New Mexico – The Land of Enchantment
According to the New Mexico Magazine’s Vacation Guide, “New Mexico is a timeless land of ancient cultural traditions and striking environmental diversity. For thousands of years, man has traveled through this Land of Enchantment leaving footprints to a rich and colorful past.
Explorer Vasquez de Coronado trekked through New Mexico in 1540. In search of treasure, and convinced that the adobe pueblos were the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola, Coronado had orders to conquer the Indians and claim their riches. Failing to find the fabled gold, however, he and his men returned to New Spain without any newly won wealth.
Don Juan de Oñate made the first successful exploration of Mexico del Norte's wilderness. In 1598, he marched up the Rio Grande claiming land for Spain, accompanied by troops, colonists and cattle.
Santa Fe was founded as the capital in 1609 by New Mexico's third governor, Don Pedro de Peralta. For the next 70 years the Spanish pushed on with sword and cross, building missions and converting Indians to Catholicism.
The first church in North America was constructed in 1598 at San Juan Pueblo, 30 miles north of Santa Fe. Within the first quarter of the 17th century, 50 churches had been built in New Mexico. These churches, which predate the great missions along the coast of California by a century and a half, are beautiful examples of Spanish Colonial architecture and provide a glimpse of the earliest history of American culture.
New Mexico remained under Spanish rule for another 125 years until 1821 when Mexico won its independence from Spain. Soon after, another passage in New Mexico history was born, the Santa Fe Trail. Running from Missouri to Santa Fe, the trail opened trade with the U.S. and brought new lifestyles, money and settlers to New Mexico.
The United States declared war on Mexico in 1846. Shortly thereafter, U.S. General Stephen Watts Kearny maneuvered his troops down the Santa Fe Trail and declared New Mexico an American territory.
In the late 1880s, railroad companies laid their tracks across New Mexico, bringing with them improved commerce and access to new markets. The beef industry boomed, and cattle barons like John Chisum trailed longhorns in from Texas, creating vast cattle kingdoms on the southeastern plains.
Chisum was also associated with events leading to the Lincoln County War, a bloody merchant conflict that sparked the brief outlaw career of Billy the Kid and involved even territorial Gov. Lew Wallace, author of the novel Ben Hur.
Although New Mexico was colonized nearly 25 years before the Pilgrims' arrival at Plymouth Rock, it did not achieve statehood until Jan. 6, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 47th state. Since that time, New Mexico has experienced a whirlwind of growth and change.
In the decades between 1940 and 1980, New Mexico's population tripled. The state now boasts more than a million and a half inhabitants, a third of whom live in Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city.
Today, New Mexico continues to lure people with its clear skies and abundance of sunshine. The limitless landscapes encourage people both to retrace the paths of New Mexico's rich heritage and to leave their own footprints on the pages of the state's rich history.”
Socorro, New Mexico
Socorro, New Mexico, is just over an hour south of Albuquerque. Located in the central Rio Grande valley, 76 miles south of Albuquerque and 194 miles north of El Paso, this little charmer is home to more than 9,000 people, ranging from young families to retired couples. The town and the surrounding countryside offer a wealth of outdoors activities to engage hikers, mountain bikers and nature enthusiasts, to geologists, rock hounds and photographers.
Residents embrace quality of life and a strong sense of community while enjoying a lower than average cost of living. Quaint and inviting tree-lined streets add to Socorro’s country-style appeal. The Socorro Historical Society has many sites listed in a directory that includes the downtown plaza, the Spanish Mission, the Garcia Opera House, the Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Depot and many more buildings and houses.
For nature lovers of all kinds, one of the most spectacular wildlife refuges in North America is located not far from town. The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is a remarkable avian oasis in this semi-arid land of central New Mexico. Tens of thousands of birds (including sandhill cranes, Arctic geese, and scores of duck species) gather each Fall to make Socorro home through the winter months.
Socorro also boasts the New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology. New Mexico Tech is one of the country’s leading research universities focusing on hydrology, astrophysics, atmospheric physics, and other major science and engineering disciplines. Naturally, the university offers a variety of cultural and performing arts activities, not only for the student but for the local community as well.
Located less than an hour from this college town is one of the world’s premiere astronomical outposts. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory consists of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration, called the Very Large Array (the VLA was featured in the Jodie Foster film, Contact).
Quemado, Datil and Pie Town, New Mexico
In the heart of New Mexico’s ranching country lie the towns of Datil, Pie Town and Quemado. A day’s ride apart atop a covered wagon or on the back of a lively paint, these small ranching towns dot U.S. Highway 60 in the central western edge of the state. Ranching is a mainstay and the heart and soul of the American west are alive and well.
The Datil Mountains dominate the scenery where the wildlife far out number the population of people in the area. The town of Datil sits at 7,500 feet above sea level. The landscape of semi-arid bush and grasses are punctuated with juniper and piñon trees where temperatures vary from freezing to about 70 degrees. The weather is close to perfect with a whopping 350 days of sunshine a year.
Elk, deer, bear and wild turkey hunting are popular during the autumn and winter months. Other outdoor recreational activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and camping.
Located on the Continental Divide 22 miles west of Datil, Pie Town is proud of its 55 inhabitants. During the early days of the automobile, Pie Town’s only gas station and café began selling pies to travelers along Highway 60 thus earning its name. Each year on the second Saturday in September, the Pie Town Pie Festival attracts more than a thousand visitors for hot air balloons, pie-eating contests, music, arts and crafts, a pie-baking contest, and an old-fashioned western barbeque.
Pushing a bit further west along Route 60, the town of Quemado is nestled at an elevation of 6,970 feet. Quemado, named for the Spanish word for "burned." When Jose Antonio Padilla settled by a creek east of the present town in 1880, he found that the surrounding brush had been burned by the Indians, so he named it Rito Quemado. This town is now the primary service center for the ranchers and town residents in the area with a population of about 250 folks. Just south of the Apache National Forest lies Quemado Lake, a popular destination for trout fisherman, campers and hikers.
Ruidoso, New Mexico
Located three hours south of Albuquerque, Ruidoso is an alluring mountain resort situated nearly 7,000 feet above sea level. The village-turned-city got its name from the Rio Ruidoso – Spanish for "Noisy River" – a small stream that still weaves through the city. With a population approaching 10,000, this thriving community is experiencing explosive growth. Massive investment is being poured into major projects that include large housing subdivisions, condos, and retail establishments, altering the face of the once "sleepy mountain community." Nonetheless, tourism is booming with visitors in full force from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Ruidoso lies in the rugged Sierra Blanca mountain range of south central New Mexico, where it merges with the Sacramento Mountains to the south. Ruidoso rapid growth can be attributed to the region's alpine scenery, Ruidoso Downs racetrack, and slopes of Ski Apache, the Mescalero Apache Indian owned ski resort on the 12,000 foot Sierra Blanca. The tribe also operates the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort in the area, which includes a casino, hotel, and golf course.
Ruidoso also boasts a world-class performing arts center, the Spencer Theater, a museum (affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC), and outdoor activities for everyone that includes skiing, hiking, biking, fishing, and golfing. A number of special events round out the offerings including the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium, the nation’s premier cowboy gathering held every October. This event has been named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association.
In September, over 35,000 motorcycle enthusiasts roll into town for the Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally. Other annual events like the Mountain of Blues Festival, Smokey Bear Stampede, Mescalero Tribal Dances & Rodeo, Ruidoso Art Festival, Aspenfest, Oktoberfest and Festival of Lights offer visitors the chance to experience the history and magic of Lincoln County.
www.ruidosonow.com
Official Website of the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Discover all Ruidoso has to offer!
www.innofthemountaingods.com
Nestled among tall pine trees under the majestic Sierra Blanca Peak is the impressive Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort Championship Golf Course. ... Inn of the Mountain Gods, southern New Mexico’s newest Resort and Casino is a magnificent new hotel with 273 luxury rooms.
www.skiapache.com
This is the comprehensive guide to Ski Apache ski resort, New Mexico's premier ski and snowboard area.
www.ruidosodownsracing.com
Fast horses and hot slots are the name of the game at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino. The first race at Ruidoso Downs Race Track was run in 1947, then in 1999, a new era of racing in New Mexico began with the legalization of slot machine casinos at race tracks. The Billy the Kid Casino opened in May of 1999 and houses over 300 slot machines. The casino is open daily and, in 2006, paid out over $100 million in winnings. Racing in the mountains takes place annually from Memorial Day to Labor Day, culminating with the $2 million All American Futurity.
Carrizozo, New Mexico
The delightful town of Carrizozo has often been described as the “Crossroads of New Mexico.” One reason is its south central location in historic Lincoln County, but primarily for its key role in the growth of railroads in the Old West. Life in Carrizozo started at the turn of the 20th century as a crossroads of the north-south El Paso & Northeastern Line and the east-west Rock Island Line. These roots as a railroad terminal and trading center contribute much to its rich history and architectural diversity. Much of the history and culture remain today, making sure all the character of the west lives on.
Carrizozo is derived from the Spanish word Carrizo, a “reed-like grass.” The extra “zo” was added to the town’s moniker for the abundance of grass in the area. Though in close proximity to the Lincoln National Forest (less than an hour away), Carrizozo is considered high desert at an elevation of 5,425 feet with a moderate, yet distinctively, seasonal climate year-round.
For those with a penchant for small town charm and the accessibility of the wilderness areas, Carrizozo is ideal. The pace here is relaxed and friendly and the townspeople always welcome visitors with a “howdy” and a smile. The nearby Sacramento Mountain range at the northern most edge of the Tularosa Basin is thick with pine and wildlife. There is a growing art community in Carrizozo for the culturally-inclined. For the explorer, the fascinating Valley of Fires lava flow, Three Rivers Petroglyph site, the gold-mining ghost town of White Oaks, and the natural attractions of the Lincoln National Forest and Wilderness areas are memorable visits. For the sports enthusiasts, there is the typical skiing, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and other activities in which to partake.
