Checking off another state in the United States, we went to New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, in April of 2022. We went with three other couples (relatives), two of them were in trailers, like us. The other stayed at a hotel nearby. Our main focus was National Parks. I will say that this was not a fun way to travel. When we go by ourselves, I plan out our agenda. Going with others means we go with other people’s plans. We did try to get off by ourselves and visit a few places I had on my list.
We were traveling in our trailer, so we ended up camping in one spot in Santa Fe. The Trailer Ranch RV Resort, 3471 Cerrillos Rd, in Santa Fe, doesn’t really look like much from the exterior, but it was a great place to stay. It was quiet, and the staff was very pleasant and helpful.
Fast Facts
- New Mexico is the only state that says “USA” on its vehicle license plates because a large number of people seem to think it’s part of the country of Mexico.
- The tramway at Sandia Peak is the longest tramway in the United States. It is 2.7 miles.
- The International Balloon Festival is the first week of October in Albuquerque.
- New Mexico’s flag is red and yellow, representing Spain, which had ruled New Mexico until the early 19th Century. In the center is “Zia,” the ancient sun symbol. There are 4 sets of 4 rays coming out of each side of the sun. The four sets of rays represent 4 gifts belonging to 4 different groups. The groups are Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Directions: North, South, East, and West. Day: Sunrise, Noon, Evening, and Night. Life: Childhood, Youth, Middle Years, and Old Age.
- New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment.
- The Navajo Nation has its own flag for the native American-governed nation located in Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Albuquerque
The Shop – A Christmas Store was a place I insisted on seeing. When buying souvenirs, I like to buy something to hang on my Christmas tree. I don’t always remember to look for an ornament, but I did this time. I purchased a nativity ornament made by a local artist. The store is located at 116 E. Place Ave. It is one of the oldest year-round Christmas stores in the US. 2022 was their 45th year in business. They have a wide variety of ornaments, nativities, Santas, and decorations.
San Felipe de Neri Church. This historic Catholic church was built in 1793. It is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Albuquerque. It is located in Old Town at 2005 N. Plaza St. NW. (around the corner from The Shop – A Christmas Store.) It dates back to the Spanish colonial period. Because it has been in continuous use for over 200 years, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties. There is a shop and a small museum with items dating back to the 17th century. Behind the church is a snarled tree with a statue inside that some people say depicts the Virgin Mary.
American International Rattlesnake Museum was something I had on my list, but in the end, I was thinking it was more for the rest of the group since I’m not a fan of live snakes. But Phil and I both went, and I will admit they had a humungous amount of live snakes. There were a wide variety of colors, and most of them looked scary to me, even though they were in glass aquariums.
Meals: We had lunch at Old Town Pizza Parlor, at 108 Rio Grande Blvd. This was in the same area as the three places above. It was a nice change from New Mexican food. They carried a large selection of food, including pizza, soup, salads, pasta dishes, and subs. The location of the pizza parlor is the owner, Michael Tafoya’s, cozy 150-year-old family’s adobe hacienda. It was a very nice change of pace, and the house is a great place to take a break and soak in the ambiance. Out front, they had several boards with messages that added to the homey feeling. They included: “Today’s offer Buy Any 2 pizzas and pay for both” and “We survived a global pandemic, we will survive your crappy yelp review.” We really had a nice experience here, and they were able to accommodate our party of eight easily.
ABQ Bio Park Botanical Garden and Aquarium Address: 2601 Central Ave. NW. You can buy a ticket for one section or a ticket that will cover both places. We opted to go to both places. There were many different plants in the garden area, plus scenic photo op areas. Plus a large assortment of fish in the aquarium. I loved the weedy sea horses since they were so unusual. The children’s area of the garden has a huge dragon, plus a train loaded with dinosaurs running on a track through the display. There is also a sculpture of children trying to rescue a cat in the area outside of the gates.
While we were there, they were filming a movie rumored to be Wile E. Coyote v. Acme that is set to be in theaters in 2023. Produced by Warner Animation Group.
Santa Fe
The Loretto Line tram tour of Santa Fe is worth the money if you don’t plan to spend days in Santa Fe. Plus, it’s a break from walking. It was $20 per person. They start at 211 Old Sante Fe Trail. You will ride in open-air trams while your tour guide points out some of the most interesting spots in the city of Santa Fe. The tram ride lasts about one hour and 15 minutes. Usually, the tram will pull over at a location, and your guide will tell you interesting things about the sight you are seeing. The negative to me was we didn’t really know where we were in order to go back to the places we saw, except the places we were planning to see already. A map of the route would have been helpful.
The Palace of the Governors on the Plaza is the oldest publically lived-in public building. It was built in 1620. In 2015 it became a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Native American vendors line the sidewalk selling jewelry and crafts. Inside is a museum and art galleries. The Palace of the Governors is located on the north side of the Plaza. There is a shopping area with stores around the other borders of the Plaza. The plaza has grass, trees, benches, and a historical marker. This is the city square, and it is known as the “Heart of Santa Fe.” It is a gathering place for annual events like the Spanish Market and Fiestas de Santa Fe.
Loretta Chapel is home to a famous wooden spiral staircase. The staircase leads up to the choir loft. When it was originally built, there was no railing on the staircase. I think that would have been incentive enough for me not to join the choir. The chapel was built in 1873.
Journey’s End commemorates the long journey taken by settlers in search of a better life in the 1820s. The life-sized bronze sculpture was dedicated in 2003, a gift to the city from the artist Reynalda Rivera. It is on the corner of Old Santa Fe Trail and Lejo.
Meals: We ate lunch at the Shed of Santa Fe (113 1/2 E Palace Ave.) and dinner at Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen (555 W. Cordova Rd.) Both were highly recommended by our sister-in-law, who has lived in Santa Fe for a very long time. We came at the right time for lunch at the Shed of Santa Fe because the line, which can be long, was quite short. I will say that the food was, in my opinion, very hot (Spicy) but no one else in our party felt that way. Because of the heat of my lunch, I had a hamburger and fries for dinner, while the rest of our party of 9 had New Mexican food. I am not very good with spicy food if you haven’t noticed.
Taos
Taos is located about 1.5 hours from Santa Fe.
The Taos Gorge Bridge (Rio Grande Gorge Bridge) is the seventh highest bridge in the United States, at 650 feet above the water. It is known as the “Most Beautiful Steel Bridge.” Phil and I went there on our own. I will say that he really enjoyed it. But, my enjoyment was a bit reduced because I have a fear of heights. I wasn’t prepared for that to bother me, but the closer I got to the fence that was meant to keep us from falling, the more afraid I became. I let my husband take pictures since getting close to the barrier was not possible for me.
Taos Pueblo is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States. A tour of the community will help you learn about life at the Pueblo. The approximately 150 residents have no running water or electricity. There are opportunities to witness tribal events like ceremonial dances and feasts. Unfortunately, in April 2022, when we went to New Mexico, the community remained closed to the public because of Covid-19. The cost per person was $16 each had we been able to enter the community.
San Francisco De Assissi Mission Church is on the high road to Taos. It is open from 10-4. We were there on what seemed to be a busy day. There was a funeral, which involved people coming and going and hanging around in the courtyard area. However, we had time to view the interior of the church before anyone arrived for the funeral. Once we did that, we walked across the dirt road to the Shrine of the Shadow of the Cross Painting.
The staff was leaving for lunch, so we had to come back in an hour. So we did. There is a donation requested. Once you are seated, a staff member will give you the history of a painting of Jesus that is in the front of the small room. The lights are turned off, and the room is in total darkness. It is time for you to see the miraculous addition to the painting. Most people see it, but some do not. My husband saw it. I wasn’t sure if I did.
Michael’s Kitchen Restaurant and Bakery came highly recommended by our son, who visited this place previously. If you like Apple Fritters, you will love the Apple Fritters here. The address is 404-C North Pueblo Rd., in Taos. I wish we had purchased more or eaten them all and didn’t give them to my husband’s family when we got back to the camping area. (That would have been selfish, though.) They were by far the best Apple Fritters I have ever eaten. Other things in the Bakery looked delicious, too, but I was there for the Apple Fritters. Phil did buy a donut, and it was also delicious.
Taos Cow comes highly recommended. It’s a freshly made, local ice cream shop. Since we had loaded up on Apple Fritters, we skipped this location.
Clovis
A day of our trip was spent driving to Clovis, which is near the Texas border. What’s so special about Clovis? My husband and two sisters have a cousin living there. Her husband owned but has now passed down to his son the Sho-Gun Japanese restaurant. Most of their relatives live in South Korea, so this was worth the day trip to see them. The big excitement was going to their restaurant for lunch. We were treated to a delicious meal, with wine for the women only. I didn’t understand why, but it was good, and I was willing to take a glass. So this is a small plug to visit their restaurant if you are in the neighborhood.
Places I would have loved to see on our next trip.
- Petroglyph National Monument, Albuquerque. It is the largest collection of petroglyphs in North America. Petroglyphs are prehistoric drawings on volcanic rock. There are several trails, starting at one mile. That one is the easiest, costs $1, and has restrooms and water. The longer trails are free and have no restrooms or water.
- Old Town Balloon Museum in Santa Fe has a lot of hot air balloon memorabilia. They also have a hot air balloon simulator that you can ride on without having to go up in a real hot air balloon.
Be sure to travel to New Mexico and find out why it is called the Land of Enchantment. You will be glad you did. Let me know below if you have visited New Mexico or if you plan to someday.
