New Mexico Road Trip

If you’re looking for anyone at home in Texas this weekend, forget it. They’re all in Ruidoso, Cloudcroft, or at the Inn of the Mountain Gods in the Sierra Blanca Mountains of New Mexico.

Every little New Mexico town has a funky but authentic bar and grill with lots of character — an old, often historic bar; somewhat rickety tables and chairs; pool tables; lots of taxidermy; some bikers as customers; etc. There’s the Owl Bar and Cafe in San Antonio, The Outpost in Carrizozo, Los Ojos in Jemez Springs, the Mine Shaft in Madrid, and so on. You think this could actually be some sort of chain-franchise deal?

White Sands National Monument is one of the best places in the world. Why? The beautiful white gypsum sand dunes? The amazing vegetation that seemingly survives without water and soil? The spacious skies and distant mountain views? The stunning sunsets? No. It’s because you can go sledding and not get cold and wet. Scores of children of all ages were riding down the slopes — in 80-degree weather.

White Sands is one of New Mexico’s greatest attractions. If you’ve never been, go soon — though best when the weather is moderate. I recommend arriving before sunset for the best light, then returning the next morning before the sun is too high. Be sure to take a hike — the mile long Dune Life Nature Trail was excellent. (Click image for larger version. That’s not snow you see plowed along the edge of the road — it’s sand.)

Visiting Smokey Bear’s gravesite in Capitan is a little freaky. Why did I feel I had to be so quiet and respectful — he was just a bear. (Click image for larger version.)

And, seemingly some things never change. The not-to-be-missed Lincoln State Monument in — duh — Lincoln, New Mexico, tells the story of the famed Lincoln County War. President Hayes referred to Lincoln’s main street (now Highway 380) as “the most dangerous street in America.” I had never given this part of New Mexico history much thought, though I had the outline in mind — two factions, Billy the Kid, and so on. I just guessed the fighting erupted over land or sheep vs. cattle like it did in so many places. Nope. It was over government contracts.  

The short film at the Lincoln SM visitor center gives short shrift to the Mexican settlers who founded the community.  Worse, the film is downright disrespectful to the American Indians in the area, past and present.  The film needs to be redone.