Going To New Mexico; What Should I See?

[drewbarb]

I'll second the recommendation to see Bandelier Park and the Tsankawi section in particular. You can hike up 25 minutes from the road and see many ancient cave dwellings and some really wild landscape. The area has had very little development and little traffic, so it's a good place to be alone with some incredible landscape and history. Definitely worth seeing if you're in the Santa Fe area at all.

If you go to Four Corners, go to Mesa Verde- stunning place, whether you tour the ruins or not (do, though). Ship Rock is a great spot for photographing, and the Palisade cliffs in Cimarron Canyon State Park are stunnning, too- and not too far from the Four Corners area.

Bring plenty of slow film, some good boots, and carry lots of water. Have fun, and report back to us when you return!

 

[wgerrard]

OK, I'm staying in Albuquerque the night I arrive, (flight gets in after 9pm), then 3 nights in Santa Fe, and a day back in Albuquerque before flying out. i've rented a car and will see what is to be seen, but I'm not inclined to spend hours in a car these days. I enjoy going walkabout in a city much more than driving and driving.

Took Tom's advice and ordered UV and polarizing filters for my "new" OM-2N. Could also take my Bessa, which already has filters, but don't want to be weighed down. Shot my first roll of E6 (Ektachrome 100VS) in the OM-2N along the riverfront in Wilmington, NC last week. Not happy with the results. Shot in the morning under strong sunlight, with a wide river immediately to the west and 1-4 story buildings directly to the east. Bracketed like crazy, but every shot that wasn't facing due west was underexposed. Live and learn.

 

[Jeff S]

In Santa Fe, try breakfast at either Pasqual's or Guadalupe Cafe...and do like the natives and enjoy the chiles (red, green or "christmas"). Lots of other great restaurants.

Forgot to mention...just south of Taos is the Rancho de Taos Church...you can join Strand, Adams, O'Keeffe and countless others who have photographed or painted it...but unlike Ansel, you won't get the authorities to remove the telephone poles!

North of Taos is the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge...doesn't look like much from a distance since the bridge doesn't rise above land...BUT, the gorge below will drop you to your knees if you fear heights.

I second the idea of White Rocks mentioned above...used to love to go there. And, there are 20 or so Pueblos between Albuq. and Taos...each different and interesting.

You obviously won't get to do most of what people recommend...but the good news is that you should have fun and good photos wherever you go. (I miss motocycling the backroads from NM up into Colorado...with my camera in the saddle bag!)

Jeff

 

[wgerrard]

Well, there's only so much time in 4 days. I have a bad habit on little trips like this of just getting in the car and driving for hours and hours without stopping. I've learned to pace myself. These days while I'm traveling I want to be lazy, comfortable, well fed, and come home relaxed.🙂

 

[Melvin]

Sounds edgy... what a challenge. What part of town is the Bosque?

Bosque just means the land by the river. The Rio Grande runs N.-S. through Albuquerque, and the bosque runs along it through the parts of town knows as the North and South Valley. It's the most verdant part of the city, since the river provides water in an otherwise high desert environment. South of Albuquerque is the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, where various migrating bird species hang out.

Some of the most expensive real estate in Albuquerque is in the Bosque, for example in the Rio Rancho area.

I grew up in Albuquerque and Bmattock is completely misinformed about "getting killed". I've spent many days walking in the bosque and never had any trouble, or ever heard about it being dangerous. Last summer all I saw were joggers and people walking their dogs.

 

[Melvin]

Other Albuquerque stuff, Old Town, which is the original plaza built by the spanish in 15something. Albuquerque and Santa Fe are really old, two of the oldest European settlements in North America. Of course the Pueblos are even older. If there are any dances going on at any of the Pueblos they are really interesting. People at the Pueblos are friendly and gracious. There's also the atomic museum, if you want to see what a hydrogen bomb looks like up close.