Category: Pet Friendly

Visiting the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico the easy way…

Leave a comment
The Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico is part of the 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands in the United States administered by the USFS (United States Forest Service).
It is composed of 1,103,897 acres of forest proclaimed in 1902 as the Lincoln Forest Preserve.

With three ranger districts; The Sacramento, The Smokey Bear, and the Guadalupe districts, all contain parts of four different mountain ranges, including a good variety of environmental areas as well. Ranging from desert to heavily forested mountains and sub-alpine grasslands.

The Lincoln Forest Circuit is a network of communities in and around the Lincoln National Forest interconnected through Highway 70, 54, and 380 forming a circuit and making your visit easy. Traveling through the Circuit you will be able to enjoy the best things within our communities and the vast natural landmarks that surround our beautiful landscape.

Armed with this strategical piece of knowledge, you are now only in need of a map with a list of all the best places you must visit in order to enjoy the best experiences in our area. This is that list, with zero fluff!
Here is the Map!

A Daytrip with History, Culture, and Art.

Leave a comment

Wondering what to do in Alamogordo, NM?

Alamogordo is a great place for a day trip. There are a variety of things to see, places to eat, and a variety of activities for everyone.

When my children were a bit younger, we used to go to the Alameda Park Zoo and have a picnic there, on the grass. Afterwards we would head over to the Founder’s Park and just look around. My youngest one (then 2) would enjoy walking around, “hiding”, and exploring. It was definitely a treat for her!

Founders Park is located at the Junction of White Sands Boulevard and 10th Street. Right across 10th street is the Alamogordo Museum of History and right across White Sands Boulevard sits the Alameda Park Zoo.

You can spend 15 to 20 minutes here and enjoy it after a visit to the Zoo and the museum.

If you are coming from The White Sands National Monument and are looking for something to eat, you will definitely be able to find it within walking distance from here.

Have you tried New Mexico’s famous Green Chile Burgers? Blake’s Lotta Burger is just 4 blocks from here on White Sands Boulevard and 14th Street.

If you are in the mood for doing a little shopping afterwards head over to Main Street (right behind Founders Park).

Take a Virtual Tour of Founders Park, you gotta visit!

Where to stay in Ruidoso, NM? A Guide from a Local Explorer

Leave a comment

So, you have done your research and realized that Ruidoso, New Mexico is the-place-to-go this winter.

You are planning to visit Ski Apache, take awesome pictures at Sierra Blanca Peak (weather and health permitting), shop for souvenirs at Tanner Tradition and have lunch at Rachel’s; one of the best restaurants in Ruidoso.

Awesome, but… where are you staying?

Noisy Water Lodge is an option. These are pet-friendly rental cabins, surrounded by the amazing Lincoln National Forest and overlooking the world-famous Rio Ruidoso. Only 2 miles from downtown (and 20 miles from Sky Apache), these cabins are accessible to all Ruidoso attractions and activities.

They do not have a Google Virtual Tour, but here is a Street View image where you are able to view them from the street:

Their ratings are phenomenal and their reviews are stellar:

If the cabin experience is not for you, a vacation rental will probably interest you. Two Ruidoso Redheads have some amazing vacation options in different locations.

How does a vacation townhome rental sound to you? … I know!!!

Sorry, no Google Virtual Tours. But you can check out their photos, rating and reviews here!

If you are traveling with kids, don’t forget about the best local attractions to enjoy:

What to do In Carrizozo, NM? You won’t find these on TripAdvisor…

Leave a comment

Easy and Fun, with kids or without, romantic or not, these are four things you must do when you visit Carrizozo, NM.

Valley of Fires

This attraction (is actually on TripAdvisor…) and is awesome for everyone.

Kids, adults, grandparents and wheelchair-accessible, THIS IS IT!

What you won’t find on TripAdvisor:

  1. The Burro Challenge. Not on TripAdvisor (though I wonder why not?!) this was such a fun thing to do. We did walk around town a bit, but did not notice how far we traveled or for how long. One cannot visit Carrizozo without doing this, as this is the area of donkeys (“burro” means donkey) and the art is fun and beautiful. And if you are in Carrizozo, you must be into nature and art…and if you are not, you are missing out.

2.  MoMaZoZo’s Gallery. 12th Historic Street in Carrizozo is awesome. Stop at all the spots, including the Malkerson Gallery!

3. Chamber of Commerce. The El Paso and Northeastern Railroad built a depot on Carrizozo Flats, and the town was born.

This is a video we took on our last visit:

Alameda Park; Alamogordo, NM.

Leave a comment

This park is right next to our local zoo; The Alameda Park Zoo, which was founded on 1898, and is one of the OLDEST zoos in the country.

This is a picture of the Alameda Park published on 1908:

alameda park 1908

Alamogordo’s Farmer’s Market, with vendors from the Otero County as well as Lincoln County; offers fresh, seasonal, and local produce at the northern side of the park. They are Open from June through October, every Saturday.

alameda

We like to come to this park when the kids need a big, spacious place to run around. We might play with a ball, run races, do cartwheels, or just picnic on the grass. There is a covered playground, a shelter with picnic tables, and a bench if you just want to sit and read.

Community events and birthday parties are held here, and the shelter can be secured with a fee. I think I have seen people doing a Yoga class, and definitely other interest groups doing different activities.

Take a Virtual Tour and see for yourself why you gotta visit:

 

Two Rivers, One Experience

Leave a comment

Picture this:

The sound of a long noisy river canopied by strong, tall pines. Fish are here and there, hiding under numerous rocks that lie like big stepping stones across the river.

A steep hill begging to be climbed borders the western side of the river, and on the border opposite to it is a play ground with a picnic area. A bit further, across the busy street; a pizza place is waiting to feed hungry urban explorers.2rivers

Having young children doesn’t necessarily mean one cannot commune with the wild Spirit of the Southwest. Ruidoso’s Two River Park (yes, two rivers actually run through it) provides a means for families to experience the wildness of southwestern nature, and the comforts necessary to make the outing effortless and invigorating.

Take the Virtual Tour and see what a beautiful setting.