Category: Albuquerque & New Mexico

Monsoons — not yet

It’s 92º and 9% humidity right now. I’m sitting with the door open and no cooling on and am perfectly comfortable. There is a ceiling fan turning slowly — and a breeze as there’s a thunderstorm in the mountains nearby, though not near enough to send the humidity up.

I love New Mexico.

The monsoon season hasn’t started yet though. The dew point is still in the 40s or lower. It needs to average 55 for three consecutive days before it’s deemed monsoon season. (The federales have decided the monsoon season is always to be June 15 – September 30 no matter the weather. But they think Washington’s Birthday is the third Monday in February too, so who cares what they say.)

Monsoon comes from the Arabic term for season or wind shift.

Both the Southwest USA, including Arizona and New Mexico, and Southeast Asia, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, experience the monsoon each summer. The Asian monsoon often brings heavy, flooding rains to the area, while the Southwest monsoon brings scattered strong thunderstorms to dry desert regions. The Southwest monsoon is caused by two meteorological changes during the summer:Monsoon August 2006

–The northerly movement of the Bermuda High (a strong area of high pressure) into the central USA
–Intense heating of the Mohave Desert to the west, which creates low pressure over the area

Since air rotates counterclockwise around low pressure and clockwise around high pressure, the positioning of these systems allows for a strong southerly flow over the Southwest. (Prevailing winds in the winter are from the west and northwest …) These south winds bring in moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean, increasing the chance of rain and thunderstorms.

The Weather Guys – USATODAY.com

Diagram is from August 2006, but it shows clearly how the monsoon draws humid air up from the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. Click the image for larger version.

Update: In the spirit of full disclosure, the breeze stopped and I turned the cooler on.

Overlooked attractions in the West

The L.A. Times suggests “the West is also an expanse of weirdness and wonder, boasting bizarre and purely sublime enticements, both natural and man-made. So, if you find some sojourning time this summer, consider these hidden (or at least, often-overlooked) gems.”

Other states are mentioned, but here’s the New Mexico places:

Chetro Ketl, Chaco Canyon: This pueblo is one of the largest Anasazi “Great Houses” in Chaco Canyon. It was built about 945 and abandoned around 1120. The Ketl, with more than 500 rooms and 12 kivas, is a favorite haunt for nature lovers and has a popular Petroglyph Trail, which takes visitors past ancient native rock art. Info: www.colorado.edu/Conferences/chaco/tour/ketl.htm. Seven-day pass: $8 for vehicle, $4 per individual.

Ten Thousand Waves, Santa Fe: This vertical oasis, off the path for many tourists, is a meditative, wood-and-rock-terraced compound with pagodas and tatami rooms. It is patterned after a Japanese onsen, or public hot springs baths. Take a hot outdoor bath (private, communal, women’s or men’s), then snooze during a shiatsu-do (finger pressure) massage. $144 for 75 minutes; regular massage $94 for 55 minutes. Reservations: (505) 982-9304, www.tenthousandwaves.com.

Bonus encounter: In the far northwest part of the state, Shiprock, an 1,800-foot tall aptly named formation, is visible for miles, sailing the high plains like a volcanic-rock clipper ship. Look, but don’t climb. It’s sacred Navajo turf. www.lapahie.com/Shiprock_Peak.cfm.

The pains of statehood

If Zachary Taylor hadn’t gotten gastroenteritis, New Mexico could have become a state 62 years sooner.

On June 20, 1850, New Mexicans ratified a free-state constitution by a vote of 8,371 to 39.

Taylor immediately called for New Mexico’s admission along with California’s; southern outrage flared to new heights; and the state of Texas vowed to secure its claims to all of New Mexico east of the Rio Grande, by force if necessary. Taylor ordered the federal garrison at Santa Fe to prepare for combat. By early July, it looked as if civil war might break out, pitting the United States against southern volunteers determined to secure greater Texas for slavery. (The Rise of American Democracy)

Taylor died July 9. Fillmore became president and defused the situation by laying aside New Mexico’s application for statehood.

The resolution came as part of the Compromise of 1850. The boundaries of Texas were established as we know them (poor surveying and a meandering Rio Grande notwithstanding). In return, Texas received $10 million in compensation applied toward its debt (worth about $200 million today). The bill also established the territories of New Mexico (which included present-day Arizona) and Utah (which included present-day Nevada and western Colorado). The issue of slavery in those territories was ignored — for then.

No one cares but me

But Saturday afternoon the humidity dropped to 4% at Casa NewMexiKen.

When I was a kid and we first moved to Tucson and didn’t have a clothes dryer, on a day like today you could hang the clothes on the line and by the time you finished with the basket you could take them down.

For the record, the temperature in Tucson today at noon is 104º and the humidity a downright sodden 7%.

Electoral Enchantment

Urban and wild define the New West — fast-growing cities nestled in Wallace Stegner’s “geography of hope.” The art, the history and the food of New Mexico have been commoditized, for obvious reasons. But many of its special places are intact, and owned by every American because of the Wilderness Act, which dates to the fertile years of Stewart Udall’s reign as the emperor of the outdoors.

Mark Udall has climbed every one of Colorado’s 54 peaks over 14,000 feet (and has come within 3,000 feet of the summit of Everest). Tom Udall is the driving force behind legislation that saved the spectacular Valle Vidal in northern New Mexico from the predations of Dick Cheney and his allies.

From a longer piece by Timothy Egan on the Udalls and Democrats in the Southwest. Egan is one of the very best contemporary writers on the West anything.

Bears watching

NewMexiKen’s homeowners’ association newsletter arrived today complete with a Security Alert:

“There have been an increasing number of bear sightings from the Tram and the animals are getting lower and lower down [the mountains] …

“Security advises folks to use caution when out walking or exercising early mornings and in the evenings …”

New Mexico, how do I love thee, let me count the ways.

Heather

NewMexiKen’s very own congress critter, Heather Wilson, lost the primary yesterday for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. The far more conservative candidate won, Rep. Steve Pearce. He gets the opportunity to lose in November to the third of our state’s three representatives, Democrat Tom Udall.

My question: What do you think are the chances Heather will stay in New Mexico now that her political career is over?

Cody Unser drives fast

Not even paralysis can black-flag those racing Unsers.

Cody Unser, 21, a paraplegic since contracting a rare degenerative spinal-cord disease nine years ago, gets around in a car equipped with special hand controls in much the same fashion her father Al Jr., grandfather Al and great-uncle Bobby did in winning the Indianapolis 500 nine times. As in: fast.

“I always tell the officer when he pulls me over that it’s in my blood,” she told the Indianapolis Star. “The only difference is, I don’t have a lead foot. I have a lead hand.”

Sideline Chatter

The Unsers are royalty in Albuquerque.

“New Mexico is proud to honor a family which has served as such great ambassadors. In racing the name Unser is synonymous with Albuquerque and New Mexico.” — Governor Bill Richardson

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 SandsWhite 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.)

Smokey Bear GraveVisiting 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.

Raindrops on Roses, Whiskers on Kittens

Local congressional candidate Martin Heinrich finds time two weeks before the primary to list his Ten Favorite Things About Albuquerque.

8. Eating chile-laden breakfast, on the patio at Las Mananitas in the spring when the cottonwoods are greening.

7. The Ta Lin Market, the South Valley Dia de Los Muertos parade, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and all the diverse communities that make up Albuquerque

4. The fact that a pair of boots and a bolo tie is considered formal-wear.

(My friend Donna and I have a running discussion about whether there are one or two restaurants in Albuquerque where blue jeans (or shorts) might not be de rigueur.)

But Martin, why then the rush to go to Washington to live? Trust me, if you don’t have any Sweeties near there like I do, it’s not all that great.

Today in New Mexico History

New Mexico Magazine has this item for May 19th. It took place in 1893.

Clandestine leader Vicente Silva kills his wife north of Las Vegas and hires five henchmen to dispose of her body. Dissatisfied with the paltry $10 payment each, they also rob and kill Silva. Two years pass until the Silva deaths are known. Silva ran a prosperous business by day and at night he was the leader of a feared outlaw gang.

The wages of sin were a little low I guess.

It’s Still the Wild West

A 5-year-old Albuquerque boy hiking with his family near Sandia Peak has survived an attack from an unidentified large animal.

Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White said the family was hiking on a trail near the popular Balsam Glade area on the east side of the Sandia Mountains on Saturday evening when the boy ran ahead of his parents, who said they heard a scream.

The boy’s parents, Jose and Charlotte Salazar, then saw the animal emerge from the brush and start dragging away their child.

The father gave chase, and tried to jump on the animal’s back, and it let go of the child, identified in a sheriff’s department report as Jose Salazar Jr. The animal fled.

A University of New Mexico Hospital spokeswoman said Monday the parents did not want the boy’s condition disclosed. The boy, who suffered puncture wounds to his head, neck and back, was in serious condition Saturday at University of New Mexico Hospital, White said.

White said Sunday the animal was a mountain lion, but Ross Morgan, a spokesman for the state Department of Game and Fish, said dogs trained to track mountain lions picked up no scent in the area Saturday night or Sunday.

Las Cruces Sun-News

Rain!

Albuquerque had measurable precipitation overnight — the first in five weeks. Nice to have the dust dampened down. Our spring winds have been strong, dust-filled and have lasted way too far into May.

I hate it when the clouds cover the mountains, though. Where’d my Sandias go?

The Civil War in New Mexico

Today and tomorrow from 10-4, New Mexico has its very own Civil War reenactments.

“Military drills, skirmishes and cannon fire will highlight two action-filled days, including reenactments of the battles of Glorieta Pass and Apache Canyon fought near Santa Fe during the War Between the States. Visit Confederate and Union camps, and more!”

And tonight only:

“To enhance your daytime experience at the ranch, you will have a unique opportunity to come back on Saturday evening to participate in a candlelight tour that will take you back to the days of the Civil War in the New Mexico! You will view several ‘vignettes,’ depicting everyday life of soldiers and civilians in 1862. Tours will be given by New Mexico Civil War Congress and the Friends of Fort Selden. After the tour, you will have an opportunity to chat with re-enactors by the campfire, while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies!”

Every 20 minutes, starting at 8 p.m., no charge, reservations required.

El Rancho de las Golondrinas

Why we like red or green

NewMexiKen found this in a 1992 New Yorker article about chiles and New Mexican cuisine.

According to scientists who have studied the effects of fiery food, a very hot chili sends the nervous system into a state of panic, and the brain reacts by flooding the distressed nerve endings with endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers—a sort of friendly morphine. The sudden shot of endorphins is what transforms the pang of hot food into pleasure, and also what makes it considerably more tolerable after the first few bites.

The article, by Jane and Michael Stern, is not available online.

What’s the State of Your Air?

“Two of every five people—42 percent—in the U.S. live in counties that have unhealthful levels of either ozone or particle pollution. Almost 125 million Americans live in 216 counties where they are exposed to unhealthful levels of air pollution in the form of either ozone or short-term or year-round levels of particles.”

The American Lung Association grades your air quality.

Albuquerque does well — but not today, when there is enough dust in the air to endanger Lawrence of Arabia.