NEW MEXICO: THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT
BY CLAY
LARROY
It
doesn't matter if you take a trip across the state line or the border, being
far from home can be exciting and also a bit stressful. When considering
traveling, it is important to think of the best mode of travel. Traveling by car can offer
many more sights and opportunities for side trips. Traveling by train can offer
a chance to relax and get some work done if they wanted. Planes can cover
ground fast but don't allow much movement and one cannot get off the plane in
flight. Each mode of travel has its own advantages and disadvantages to be
considered. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!
New Mexico Travel Guide
Sensational sunsets, expansive deserts and wide-open plains;
imposing mountain ranges, lush forests and gargantuan caverns; historic cities
and a reputation for the extraterrestrial: welcome to New Mexico.
Nicknamed "the land
of enchantment," the state somehow manages to live up to that lofty
billing with its spectacular topography and fascinating heritage. The Pueblo
and Navajo Native American cultures are very much alive and well here, and a
strong Hispanic lineage also helps determine its distinctive character.
New Mexico's historic
national parks include the equally overwhelming and enchanting Carlsbad Caverns
(where you can watch Mexican free-tailed bats emerge at sunset), the beguiling
beauty of White Sands, the awe-inspiring sight of Shiprock Mountain in Navajo
country, and the striking cliff dwellings and Pueblo settlements of Bandelier
National Monument.
The state's largest city,
Albuquerque, is a colorful metropolis made famous by the hit television series,
Breaking Bad. A hip city with a vibrant arts and music scene, the city's
charming Old Town and bountiful cultural attractions, coupled with its
attractive setting on the Rio Grande, make it a popular destination.
Santa Fe, with its earthy
adobe architecture, is the USA's oldest state capital, known for its
sophisticated artistic community. You can catch a glimpse of the oldest church
in the country, procure local art and Navajo weavings at Indian markets, or
merely take in the city's pleasant ambiance.
In the southeastern
quarter of the state lies Roswell, a relatively unexceptional city until 1947
when a UFO reportedly crashed nearby. To this day visitors flock to this corner
of New Mexico to imbibe the extraterrestrial ambiance and walk around a museum
dedicated to the infamous incident.
Things
to see and do in New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns
Descend 250m (830ft) into
the Carlsbad Caverns down a steep, slippery path, and explore the many chambers
and passages. Over 300 known caves have been discovered since the world-famous
caverns were explored in 1922 (www.nps.gov/cave).
Cliff's Amusement Park
Launch high into the air
above Albuquerque on wild thrill rides at Cliff's Amusement Park (www.cliffs.net).
Coronado State Monument
Explore history at the
Coronado State Monument (www.nmmonuments.org), where Spanish explorer
Coronado and his men stayed while searching for the seven cities of gold.
Hot air balloon
Take off in a hot air
balloon in clear blue skies and mild temperatures, then tour the Albuquerque
International Balloon Museum. The world's largest hot air balloon festival
takes place in Albuquerque every October, when over 700 colorful hot air
balloons fill the skies (www.cabq.gov/balloon).
Indian Pueblo Cultural
Center
Visit the Indian Pueblo
Cultural Center (www.indianpueblo.org), tracing the history of the
state's 19 Native American Pueblos. See exhibits featuring contemporary works
by pueblo artists and catch seasonal performances of traditional dances.
Museum of New Mexico
Explore Santa Fe's Museum
of New Mexico (www.museumofnewmexico.org) and the Wheelwright
Museum of the American Indian (www.wheelwright.org),
which display jewelry, weavings, pottery and paintings of Native American
cultures.
Navajo
Visit the largest Indian
reservation in the United States, now home for the Navajo. The Navajo are noted
for their beautiful silver and turquoise jewelry, sand paintings and other
crafts (www.discovernavajo.com).
REFERENCE SITES:
The thing about America - it's
different everywhere, but visually, it's amazing to shoot in the desert in the
New Mexico light. It's really hard to shoot in that desert and make anything
look not amazing.
Lenny Abrahamson
Travel to create
marvelous memories for you and your family or friends!
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