Southwestern New Mexico: Frontiers Old and New
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Just outside of Las Cruces, stop in for a glass of awardwinning wine, or pick up a fine vintage to take home at Rio Grande Winery, 5321 N Highway 28. The winery produces 15 to 17 wine varietals, including Mission wine (a variety that dates back about 500 years), pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc and malbec, on its 23 acres. The sweet oasis in the desert has for decades provided panoramic views of the Mesilla Valley. Live music often is scheduled on weekends. The winery is closed Mondays, and operating hours vary on other days. Visit https://www.riograndewinery.com/ or call (575) 201-3744 for more information. Once a railroad hub, Las Cruces is home to New Mexico State University and serves as a center for agriculture, science, and technology research. A short jaunt to the southwest part of Las Cruces and you’ll find yourself in the quaint village of Old Mesilla with its distinctive central plaza and shopping venues. Head west toward New Mexico’s bootheel and enjoy the rustic ambiance of Deming, Lordsburg, and bordertown Columbus. Check local listings in these areas for reenactments of life on the frontier.
Civil war history, mining, prospectors, and the Wild West are all part of the texture of Silver City, located just three miles east of the Continental Divide. No trip to this area is complete without a visit to Catwalk National Recreation Area, five miles off the highway from the village of Glenwood. Suspended dramatically along a beautiful canyon and over a cool creek that borders the Gila Wilderness, the Catwalk is a half-mile-long bridge that is universally accessible for all visitors. In the Mimbres Valley, volcanic ash shaped by wind 35 million years ago created the geologic formations that comprise City of Rocks State Park, halfway between Silver City and Deming. Fort Bayard offers a glimpse at Civil War Life. The spectacular Gila Cliff Dwellings, Gila National Monument, and Gila Wilderness are an indescribable must-see. Travelers will enhance their experience by making time to drive the Trail of Mountain Spirits, a 93-mile National Scenic Byway that winds around the southwest corner of New Mexico and past ancient cliff dwellings.
SOUTHEAST
Southeastern New Mexico: Caves, Casinos and Culture THE WILD WEST, World War history, recreational activities, and weird phenomenon are all part of a sojourn to Southeastern New Mexico, historically a farming and oil region.
In the other-worldly desolation of the mountainringed Tularosa Basin at the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert, walk through dunes of glistening gypsum sand and experience the unforgettable beauty of White Sands National Monument. This is where the first settlers came more than 10,000 years ago and the U.S. military conducted research during World War II. The Visitor Center and gift shop are open daily at 9 a.m. The park, including the Dunes Area, hiking trails, and picnic areas, open at 7 a.m. Closing times differ by season. Check https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/hours.htm. The White Sands Missile Range Museum provides history of the region and the Trinity Site, where scientists tested
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Photography by Caleb Jack.
the first atomic bomb in 1945. Due to missile testing on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range, it is occasionally necessary for visitor safety to close the road into the park for several hours. U.S. Highway 70 between Alamogordo and Las Cruces is also closed during times of missile testing. Visitors on a tight schedule are encouraged to check the park closure web page, https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/ park-closures.htm, the day before arrival to confirm hours of operation. You may also call (575) 678-2250 or visit https:// wsmrmuseum.com/ for updates. (continued on Page 14)