I’m home, but there is one more excursion to share. On my final morning, Jeanne and I drove up Sandia Mountain to view the changing of the aspens. The autumn colors in my part of the US (the northeast) is ablaze with a dozen shades of red, orange, gold and every conceivable permutation. There’s a […]

The mass balloon ascension is the big draw for the festival, it’s what attracts the most people. But each evening there is a second event, the “glow.” Rather than heading into the skies, the balloons are tethered down. Lit from within by propane in bursts, the vibrant balloon envelopes shimmer against the dark sky. While […]

On my first trip to New Mexico, nearly fifty years ago, I explored the Turquoise Trail which connects Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The fifty-mile trail is named for the rich deposits of turquoise mined in the region. It meanders through the Sandia Mountains and connects several historic mining towns like Cerrillos, Madrid, and Golden. The […]

I love the southwest for the scenery; the desert, cacti, vast expanses and endless sky are magnificent. But between the open spaces are slews of interesting towns. Here are just a few of my favorite towns in the southwest. Jerome, Arizona is just a few miles away from the far better-known Sedona. At one point […]

New Mexico, known as the “Land of Enchantment,” boasts a captivating blend of rich history, a vibrant arts community, and stunning landscapes. Nevertheless, similar to any location, it has issues that could deter individuals from residing there. Discover five unexpected reasons why certain individuals are hesitant to relocate to New Mexico: 1. Increased Crime Rates […]

Two Republican legislators have aimed to impeach Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham over her decision to restrict firearms in some public places. The Resolution for Impeachment The two lawmakers had filed a resolution to proceed with the impeachment of the Democratic Governor on Wednesday. The Governor had restricted the right to carry firearms in public places like […]

An excerpt from my new book “Wanderlust: Extraordinary People, Quirky Places, and Curious Cuisine,” out October 4th. The White Sands National Monument is about seventy miles from Las Cruces and is notable for two reasons. First, it is the site of one of the world’s largest above ground gypsum deposits. Gypsum is a widely used […]