmexico.com).
Travelers entering the Village of Truchas are welcomed by this large cross on N.M. 76. Photo by Martin Frentzel.
The trail passes through Nambe Pueblo, recognized on the list of Historic Places and known to exist since the 14th Century. Spanish influence began here in about 1598, and a Catholic church was built in 1729. Our route takes a left onto N.M. 98, which winds into the village of Chimayo. This village is famous for its Good Friday pilgrimages to El Santuario de Chimayo. Thousands of faithful Catholic pilgrims walk the road, carrying prayers and crosses to the National Historic Landmark. The faithful are praying for a miracle – relief from aches and pains, cures of debilitating diseases – for either themselves or family members. Many of the crosses they carry are tied to the chain-link fencing that surrounds the property. Signage makes it clear the ground you are on is sacred, and visitors are expected to be respectful.
OPEN YEAR-ROUND TOURS | TELESCOPE VIEWING INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS Flagstaff, AZ | www.lowell.edu | (928) 774-3358 8 travelnewmex.com | winter 2018
A reported 300,000 Catholics visit every year, many taking small containers of blessed soil from the Santuario for use at home; rubbed on weakened joints or simply kept nearby for the comfort provided to those who believe. From time to time sceptics test the qualities of the soil, but the believers learned in Matthew 10 22 that it is their faith that makes them whole. (continued on Page 12)
Chama: New Mexico’s Mecca for Winter Fun
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ne of the best-kept secrets in New Mexico is the enchanting little village of Chama at the top of the state. It is the western home of the Cumbres & Toltec steam railroad, the home of great trout fishing and horseback riding in its summer meadows. Oh, yeah, and it’s an absolute mecca for winter sports, too! Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing—everything but downhill skiing is abundantly available in Chama’s gorgeous natural open country. Every Martin Luther King weekend, in January, Chama hosts the Chama Chile Ski Classic, a cross-country ski event. There are races and special events occurring all weekend. This year the event has been moved to Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25. There’s also a fabulous hot air balloon rally the same weekend. Chama, with its lively Western-style business district, several hotels and cozy dining establishments, is located on U.S. 84 (take the “Chama Highway” out of Española) in the beautiful and diverse Chama Valley near the Colorado border. The valley, created and traversed by the Rio Chama, is situated in the southern Rockies at 7,860 feet elevation, with nearby Brazos Peaks offering mountain vistas and scenic gorges.
The valley’s human history is rich with stories of toil and innovation, from the indigenous Indian people to Hispanic settlers to trappers and latter-day business people attracted by the varied resources. Winter especially offers breathtaking beauty in the Rio Chama Valley. Days are sunny; nights are clear and filled with stars. In the valley, the combination of bright sunshine and lack of humidity make for surprisingly comfortable days. In the surrounding mountain passes, you’ll find a reliable base of snow. The gentle terrain of the mesas makes for perfect cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Groomed trails and marked tracks crisscross easily accessible public lands. This area has five yurts available for those wishing to spend the night. In colder years, visitors and residents gather for fine ice fishing on Heron Reservoir. For your safety and comfort, Chama locals warn to always check with the appropriate ranger district before heading out; never travel alone, and make sure you are adequately prepared. For more information go to Chama Valley Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-477-0149. For yurt information go to www.skichama.com.
The largest retail arts and crafts store in the Southwest; solely owned and operated by the Pueblo of Sandia. -Authenticity Guaranteed-
Inventory of the Bien Mur Indian Market Center: Hopi, Navajo, Santo Domingo, and Zuni
Jewelry Pottery Storytellers Navajo Rugs
Zuni Fetishes Sand Paintings Flutes, Rattles & Drums War Bonnets
Moccasins Pendleton Blankets Zapotec Rugs Books & Music
Retail & Wholesale Association Membership 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. www.sandiapueblo.nsn.us
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The Original, Best, Local Sip N’ Paint
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ust off 4th Street in the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, there is a one-of-a-kind, popular, must-see factory outlet gallery that features stunning pottery and ceramic creations for purchase, and a place for would-be artists to test their wings. The brainchild of owner and celebrated artist Kelly Jo Kuchar, Kelly Jo Designs has been handcrafting functional artwork in New Mexico for more than 25 years. With a long history of pottery production, this extensive and unique collection of ceramic plates, bowls and vases reflect our stunning New Mexican landscape and bright colors. An elegant addition to any home, a perfect gift to be treasured for years to come, or a personalized wedding gift (with ample lead-time), Kelly Jo Kuchar Kelly Jo and her skilled artisans create There is nothing intimidating, and these unique treasures, which are sold everything encouraging, about the and shipped all over the United States process of creating art here. This to galleries, wineries, stores, and to comfortable and upbeat environment private collectors. Recently, Kelly Jo was features long tables with easels set up commissioned to design and paint 170 at each work station. Participants are tile murals, which are installed in Santa advised about brushes and told how Fe’s historic hotel, the newly renovated many pumps of the colorful paint to put La Fonda. on their paper plate palette. The room In recent years, Kelly Jo and her staff is cool, bright and spacious. An added decided to share the fun, joy and bonus is that the classroom shares satisfaction of creativity with the public the same building with the working by creating Kelly Jo Designs by Wine, production studio, so guests can even an interactive sip and paint experience, take a tour during their breaks. The which has created quite a buzz in instructor carefully guides participants Albuquerque and nearby communities step-by-step, from start to finish, on how among people who aspire to create to create their paintings. Music plays in art. Classes are offered daily and the background throughout, and small feature a variety of distinctively New breaks are taken to allow each paint Mexican painting choices. There is also layer to dry before adding the next a beautiful patio oasis for artists to drop feature. This is affordable, wholesome, in to paint their own pottery. The patio creative fun that will broaden your features a full wine bar, too. horizons, change your perspective, and have you looking for sales on One class participant admitted that acrylic paint and canvases to continue a before receiving a gift certificate to Kelly wonderful new hobby. Jo Designs by Wine, a fresh canvas sat in her closet for 15 years because she had Enjoy the new outdoor wine bar patio no idea how to start painting. “With the and explore all that Kelly Jo Designs has step-by-step guidance from instructors to offer - a perfect venue to shop for art, at Kelly Jo’s, I have now created many create art, enjoy wine or schedule your paintings, losing myself entirely in the next private party. Kelly Jo Designs by process and I love the way creating art Wine, 6829 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos de has shown me a new way of ‘seeing’.” Albuquerque, NM 87107, 505.341.1893, kelly@kellyjodesignsbywine.com 10
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THE APACHEAN PEOPLES OF THE SOUTHWEST led a nomadic way of life in harsh and unforgiving terrain. Expert horsemen, artists, scientists, medicine people, and brilliant warriors, their movements were beautifully choreographed to align with the land, the cosmos, and animal and plant life in the worlds in which they roamed.
710 Camino Lejo (on Museum Hill), Santa Fe | (505) 476-1269 | indianartsandculture.org | Chiricahua Apache quiver with attached bow case (detail), 1886. Brain-tanned leather, glass seed beads, wool flannel (MIAC 44379/12).
p hoto by addiso n doty
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High Road to Taos (continued from Page 8)
Slightly more than a mile down the road sits Ortega’s Weaving Shop and Galeria Ortega (www.ortegasweaving.com). This family has been weaving in the vicinity since the early 1700s. Gabriel Ortega was first to pass his knowledge down to his son, Manuel Pablo, and today the ninth generation of weavers is creating rugs, blankets, vests and coats. “In addition to our family,” says Alan Ortega, “twenty people weave for us in their homes.” Alan is one of four brothers – the seventh Ortega generation – currently involved in running the business. The looms being used are 35, 45 or 60 years old, and the shop has been in the same location since 1900 when Nicacio Ortega – Gabriel’s great-grandson – set up shop in an old general store. Next door is the Galeria Ortega which sells carvings, books, pottery and other New Mexico products like blue corn flour and red chile powder. This is a good place to stop if you don’t have the time to visit other villages like Cordova, famous for wood carvers who produce saints and angels. DEEPEST FAITH Most of the villages along the High Road are in mountain valleys, but high atop a ridge jutting out from some of the highest peaks in New Mexico, sits Truchas, a colony officially started in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with a royal land grant from Spain in 1754. In addition to farming and herding, these families were expected to help stop marauding, nomadic Apaches and Comanches that enjoyed raiding the Spanish villages. Harry Cordova, 70, says his family has been in the Truchas area since 1598. “My grandfather’s family was from Cordova, and my grandmother’s family was from here.” His shop sits close to the Catholic church and contains a host of memories and a few physical reminders of the past. His mother’s loom still sits there – she started weaving when she was 13 – with a picture of Jesus Christ on the left side and John and Jackie Kennedy riding through Texas on the right. Her handiwork – a blanket with a steer on it – is hanging on the wall; the brand it bears belonged to Harry’s father.
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This deep traditional lifestyle is what brought artists Barbara McCauley and her husband, Alvaro Cardona-Hine, to Truchas in 1987. Completed in 1780, the After living in San Jose de Gracia de Los Angeles and Las Trampas mission is recognized as an St. Paul, Minn., excellent example of and traveling Spanish Colonial Mission the world, they architecture. It is in Las wanted to settle Trampas, on the High in New Mexico. “I Road to Taos. Photo by wanted to change Martin Frentzel. my life, totally,” she says. “I like what’s here, it’s real.” Alvaro originally was from Costa Rica and Barbara was from Connecticut. They met in Los Angeles at a poetry workshop and spent their lives producing art in many media. Alvaro was a poet, a composer and a painter, Barbara a writer and mother before she resumed painting. He and Barbara traveled extensively, and their art may be viewed online at www. cardonahinegallery.com/. Raised Catholic, Barbara finds Truchas filled with faithful people. The Brotherhood of Penitentes still practices here, and one Holy Week she participated in El Encuentro, the Mother of Jesus saying farewell to her son. “I have never seen faith like that ever,” she says. “It was beautiful, very human.” On this Trail of Crosses, of course, churches abound. From Nambe Pueblo to Los Ranchos de Taos – technically not on the High Road but one of the most photographed churches in the country – you don’t have to travel far to see faith contained in ancient adobe structures. In Las Trampas, San Jose de Gracia stands sentinel against the sky as it has since 1776. In Ranchos de Taos, 4 miles southwest of Taos itself, San Francisco de Asis Mission Church was built between 1772 and 1816. It may not be on the official route, but a few minutes spent there looking at the giant buttresses, steeples and statuary of St. Francis and you will admire the dedication and faith the churches represent.
experience
Bosque del Apache
SOCORRO unlike any other city Visit us at:
www.SocorroNM.org
Socorro Historic Plaza
www.facebook.com/ SocorroNM
Verry Large Array
Northwestern New Mexico: Rocks, Roads and Bling If spectacular natural beauty, rich history, outdoor activities, culturally-immersive 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. As you embark on your scenic tour of the region, make time for a stop at Sky City Casino Hotel on Interstate 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 fne accommodations and dining all in one place. 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 in August, or cruise historic Route 66, there is much in this part of New Mexico to heighten the senses and stir dormant primal connections. 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 I-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 May through October, there are art walks from 5-9 p.m. at Farmington’s downtown galleries, in addition to Farmington’s four big art walks that take place once per month 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 Saturday and Sunday August 11-12, 2018. The 13th annual fair is scheduled for Thursday, August 30 through Sunday, September 2, 2018. While the old Zuni mission is closed for tours for the foreseeable future for the safety of the public due to deteriorating structural conditions, tours offer a guided Middle Village Walking Tour; two archaeology tours; and a traditional Zuni meal. To get to Zuni, exit I-40, 85 miles west of Albuquerque, take exit 82 to NM53/NM-122 W, turn right onto Chavez Circle for 74 miles. A scenic drive off I-40 east of Grants takes you to the other-worldly volcanic fows of El Malpais National Monument. Take exit 89 off I-40 onto NM Highway 117, which travels the eastern boundary of the park. The BLM’s Ranger Station is located nine miles south of this exit and open daily.
Northeastern New Mexico: A Raucous Past Among Varied Vistas
The geology of Northeastern New Mexico is a cornucopia of diverse terrain, with vistas claiming the state’s highest mountain, to the valleys and clear water streams of the Pecos River. As a result, this quadrant of New Mexico offers some of the most breathtaking scenery to be found anywhere. Guests can enjoy the abundant 14
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wildlife of the ultimate outdoor adventure on Ted Turner’s 585,000-acre Vermejo Park Ranch. 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, (continued on Page 30)
185 Steps To Sweetness: Old Town’s The Candy Lady Endures
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emember The Candy Lady in Old Town? Do you recall hearing the shop moved nearly four years ago but you were never quite sure where? You don’t need GPS or a FitBit to find it --- just go to the old store and walk 185 steps east through the Plaza and turn left on the east side of the church. The Candy Lady is right there just two doors south of Mountain Road on San Felipe. After four decades of daily devotion to creating sweet concoctions at one of Old Town’s signature shops The Candy Lady, the real woman behind the operation, owner, operator, and head confectioner Debbie Ball sounded weary and worried going into the Holiday season. ‘I love my customers and greeting visitors to our beautiful city. I️ still love every step in the process of creating the sweet treats we offer,’ Ball sighed when discussing what aspect of the store to focus on in this article. ‘The aromas of the chocolate, sugar and butter morphing into a tasty morsel that melts in your mouth and puts smiles on my customers faces never grows old.’ Then what was it that furrowed the brow of the woman whose culinary creations have sated generations of sweet teeth and made people LOL long before that was even a thing? “I see it on the faces of my customers, it’s tough to survive and keep current with so much changing daily,” Ball said of her preHoliday ennui. ‘It’s been nearly four years ago now since we moved the store yet some people still don’t know where we are or think we’re gone.’ Make no mistake, The Candy Lady is still making delectable delicacies daily in Old Town Albuquerque where the shop has been since the early 1980s, delighting Handmade peanut butter over chocolate fudge
both visitors and the locals with a variety of high quality, sweet home-made confections. Just open the door and the aroma of sweet, mouth- Licorice bridge mix watering deliciousness greets you. To the left there’s an alluring, colorful array of tempting taste treats behind glass, 20 assorted flavors of fudge: Amaretto, Chocolate Red Chile, White Red Chile, Chocolate Green Chile, Peanut Butter, Rocky Road, Lemon Dream Orange Dream, and a special ‘Ouzo Fudge’ is kept in the back. Specialty cakes for all occasions are available by order, including ‘adult cakes’. Pick up a bag of New Mexico’s traditional holiday cookie, homemade Biscochitos and sample a variety of delicious nut brittles including: pistachio, pecan, pinon, cashew, and peanut. The ‘Licorice Wall’ is stocked with 60 varieties of hand-made, licorice, stored in row after row of glass containers. There is also a vast selection of ‘Blackies’, soft and chewy homemade anise candy made with caramel. Diabetics and those watching their sugar intake can enjoy 30 varieties of sugar-free candy, including Peanut Truffles, Coconut Royale Cream, Black Raspberry Sherbet, Nut Clusters and more. Stop by for a visit, or purchase online at candylady.com. The Candy Lady is located at 424 San Felipe St. NW, Old Town Albuquerque, 505-243-6239, www.candylady.com, open 10AM-6PM, seven days a week.
Finnska ripples (firm)
Piñon brittle (a southwest favorite)
Bilingual Educators to Convene in ABQ
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he National Association of Bilingual Educators will convene 2,700 to 3,000 of its members from the United States, Puerto Rico and Mexico in Albuquerque this spring. The event, which will bring a significant sum of outside dollars to the local economy and help market Albuquerque as a travel destination, is no accident. That the group chose Albuquerque for its meeting is the result of strategic work by the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is the largest organization of its kind in the country and the only one with an entire department marketing to Hispanic, Latin and Native American markets, said Yuriria Morales, an international representative for the AHCC. Groups that hold national and international organizational meetings are invited and recruited by the chamber’s Convention and Tourism Department. These large-scale events bring economic development to Albuquerque via hotel stays, dining in local restaurants and shopping. Morales says one of Albuquerque’s selling points is the great diversity of cultural experiences available in close proximity to downtown hotels and the Albuquerque Convention Center. “In larger cities it takes a long time to get to the attractions,” she said. When the bilingual educators come to the Duke City from March 1-3, the opening ceremony will include Native American dancers, flamenco dancers will perform during the closing ceremonies, and if they want a dance band in between, the AHCC will help the event’s organizers find one. “And we always have balloon rides,” she said. In the past, AHCC has been successful in attracting the League of United Latin American Citizens’ annual meeting to the city. The organization is the oldest surviving Latino civil rights organization, 16
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and the AHCC is bidding on LULAC’s 2020 and 2021 conventions. Another potential customer is the 7,000-member Hispanic Professional Engineers. The AHCC, which was incorporated in 1975, engages in developing other economic opportunities for the community, as well. It offers numerous programs to promote small businesses and support workforce education. Here are a few: • Emprendedores is a nationally recognized bilingual entrepreneurship program developed by the chamber and being used as a model by other organizations, says James Copeland, the director of the AHCC’s Marketing, Communications and Events Department. The program is so extensive that it “will take someone from the basics of starting a business to handling international trade and customs,” he says. • Through the chamber’s Education Excellence Scholarships, an average of 100 students are directed to college access, made aware of financial aid, and/or provided with scholarships. • There is a Small Business Development Center that includes an International Business Accelerator, where classes are regularly offered in procurement and health insurance. • Networking opportunities are offered through a Small Business Owners Roundtable. “We are trying to become the business hub for Albuquerque,” Copeland said. For more information, visit www.ahcnm.org.
Las Vegas NM, Where Neighbors Stand Together
L
AS VEGAS, N.M. – Disasters, both manmade and natural, often bring communities together in ways that everyday life does not. The necessity of working together is clear when the flames are
Above: Andy Kingsbury is vice president of Las Vegas First, an Independent Business Alliance that works to improve its community. Photo by Martin Frentzel.
burning down your neighbor’s home, or a hurricane is sweeping away the beach front where the condos stand.
Right: The Dwan Light Sanctuary is a refuge from hectic modern life and just minutes from the Las Vegas Plaza. Photo by Martin Frentzel.
There are communities, however, that seem to share a common vision of success, that can come together and achieve great things simply because they want to make their chosen city, town or village a better place. Call it civic pride or community involvement, Las Vegas, N.M., is one of those places where neighbors stand together side-by-side and work to make things better. RESTORING THE FIREHOUSE In 1903 the citizens of Las Vegas applied for and obtained $10,000 from the
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Andrew Carnegie Foundation to build the Carnegie Library on National Street. It’s an impressive neoclassical structure built to resemble Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Philanthropist Carnegie believed in providing funds to communities that were
Annual Artesia Events Main Event Car Show & Cruise
Red Dirt Black Gold Festival
Fourth Weekend in March
Last Weekend in August
Clays Crusher Fun Shoot
Art in the Park
TBA - 2018
Smokin’ on the Pecos BBQ Championship
Third Weekend in October
Last Weekend in June
Fourth of July Celebration July 4th
Balloons & Tunes
Eddy County Fair & Rodeo
First Weekend in November
Last Week in July
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888-746-2066 203 North 2nd Street • Artesia, New Mexico • www.hotelartesia.com travelnewmex.com | winter 2018
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What Sets New Mexico Apart as a Winter Wonderland?
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ome to many ski resorts, each offering a unique landscape, challenge and activity options with a host of restaurants, lodgings, and entertainment choices for the vacationer, New Mexico offers world class downhill skiing, perfect weather and gentle terrain for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling terrain with breathtaking vistas, and an extensive collection of cultural and historic attractions. For information about attractions near your destination, download the free Cultural Atlas of New Mexico app. http:// atlas.newmexicoculture.org. Because of the lack of snow, ski conditions will vary at each ski resort. It’s a good idea to call and confirm conditions. RIO CHAMA VALLEY Chama Chile Ski Classics with snowshoeing, fat-tire bike races & more January 13-15th, 2018. Bright sunny days with a lack of humidity make for idyllic cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling on the gentle mesa terrain along the 10,000 foot-high, Cumbres Pass. Situated in the southern Rockies at an elevation of 7,860 feet, the beautiful Chama Valley is in Northern New Mexico near the Colorado border. Equipment is available for rent at reasonable prices. Marked and maintained trails crisscross across the accessible public lands. Dining in the Rio Chama Valley offers pastry and goody shops, reasonably-priced cafés, and full-service locally owned restaurants famous for Northern New Mexico cuisine. Lodging in the valley ranges from exclusive resorts offering gourmet cuisine and sporting activities to riverside motels with rustic cabins, historic Bed and Breakfasts, cabins and lodges tucked away in the woods, or yurt camping. Chama Valley Chamber of Commerce (800) 477-0149 or (575) 7562306. Directions: Eight miles south of the Colorado border at the junction of New Mexico Highway 84/64 and Highway 17. Campers eager for a winter camping experience will find five yurts for rental along the cross-country paths in Rio 20
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Chama, in the beautiful Cumbres Pass and La Manga Pass areas path of the Cumbres Toltec Scenic Railroad. Yurts So Good (info@yurtsogood.com, 575756-2294) offers Spruce Hole yurt, great for beginners with a 2.5-mile hike in, 20-foot diameter, sleeps six, no need for sleeping bags but bring your own sheets, equipped with a telescope and a star-gazing chair in the dome of the yurt. Southwest Nordic Center rents four 16-foot diameter yurts north of Chama, and 24-ft diameter year-round yurt at Bull of the Woods Meadow 2- miles above Taos Ski Valley). You’ll need to bring sleeping bags and food, everything else is provided. Like Spruce Hole, these yurts are equipped with a wood stove, cut wood, kitchen cook stove, kitchen utensils, with drinking water provided by melting snow, and outhouses. Nights are clear and filled with stars. With a three-mile hike in, Southwest Nordic Centers Neff Mountain yurt is also good for beginners. Southwest Nordic Center, (575)-758-4761. Southwest Nordic Center. Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Area in Red River also offers yurt camping, with 33 kilometers of groomed ski trails, 18k of snowshoe trails and 5k of “dog-friendly” trails. Views from the area of the Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area, New Mexico’s highest point, and the numerous peaks in the Carson National Forest are spectacular. Enchanted Forest has two rental yurts, plus a new “dog friendly camp cabin. All are primitive but comfortable with a wood stove (and firewood), dining table, kitchen area and beds. A supply of games and books is also provided. The yurts and cabin are accessed only by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Enchanted Forest (continued on next page)
What Sets New Mexico Apart as a Winter Wonderland? (continued from previous page)
will provide a “pulk” sled for carrying your gear or for an additional fee, they’ll haul your gear for you. A warm 20-degree sleeping bag is a must. Be prepared to get up in the middle of the night and stoke the fire. Rates range from $65 to $150 per night. Info: (575) 754-6112 Located: 3.5 miles east of Red River off Highway. RED RIVER SKI AREA Base 8750 ft., Summit 10,350 ft., Vertical Drop 1600 ft. 58 runs: beginner 32%, intermediate, 38%, advanced 30% The “Ski Town of the Southwest,” in the Southern Rockies, just north of Taos, Red River looks like a set from a movie Western. The easily accessible ski area is situated in the middle of the town and features mostly beginner and intermediate terrain, while still offering good days for advanced skiers or boarders. Two main chairlifts run from the center of town to the Summit Camp, the Emerald Quad Chairlift rises above the Summit Camp with double the uphill capacity and speed. The Red River Ski Area Ski and Snowboard school is one of the finest for all ages and ability. More than 30 affordable lodges are within walking distance of the lifts and Main Street with many excellent deals for families. Every Saturday night at sundown, the Red River Ski Area hosts a torchlight parade and firework. Stroll from live musical performances to your lodging without straining your leg muscles. Info: 575-754-2223. From Red River: head southwest on Jacks and Sixes Tr. toward E. Main St., turn right onto W. Main St., turn left onto Pioneer Rd.
ski resort access from a major city via a 60-person aerial tram that rises more than 4,000 vertical feet in less than 20 minutes. Don’t plan on dinner at High Finance restaurant atop the Tram this year because is closed for demolition. Construction on a new facility will begin in Spring 2018 with an anticipated opening in Fall 2018. Sandiago’s Grill located at the lower Tram Terminal is open daily for lunch, dinner and drinks. New Mexico’s largest city provides many options for off-slope hours. Historic Old Town Albuquerque has a wide variety of shops restaurants, cultural and historic attractions and frequent special events. Just east of Old Town are three museums, the Albuquerque Museum of History, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, and Explora! plus the BioPark, Botanic Gardens and Rio Grande Zoo. Ski Area: 505-242-9052, Snow Report: 505-857-8977. From Albuquerque, I-40 (continued on Page 24)
Welcome To
• O’KEEFFE COUNTRY • EXPLORE A LAND RICH IN BEAUTY, INSPIRATION & HISTORY O’Keeffe Landscape Tours & Trail Rides Archaeology and Paleontology Museums Hiking Trails • Overnight Lodging Transformational Workshops
SANDIA PEAK SKI AREA Base 8678 ft., Summit 10,378 ft., Vertical Drop 1,700 39 runs: beginner 35%, intermediate 55%, advanced 10% New Mexico’s oldest ski area, Sandia Peak, a scenic 45-minute drive outside the Albuquerque Metro area, offers a certified snow sport school, a complete rental shop, skiers’ café, the Sandia Peak Sports Shop, and a stunning panoramic view of the Estancia Valley. Situated high above Albuquerque, Sandia Peak Ski Area boasts, perhaps, the nation’s easiest
GHOSTRANCH.ORG/NMTD travelnewmex.com | winter 2018
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Planting the Seeds of Inspiration: Da Vinci—The Genius Comes to New Mexico
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ust about everyone has heard of Leonardo da Vinci but have you taken the time to explore the depth and breadth of the quintessential Renaissance man’s genius? With innate, inborn ability that crossed many disciplines, da Vinci distinguished himself as a gifted painter, inventor, architect, philosopher, musician, scientist, and student of nature. Nearly five hundred years after his death, Leonardo da Vinci’s legacy of extraordinary works is still revered and studied. New Mexicans and visitors to the state have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to delve into the life during the presentation of Da Vinci—The Genius at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in Albuquerque from February 10 through July 29, 2018. Da Vinci—The Genius was created by Grande Exhibitions with the assistance of Museo Leonardo da Vinci – Rome, and many experts in Italy and France to provide a truly authentic experience. Leonardo lived from 1452 to 1519, and was born poor and illegitimate. These harsh realities in no way prevented
Leonardo’s endless curiosity, forcing him to make his own way in the world and educate himself. Blessed with insatiable curiosity and keen observational skills, he created extraordinarily beautiful artwork and hundreds of varied inventions. Hundreds of years before these inventions became commonplace, da Vinci designed a car, prototypes for manned flight, a bicycle, scuba gear— so many things that it was difficult to provide the full range of his interests within this 10,000-square-foot exhibition. “The Museum of Natural History and Science has not hosted an exhibition of this scope since the blockbuster Titanic exhibition,“ said Margie Marino, the Museum’s executive director. “There will be a $22 per person upcharge to view this world-class exhibition that we anticipate will draw visitors from all over the United States. It’s a compelling reason to plan a trip to Albuquerque in 2018 and to reserve a date to see this exhibition.” “While there is an upcharge on general admission, fees for class field trips to da Vinci are being kept at the same per student rate as general admission so as (continued on Page 30)
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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 others who were also 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. Just outside of Las Cruces, stop in for a glass of award-winning wine or pick up a fine vintage to take home at Rio Grande Winery. Owned and operated by Gordon Steel, Rio Grande Winery is a sweet oasis in the desert, with fine wine, events and a panoramic vista of the Mesilla Valley. 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 border-town Columbus. Check the 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. 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. Fort Bayard offers a glimpse at Civil War Life, and the spectacular Gila Cliff Dwellings, Gila National Monument and Gila Wilderness are indescribable and must be experienced. Travelers will enhance their experience by making time to drive the Trail of Mountain Spirits, a scenic 93-mile National Scenic Byway that winds around the southwest corner of New Mexico, back Gila, 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. 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 the region and the Trinity Site, where the first atomic bomb was tested 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 (continued on Page 29) travelnewmex.com | winter 2018
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What Sets New Mexico Apart as a Winter Wonderland?
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East to Cedar Crest Exit 175, North on NM Hwy 14 to the Crest Scenic Byway 536 then 6 miles. To get to the Tram: From I-40 Exit 167, Tramway Blvd. North approximately 9 miles to turn to Sandia Peak Tramway. From I-25: Exit 234 Tramway Blvd. Follow Tramway Road, East to the Sandia Peak Tramway. SKI SANTA FE Base 10,350 ft., Summit 12,075 ft., Vertical Drop 1725 ft. 83 runs: beginner 20%, intermediate 40%, advanced 35%, expert 5% Located in the Santa Fe National Forest 16 miles outside of the capitol city, Ski Santa Fe offers a breathtaking view and a wonderful range of terrain for skiers or snowboarders of all levels. Nearby, the nation’s oldest capitol city offers more than 200 restaurants, 300 galleries, art, culture, and living history. Historic Santa Fe Plaza is home to many museums, with still more on nearby Museum Hill. Public transportation is available from Santa Fe to the ski area for $5 each way, 866-2060743, or online at RidetheBlueBus.Ski Area: 505-982-4429, Snow Report at. Ski Santa Fe is located at the end of New Mexico State Highway 47. TAOS SKI VALLEY Base 9207 ft., Summit 12,481ft., Vertical Drop 3274 ft. 110 runs: beginner 24%, intermediate 25%, expert 51% This authentic alpine resort is located in Northern New Mexico’s Sangre De Cristo mountains. Featuring a new hotel and children’s center, the world-class resort grants access to 1,294 acres of skiable 24
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terrain providing trails for all ability levels, and is home to one of the country’s highest rated ski schools. Visitors are welcome at nearby Taos Pueblo – a World Heritage UNESCO Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. The Town of Taos offers many restaurants, shops and historic venues, including the home of frontiersman Kit Carson. Resort Info 800.776.1111, Snow Phone 844.828.5601. From Taos: North on US 64/Paseo Del Pueblo Norte to stoplight intersection of US 64/NM 522/NM 150. Turn right onto NM 150 through town of Arroyo Seco, continue NM 150 to the ski area parking lots. SKI APACHE Base 9600 ft., Summit 11,500, Vertical Drop 1900 ft. 55 runs: beginner 18%, intermediate 55%, advanced 27% Rising more than 12,000 feet above sea level in south central New Mexico Sierra Blanca Peak, home to Ski Apache, provides stunning views of the desert more than 7,000 feet below, including White Sands National Monument. New Mexico’s only Gondola and the highest elevation zip line and third longest zip line in the world! Ski Apache: 575-4643600, 800-545-9011. Owned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe, Ski Apache is located 18 miles northwest of Ruidoso and is easily accessed by car from Albuquerque (3 hours) or El Paso (2.5 hours). EXPLORE ANGEL FIRE RESORT Base 8600 ft., Summit 10,677 ft., Vertical Drop 2077 ft. 79 runs: beginner 21%, intermediate 56%, advanced 23% Host to the Shovel Racing World Championships and home of the Big Ol’ Texas Weekend, Angel Fire Resort accommodates skiers and riders of all (continued on next page)
What Sets New Mexico Apart as a Winter Wonderland? (continued from previous page)
ages and abilities. The mountain features an abundance of trails with terrain that spans over 560 acres and excellent tree skiing. The base village sits at 8,600 ft. and is host to multiple restaurants, ski rentals and ski schools. Phone: 800633-7463. From Albuquerque: I-25N to HWY599 towards HWY285 through Espanola. Merge onto HWY68 in Espanola, then take NM 585 and turn right onto HWY64. After the pass, turn right onto HWY434 as you enter Angel Fire. SIPAPU SKI RESORT Base 8200 ft., Summit 9254 ft., Vertical Drop 1055 ft. 42 runs: beginner 20%, intermediate 40%, advanced 30% expert 10% Family-owned and operated since 1952, Sipapu seems designed to please the family budget, from lodging to terrain. With an average snowfall of 190 inches, and a snowmaking system that covers 70 percent of Sipapu’s 200 acres, the terrain offers plenty of diversity.
At the heart of New Mexico beats the pulse of a vibrant city
VisitABQ.org
Phone: 575-587-2240. There are many paths to Sipapu, consult website for directions PAJARITO MOUNTAIN SKI AREA Base 9031 ft., Summit 10,441 ft., Vertical Drop 1410 ft. 45 runs: beginner 20%, intermediate 50%, advanced 30% expert 10% Located on the eastern slope of the Jemez Mountain Range above Los Alamos, Pajarito Mountain has more than 300 acres of skiable terrain, offering beautiful views of the Rio Grande Valley, small crowds, and sometimes great powder. Pajarito offers a high-quality snow sports school, a cafĂŠ dining option, rental services and retail facilities. Skiers and snowboarders are provided mountain access via a quad lift, triple, 3 doubles and one rope tow. Open Fridays to Sundays. Info (505) 662-5725. Pajarito Mountain Ski Area is located five miles west of Los Alamos, and is easy to get to from the east or west.
Las Vegas NM, Where Neighbors Stand Together
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industrious and ambitious, those who were most anxious and able to help themselves. In 2017 Las Vegas once again displayed that willingness to help itself by applying for and obtaining $150,000 of national MainStreet Program funding to help rebuild the E. Romero firehouse on Bridge St. The firehouse, which once was home to New Mexico’s first volunteer fire department, is being restored and converted into a museum. There were 25 communities competing for the MainStreet money, and Las Vegas’ firehouse project finished No. 6 in online voting, beating out projects in New York City, Atlanta, San Diego and Washington, D.C. “To place sixth in the country, that shows that if we band together, we can accomplish a lot,” says Stella Burciaga, president of the MainStreet de Las Vegas board of directors. Learn more at http:// mainstreetlvnm.org/ LAS VEGAS FIRST Another example of Las Vegans coming together to be all that they can be is Las Vegas First, an Independent Business Alliance (http://www.lvfiba.org/) The goals of the group are maintaining Las Vegas’ community character, supporting entrepreneurs, and preventing the displacement of community-based businesses. Below: A $10,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie helped build this library in Las Vegas, N.M. Carnegie wanted to help ambitious and industrious communities. Photo by Martin Frentzel.
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Andy Kingsbury, owner of Plaza Antiques, is the vice president of Las Vegas First. He says the group simply “tries to do whatever needs to be done.” That might be organizing a fund-raiser for three local soup kitchens. A dozen restaurants each donated gallons of soup, and Las Vegas First sold it for $5 a bowl, the money supporting the soup kitchens that feed Las Vegas’ hungry citizens. The alliance also assists the community through publishing the Las Vegas San Miguel County Visitors Guide, available on the alliance website, and publishing Joe Lordi’s largely pictorial book “Las Vegas.” Kingsbury says few communities have a similar publication with more than 950 grayscale images and 50 color pictures. It is 416 pages. The group’s “Cross the Bridge” initiative actually helps the alliance members as well as Las Vegas in general. “I describe it as putting your money where your house is,” Kinsgbury says. Shoppers who purchase items at local stores are invited to provide their receipts to alliance members, and Las Vegas First then has a monthly drawing for cash prizes. “Those receipts add up to about $250,000 in revenue,” Kingsbury says. Education, movie and television production, and outdoor recreation also play roles in the Las Vegas, N.M., economy, but the 13,000 citizens of Las Vegas prove time and again they don’t wait for others to solve their problems. They are indeed the ambitious and industrious people Andrew Carnegie hoped to assist more than a century ago.
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 in the cities of Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos, and the towns around them. Majestic mountains rise abruptly from great expanses of plains, falling off to wooded river valleys. This diverse terrain offers a cornucopia of outdoor activity options, including hiking, skiing, cycling and mountain biking. Just as varied as the terrain are the communities: Belen, Los Lunas, Albuquerque and Angel Fire, for example, provide a mix of everything from small town charm to bucolic serenity, bustling metropolitan life to 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 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 there are 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. If you like games of chance, then don’t pass up the chance to try your luck at Route 66 casino on I-25, west of Albuquerque. The casino floor features more than 1,300 slots in every denomination, 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 the Los Lunas Visitors Center, your source for information about the array of local events held year-round. While you’re at the Visitors Center, 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 shopping and dining options, offering 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 is home to world-class art galleries, museums, restaurants and 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 delicious local cuisine at any of 200 restaurants, or grab a bite from a food cart offering 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 and the Black Mesa Golf Course. The Santa Claran Hotel is beautiful, and the staff makes you feel at home and pampered. Black Mesa Golf offers a great challenge to duffers, and the Puye Cliff Dwellings are an immersive experience into the lives of the ancients. 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 town of Chama offers elk habitats, clean rivers, hunting, fishing, rafting, hiking and camping, and a must-see night (continued on Page 29) travelnewmex.com | winter 2018
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Creative Artists Turn Trash Into Art
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ottle caps, cheap silverware and deflated footballs are no more than that in the hands of someone without creative vision. But when handled by an artist, these objects can be reborn as birds, laughing lips, and arms and legs that come to life as if by magic. Across New Mexico and the country, artists are recycling waste, keeping trash out of landfills and discovering hidden beauty in found objects that lesser minds see only as junk. While it does not appear that any organization tracks the amount of Gilbert Candelaria builds wonderful ravens out of garbage that artists prevent from materials found at flea markets and yard sales. Photo by entering dumps, it is arguably Martin Frentzel significant. A cursory search online the adult (20 and older) competition turns up California structures built with her creation, Tired Raven, while entirely out of old doors. Denver hosts Santa Fe artist Gilbert Candelaria (www. PalletFest, an entire festival around junkaliciousart.com), a regular exhibitor pallet upcycle. But nothing beats what at the festival, won the 2017 juried adult happens in our own backyard. show. His larger-than-life hummingbirds The nation’s oldest and largest recycled and ravens are made from flatware, art market will celebrate its 20th chains, wrenches and other bits of metal anniversary in Santa Fe this year. With he scrounges at flea markets and yard approximately 100 artists from across sales. the country selling and exhibiting Adult and student artists compete their work, organizer Sarah Pierpont in the juried show, and thousands of says the Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival, items made from recycled cans, tools, set for Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2018, proves fabric, socks and license plates – every that recycling is creating economic imaginable thing – are sold directly opportunities as well as helping the to the public. Some artists even environment. demonstrate their craft during the show, The festival like recycling old sheets into rugs. Mikel Below: The Fashion Show is kicks off Friday always a highlight of the Robinson recycles felt cowboy hats, Recycle Santa Fe Art nights with a holes and all, by washing and blocking Festival, which celebrates its fashion show, them into new shapes. For more 20th anniversary in 2018. all the apparel information, visit www.recyclesantafe.org. Photo by Martin Frentzel. being made Candelaria and Albuquerque artist from recycled Kenny Chavez (www.kennychavez.com) materials. also sell their art at the Contemporary There were Hispanic Market, scheduled for the last nine entries in weekend of July on Santa Fe’s Plaza. both the adult In addition to being an artist, Chavez and youth and his husband, David Fisher, have divisions in the become recycled art market organizers 2017 show this past November and promoters, assisting the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division. The and seven Albuquerque Open Space Market is entries in each scheduled April 14-15, 2018 at the Open of two child Space Visitors Center, 6500 Coors NW. categories. Taos artist Sara The theme for this year’s fair is Stop Basehart won Illegal Dumping, a statewide problem. (continued on next page)
Creative Artists Turn Trash Into Art (continued from previous page)
In addition to live music, there will be a recycled garden hat contest. For more information, point your browser to https://www.facebook.com/ abqrecycledartfair/. Appreciation for recycled art can also be found in the southern part of the state. The Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market includes recycled artists as vendors Wednesdays and Saturdays year-round from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Street downtown.
Living by a scrapyard in Idaho provides artist Derk Klein with plenty of material to create metal garden flowers. Photo by Martin Frentzel.
North-Central New Mexico
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view of the Milky Way. Serious hikers can pick up the Continental Divide Trail not far from Chama. Chama’s train depot is the western terminus of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad offering daily steam excursions from Chama from Memorial
Day to mid-October. Chama hosts an annual 4th of July fireworks display and August parades, music, sports 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.
Southeastern New Mexico (continued from Page 23)
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, which are home to the villages of Cloudcroft and Ruidoso. There are gambling venues to be explored in Ruidoso Downs, 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, home to Carlsbad Caverns National Park where beneath the earth’s surface are 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 awesome sinkholes range to 90 feet deep.
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Planting the Seeds of Inspiration: Da Vinci—The Genius Comes to New Mexico (continued from Page 22)
many New Mexico students as possible can experience this transformative and inspiring exhibition,” said Marino. The Museum’s “Learn to Create” initiative brings da Vinci principles of genius to every teacher and student to explore what we can learn from the life and interests of da Vinci. It explores lessons in da Vinci’s multi-disciplinary approach, analytical observation, and power to use these processes to create.
Da Vinci—The Genius, from Grande Exhibitions: at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science February 10-July 29, 2018. 1801 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, (505) 841-2800, nmmnhs.info@ state.nm.us. Images(s): Da Vinci—The Genius; Grande Exhibitions photos: Courtesy of New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science.
Northeastern New Mexico (continued from Page 14)
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 oncebustling cattle town of yore 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 an opportunity to learn the New Mexico 30
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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, breathtaking 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. And don’t miss the National Rifle Association’s largest shooting range in the U.S.; NRA Whittington Center is located southwest of Raton.
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