Seems N.M. is about like Ca., a wonderful, beautiful piece of land with a politician problem.
True of so many places, like Colorado, Oregon or even Australia, but tourists should generally spend most of their time away from the major cities, politicians and druggies. Enjoy this "Land of Enchantment" one-on-one, out in the country. New Mexico is the 5th largest state in land mass but 45th in population density, meaning that you can get rural and scenic quickly once you get away from the cities. If you get lonely or seek crowded roads, spend some time in Albuquerque, where there are almost a million people, nearly half the state's population. The aerial tramway to the top of the Sandia Crest is an experience that is worth the bother that ABQ poses.
On the other hand, NM has original wilderness areas, amazing food and culture, intriguing historical places, casino gambling, horse racing, balloon rallies, hang gliders, marijuana dispensaries, chili roasting, ghost towns, museums of every imagination, ski areas, art shows, fishing, birding and hunting, the Spaceport, hot springs, Trinity site, narrow gauge railroad, exotic wildlife, Philmont, rock climbing, volcanos and lava flows, White Sands, the site of the Lincoln County Wars/Billy the Kid Country, the site of Pancho Villa's raid on Columbus, huge
bosques (marshy areas with tons of ducks, geese, cranes during migrations), roadside geology, restored forts on the Santa Fe Trail, big forests, large deserts, petroglyphs, Smokey Bear's park and grave, Area 51, Pietown, whitewater rafting, wine tastings and festivals, big ranches, Pueblos and Chaco Canyon, Air force drones, Carlsbad Caverns, big dairies, National Grasslands, ancient ruins and cliff dwellings, huge pecan and pistachio orchards. . and more.
You might also see long desolate stretches of highway with no services, incredible poverty, dust storms, dangerous cities,
colonias, crazy weather swings, junk yards, Indian reservations, illegal aliens, wildfires, drunk drivers, hippie camps, gang graffiti and abandoned businesses, but that cannot be your focus.
Chose your agenda by the calendar
OR just divide the state into quadrants and hit the high points in all four regions, no matter what season it may be. I have made
Nuevo Mexico home for nearly 30 years and I don't know if I will live long enough to see all the amazing sites and sights. I'm trying!
PM me for specifics or hit the Googlesphere when you have the time.
