505 Reppin’
I grew up in New Mexico; the daughter of generations of New Mexicans dating back to before the state became a state! I’m quite proud of that. But here’s the thing. When I think of my enchanted hometown state, I kind of only think of the half of the state that starts at the Colorado border and ends around Albuquerque. Now, for those who are pulling up the Google Maps tab, let me explain – that half, the half that I think of when I think of my original “home,” exclusively comprises the Northern half of New Mexico. The southern half…I’ve always sort of been able to take it or leave it.
But this trip, traversing many miles under the watch of many moon cycles, has forced me to shake ever so subtly out of my fossilized opinions on a select group of locales (please refer to my confession regarding Texas). Among the newfound destinations that I’m surprisingly taken with is the other part of the 505! (Which is actually the 575 – New Mexico got a second area code for the southern part a few years ago. Yes, there are two area codes for the whole state.)
From the Very Large Array, to the Gila, to the Organ Mountains and back up to Ruidoso, turns out there’s more to do down south than just the annual Whole Enchilada Soccer Tournament! (But I’m also here to say that the Whole Enchilada was a favorite tournament and there is nothing quite like winning a soccer game when you are 12 years old and celebrating with frozen custard at Calichi’s)
I’m smitten. True, the cities down here are nothing to write home about - but you’re not here for a cosmopolitan rooftop brunch list. You’re here - we were here - to discover an untouched wilderness! The Gila National Forest has cliff dwellings and riverside hot springs; we’ve officially deemed the Organ Mountains the “Tetonitos” because the Teton-like peaks may be slightly smaller than their Wyoming kin, but are no less impressive to explore. We even got to post up at the Cosmic Campground – the very first Dark Sky Sanctuary established by the International Dark Sky Association.
And if you want to really sell it? Add some fam bam and new baby Ana. I’ll pay full price.
New Mexico is the fifth largest state in terms of area. I’ve incessantly recommended the northern half, but now I can confidently tell you the other 60,000 square miles is just as delightful.
