Living Our Retirement Dream: New Mexico

We arrived in Raton, NM on Thursday, Sept 28. Three of the four days were forecasted to rain while we were there. We stayed at Willow Springs RV park, right off the freeway, but the noise was really not bad. They had long pull throughs with full hookups. Due to all the rain, the park was a little wet and muddy, but we picked out the driest site and the staff here was really friendly and accommodating.

We spent Friday at Capulin Volcano, a National Monument. The volcano erupted 60,000 years ago and scientists say it will not erupt again. We walked the Crater Rim Trail, which at the peaks highest point hit 8,182 feet. We loved seeing the 360 degree view around the volcano, along with the views of plant life and wildlife.

We were quite surprised to see the colonies of ladybugs all over the rocks and plants. They devour lots of aphids at the lower elevations and then go up to the crater and lay eggs for future generations.

On Saturday, we went to the historic district of Raton to their Saturday market. It took us all of three minutes to see the booths. We then walked around the town to include going through the Raton museum. This was a mining town, and after two different mines closed, the last one in 2005, the town has lost a lot of its population and has many closed businesses and vacant homes. They are hoping that someone will buy the old racetrack and the state will grant them the license to start a casino along with the racetrack operation.

The town is along the Santa Fe Trail and along with the coal mines, ranches and theatrical circuit, the town took off in the 1880s. Raton had the first public high school in New Mexico in 1884.

We learned that the swastika symbol has a 12,000 year history and was used by the Hindus, Buddhists in India and Asian countries as well as in Greece. The Indians used this symbol as good luck and was used as decoration throughout.

Raton was one of 14,000 banks printing their own money.

Bear trap.

Shuler Theatre built in 1915

Swastika Hotel in 1929 - now home
of the International Bank. Name was
changed to Yucca Hotel in WWII.

Swastika symbols

NRA Whittington Center built in 1973. More than 30,000 acres with shooting ranges, campgrounds, cabins, guided hunting, museum, and visitor center.

Monday, Oct 2 we moved onto Santa Fe. We stayed at Santa Fe Skies RV Park which worked out great and we had an end spot with a beautiful view over the valley. We also had unbelievable weather; thunderstorms, flash flooding and lightening. We still got out and enjoyed the area and just scheduled our visits around the weather. Of course the area is known for its New Mexico cuisine with red and green chiles. We enjoyed two restaurants and would definitely go back; Tostitos and Casa Chimayo.

The first day was supposed to be one of the nicest so we drove to the Tent Rocks National Monument. Due to the winds, they closed the Slot Canyon Trail and the Veterans Memorial Scenic Overlook but we did enjoy taking the Cave Loop Trail.

The next day we visited the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and Taos.

In Taos is Kit Carson's home, park and museum. He arrived into Taos in 1826.

Kit Carson's home and museum.

On the way to Taos we took a pit stop at the Black Mesa Winery. We loved the labels and the guy serving us said that the owner makes the art inside of the bottles and his wife does the art on the outside. Great winery.

We also went to the Wine Stop in downtown Santa Fe which was advertised to have over 40 New Mexico wines. It was a very quaint space and the gal there was very nice, but they only had wines from four different wineries across the state.

Santa Fe: The oldest capital city in the US at 407 years old and the highest capital city at 7,000 feet. Nickname is "The City Different". One of the top destination places to visit with many designations to include #2 city with the cleanest air.

The Loretto chapel (Lady of Light Chapel) is home to the world-famous spiral staircase to the choir loft, built without nails or visible support.

On Vargas street is the Oldest House with a cutting date between 1740 and 1767.

The St. Francis Cathedral was the first church between Durango, Mexico and St. Louis to attain the status of cathedral.

Cathedral Park

Palace of the Governors is the oldest public building in the US. The porch is a gathering place for Native American artists.

The Santa Fe Plaza has been a vital center for commerce for nearly four centuries and a focal point for the city.

There are 250 + galleries in the city and approximately 100 of those are on Canyon Road. Canyon Road is about one mile long with galleries on both sides, along with private residences and restaurants.