Doesn't that have a cool ring to it? If I was from New Mexico and people asked me where I was from I would announce, "I am from the Land of Enchantment!" and give a quick little curtsy. New Mexico really does have a lot to see and do so there's no way I can touch on them all here and I know you're going to share with me.
(Left photo: My brother,sister and I (right) enter the Land of Enchantment way back when. Right Photo: Me (left) and my friend Johnanna enter the Land of Enchantment in 1992 on our way to Red River to ski for spring break.)
I can proudly say that I have been to New Mexico on more than one occasion. My parents took us the Carlsbad Caverns when I was four-ish. I didn't fully appreciate it when I was kid because by my own recollection and by the stories that have been told, I cried the whole way through the tour. My Aunt Trish said she carried me the whole way. But, wait... here I am walking on my own. We must have been near the cafeteria in the basement. That's the only time I didn't cry.
My brother Lloyd, me in front, my mom, my aunt Trish and my sister Leigh Ann.
If you want to torture, I mean take your kids to see the wonders of the Carlsbad Caverns, you can learn more about it at www.nps.gov/cave.
In 1992, DeDe, Johnanna and I loaded up my little red car and drove to Red River, New Mexico- a little ski town resort. Now, I'm not sure that would be a locals favorite but it could happen. I had fun. So much fun that I can't really talk about that here. There is a lot of good skiing in New Mexico via Taos, Angelfire and more. If you are interested in a ski vacation in The Land of Enchantment check out http://www.skinewmexico.com/.
Now- those were just my two and very limited experiences. I know there is so much more than I'm typing here so let's hear from others!
Fun facts about New Mexico:
The state bird is the chaparral bird (or Road Runner... beep! beep!)
The state flower is the Yucca flower.
The state gem is turquoise.
I can't wait to hear what your favorite thing is about New Mexico!
No trip is complete until you have Cheryl and Johnanna whooping it up on the exit sign... Texas is tomorrow... why don't I have a "You are entering Texas" picture?
Let's meet on the Turquoise Deck on Friday, May 23rd, and you can tell me what makes New Mexico the Taste of USA!
7 comments:
New Mexico is such a cool state! Never thought I would actually say this but after spending a few weeks there during my summer in college through the SMU in Taos program, I can't wait to go back with my husband. The weather is wonderful in late July-early August and there is so much to do. While I was there, we went on lots of hikes, biking, river rafting,and other fun stuff.
I have a couple of associations with New Mexico...
First,the positive. I had my all time highest-scoring Scrabble game in New Mexico. You would think I would remember the exact number of points, but I don't. What I do remember was using ALL seven letters (50 points automatically) and having the word be long enough to span two triple letter spaces.
My other New Mexico memory happened in Las Cruces and is a longer story. Debbie or Stacie, if you're out there, you'll remember clearly.
The year before attending the national ACUHO-I conference in Las Cruces, I attended the conference in San Antonio. While there, I met a man who worked at SMU in the Office of Housing and Residence Life. We hit it off and ended up staying in touch. By Christmas we were long-distance dating - literally one of us flying ever weekend to see the other (I was in Ohio at the time).
A year later... at the same national conference, during the OPENING SESSION and keynote speaker (attended by possibly a thousand people), the man I had been dating for the past year, proposed to me... IN FRONT OF EVERYONE! It certainly made getting to know conference participants easy, as virtually everyone who passed by me, stopped to say, "Congratulations."
In the end.. that was the silver lining. As it turns out... months later I took a job at SMU and moved to Texas, in preparation of our June wedding. We broke up in March and by May he left his job and moved back to Michigan.
All's well that ends well. I stayed in Texas where, four years later, I met Richard and the rest is history.
I've always wanted to go to New Mexico for a visit. This just makes me want that even more.
I wanted to give a shout out to my friend Jo Marie who is from NM! I met her last fall while studying abroad in Australia! I've sent her a message about checking out the site...hopefully she will soon! HEY, Jo Marie!
Did I mention that I love the Partridge Family and that they sing a song called, "Point Me in the Direction of Albuquerque?"
It's true.
I remember our spring break trip very fondly..Cheryl, Johnanna and Kristi! We met many dudes from a frat in Nacogdoches(sp?), Texas there- much fun dancing at 2 small bars-- Motherlode... and the other I can't really remember! Why are my memories with Cheryl about bars??? Great times! But a terribly long car ride from Austin, Texas!
My in-laws live in New Mexico. It has become one of my most favorite places to visit. We always take a day trip to Santa Fe. And, we always wake up to glorious sunrises and toast the evening under amazing sunsets. I can't wait to get back there this summer!
Post a Comment