It wouldn’t be summer without an old-fashioned trip along the Mother Road and the Route 66 Association of New Mexico aims to please with its first-ever New Mexico Route 66 Motor Tour July 23-25, 2010.

Up to 150 vehicles – auto, motorcycle, travel trailer or bicycle, classic to contemporary – will traverse the state from Tucumcari to Gallup. The tour is not a race; participants are free to stop whenever and wherever the mood strikes. Each community along the way will join in the festivities, be it a car show, sidewalk sale or barbecue cook-off, like the one planned between Moriarty and Edgewood.

“Our intent is to promote tourism by showcasing New Mexico’s segment of the Mother Road and the communities it passes through,” said Vickie Ashcraft, president of the Association. “This is a great way to see the scenery and meet the friendly people of our Route 66 communities. And you know it is something you’ve always wanted to do.”

The tour begins in Tucumcari July 23 with registration, then heads west on July 24, following the old Route 66 alignment. In Albuquerque, tour participants can take part in the annual Neon Cruise to Nob Hill where a section of Central will be closed off for “Route 66 Days and Nights.” There will be car shows, live music, vendors and entertainment. July 25, the tour again heads west to Gallup, where it concludes with Indian Dancers, prizes and awards.

“For more than 50 years, travelers got their first real look at New Mexico while traveling Route 66,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. “Even while New Mexicans look to the future, they keep their history alive and kicking with remembrances of Route 66, such as this year’s ‘Route 66 Motor Tour.’ The long weekend will have a little something for everyone – family entertainment at its down-home finest.”

The New Mexico Route 66 Association is dedicated to education, the preservation and promotion of historic Route 66 in New Mexico.

Visit www.rt66nm.org for registration forms and a brief itinerary; or contact Vickie Ashcraft, at the New Mexico Route 66 Association, 1415 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, or by calling 505-831-6317.

This past weekend marked the third straight year of meetings for the Landowner’s Associations of both the Spring Canyon Ranch and Ponderosa Views developments. Both developments offer thriving communities to their residents, whether part time or year round. Landowners: Now is a great time to look at that lot next to your and snap it up to protect your privacy and/or your views! Contact your sales representative today!

Not a landowner yet? Call us at 888-812-5830 to talk to one of our Ranch Representatives about owning your own piece of New Mexico ranch land—and enjoy a peaceful lifestyle far from the stress and strife of modern life!

Points of discussion for Spring Canyon Ranch included:

• Surge protection systems are available from Socorro Electric for your home and can be added to the monthly bill.
• New Mexico One Call wanted to remind all owners to make sure to call them before they dig for any construction.
• Spring Canyon owners would like an online site or blog to communicate with each other via the Internet—this has been set up with YahooGroups. You will receive an invitation to join the group and get connected!

Meanwhile, back at Ponderosa Views:

• Big news! The square footage in the CC & R’s will be reduced from the current 1200 square feet down to 800 square feet livable.
• It was mentioned some owners have Hughes Net for their high-speed Internet and phone service, plus Skype for videophone and it works great!

At the end of each meeting, participants enjoyed a fantastic lunch from Joe’s Real BBQ in Gilbert, Arizona.

See everybody next year!

If you are a member of either Association and would like more details, please contact Wendy Hough at 888-812-5830. Picture by Kelly Gatlin/La Luz Photography

Call 888-812-5830 for a private

tour

and save $2,000

on Ponderosa Views Lot 90!

(more images)

The only pops and booms you’ll hear from your cabin on this lot are the ones bursting in air during the yearly Fourth of July festivities. Otherwise, you’ll wake up to chirping birds, rustling squirrels and the occasional elk herd munching their way along your back yard.

This 13.2 acre lot has plenty to love:

• Power
• Gorgeous views
• A beautiful meadow
• Rock outcroppings

AND THE ICING ON THE ALREADY SCRUMPTIOUS CAKE:

• A well that’s already drilled and cased, which, as we all know, saves you precious time and even more precious money. This is a package deal, where we’ll take care of financing not just your land, but also the cost of your well!

We also have a great selection of

FORECLOSURE LOTS!

• IS25 – 10.24 acres with views, electric and phone for only $26,995

• MV17 – 12.59 acres cul-de-sac, views and electric for $19,995

•IS81 – 11.47 acres with electric, phone and hilltop views for $24,995

And more…

New Mexico Gov.  Bill Richardson has announced that $4.5 million in federal stimulus funding is now available to 15 school districts for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems. The projects will create jobs, he said, and allow schools to invest in energy-saving technology.

The Carrizozo Cowboy Days Ranch Rodeo, starts at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 12, at the Hemphill Arena, 1/4 mile south of Carrizozo on Highway 54. Concessions are by the Najars, and beverages will be served by the junior class of Carrizozo High School.

There will be five teams competing with five cowboys or cowgirls per team. Bleachers are available or bring a chair and sit up next to the fence. Admission is $5 per carload. The announcer will be Scott Shafer and the arena director will be Matt Ferguson. Don’t miss a fun time with some old-fashioned cowboying! Start to practice for next year on your own piece of New Mexico land for sale—just give us a call!

Hot sun and dust are free!

The New Mexico Department of Tourism has embarked upon a bold and progressive Ecotourism Initiative, one that offers a huge opportunity for New Mexico in the fastest growing segment in worldwide tourism today.

At the heart of this Initiative is a tourism objective that wholly supports the growth and economic vitality of sustainable ecotourism enterprises throughout the State while maintaining the delicate balance between the modern world and traditional cultural values. As a result, they will be increasing tourism, creating local employment, revitalizing rural communities, and ultimately protecting these areas for future generations. It will also build on the equity and add further dimension to their on-going “Land of Enchantment” positioning

With her recent arrival back in the States after a whirlwind tour of the top International Travel Trade Shows it’s official. The New Mexico Tourism Department’s Ecotourism Initiative is rolling! Deputy Secretary Jennifer Hobson was blown away by the receptivity to the program at the shows in London, Frankfurt, Tokyo and Marrakesh. “New Mexico is primed to be a world-class Ecotourism destination. What is essentially New Mexican is perfectly aligned with what travelers from all over the world are looking for: wild and scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage where hands on experiences can be realized. The launch of this program to overseas media only further confirmed the popularity and desire for America’s first statewide Ecotourism initiative.”