New Mexico is both a very very old land and a new state: as I’ve said before “It’s not New, and it’s not Mexico.” Some families with long standing arrived around 1909. it makes Australia feel positively old – yet, there’s something ancient about the landscape and the pueblo culture. Moving to New Mexico with the AirForce isn’t necessarily considered a plum gig (I mean compare it to oceanside or city bases and it does seem rough) but you need to roll with the punches and make the most of wherever you end up – this is the life!
One of the ways I find joy in every place is to explore, and to be adventurous. Here’s a little list and a map of places we’ve already visited and are hoping to visit this summer. [loving this new embed feature on google maps engine btw!]
The list in the map above is very long — but here are some of the highlights for me and the things we’re aiming to knock out this summer!
- The art scene in Ruidoso!
- Skiing in New Mexico
- Learning Spanish, at least a little
- The old town of Albuquerque
- More of the art galleries of Santa Fe.
- Taos and northern New Mexico.
- Durango and the heritage train.
- Taking a dip in the Ojo mineral springs
- Attempting to make our own corn tortillas.
- visiting a drive in movie theatre
- establishing a xeriscaped, low water use garden.
- Touring a local dairy.
- Driving a section of route 66.
- Visit the Norman & Di Petty Museum
- Cadillac Ranch, near Amarillo.
- Running on the white sands near Almagordo (Southern NM).
- Touring the monastery where monks make beer near Santa Fe.
- The intersection of the old and new route 66 in downtown Albuquerque (Central Ave and 4th Street)
- Take the railroad in chama.
- Go to the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque.
- Horse back rising in the Sandre del christos, Colorado.
- Visit Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe (and see its special staircase)
- Horseback ride or hike in Palo dura Canyon
- Visit to Carlsbad Caverns
- Picnic with friends on the cliffs before going to the Santa Fe Opera.
- Visit Cimarron for a dose of New Mexican Cowboy culture
- Visit the French vigneron family, the Gruet’s, winery in Albuquerque.
- Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos
- Visit Taos Pueblo
I’ve included multiples of the ski fields and the drive in movie theatres.
Do you have any other suggestions for us?
copyright 2014: Anna Blanch Rabe
Please ask for permission before using these photos or text in any medium.
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Listening. Observing. Participating. Writing. Photographing. Reflecting.
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Anna Blanch Rabe is an Australian-born writer and photographer. You can follow her adventure on Not A Pedestrian Life, or Facebook.
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The museum in Santa Fe is interesting. We learned stuff we’d never heard about.
Thanks! I have it on the map i think and i’ll add it to the list. we were hoping to visit last year, but it was closed on a monday. It has some incredible art on the outside alone!