I was first in New Mexico as a very young child, passing through on the way to and from Arizona. I returned as an adult back in 2009 or 2010. I did some training for legal aid and the State Bar association.
I added a couple of personal days onto that second trip. The training was in Albuquerque. Everyone told me "you HAVE TO SEE Santa Fe." As I drove into Santa Fe a rare rainstorm hit, it was a weekend, and the city was beyond packed with people. Parking was impossible to find, and everytime I slowed down to try to park, people honked their horns at me. Far from the tranquil and artistic village everyone described, it was absolutely miserable. I quickly found my way out of that hell hole.
I drove north out of Santa Fe, and saw a sign for Las Alamos. I had no clue what there was to see in Las Alamos, but nuclear test sites seemed to be an improvement over the ugliness I was leaving. New Mexico is high desert and gentle brown mountains. I love that landscape. The drive was amazing.
Las Alamos is a pine tree lined small town, gently rolling. There is a small museum there, near the rustic cabins that physicists and scientists labored in during the dark days of World War II. Las Alamos was selected because it was remote, and easier to secure. There was a heaving veil of secrecy over the work they were doing.
The first photo, was taken in the museum. Mock-ups or full scale models of the two bombs that were developed at Las Alamos. Weapons that ended the War, that changed the course of human kind. If we are not careful, weapons that will bring about the end of civilization. It was a sobering visit. I am glad I went. I would urge others to stop, and reflect on what was done there.
I picked up a brochure for a national monument with remains of cliff dwellings near there. I punched the name into Ms Garmin and started driving. A couple of minutes later I found myself approaching the security entrance for the Las Alamos National Laboratory. I turned around, and tried again, and via a slight different route and found myself back at the security gates, with no way to turn around. I explained to the guard where I was trying to go, and asked how to get there. He asked for my drivers license and disappeared into the guard shack. When he came out, he handed me back my license and placed a card inside the windshield of the car and gave me instructions. Drive straight ahead, it is about 20 miles, DO NOT STOP. Do not take any photos, keep the windows rolled up. If something goes wrong with car, put on your emergency flashers and slow down but try not to stop. We will be watching you, and someone will be with you in a moment. When you reach the guard station at the other end, the guard will remove the pass. The Park is only a short drive from the other end. Enjoy it, the cliff dwellings are amazing. When you leave there, drive south, that road will take you back to Albuquerque.
I would love to go back. I might even give Santa Fe a second chance.
Wow, those Las Alamos stories!
ReplyDeleteIt was an adventure.
DeleteI nearly moved to Santa Fe in the 90s for an art gallery job but then I thought about how much I like being near an ocean and it was too far away. But I loved the place and loved Taos as well. It's a beautiful state.
ReplyDeleteI had a great uncle that retired there.
DeleteWhat an amazing experience in a protected area.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun,
DeleteWow, that story about reaching the cliff dwellings is amazing. I wonder if you still have to pass through a restricted area like that to get to them. That would certainly be somewhat intimidating.
ReplyDeleteI love Santa Fe in spite of the narrow streets with no room for parking. If I'm in a car when I visit there, I usually have a hotel reservation and the hotel's have parking facilities. The last time I went and I had no car and that was even better. I flew right into Santa Fe, took a Uber into town and then everything else is walkable. The only place you need a car to get to is Museum Hill and I just took an Uber there. I bet you were there during one of there art 'markets'. It's crazy busy during those times.
There were other ways to the cliff dwellings, but this was certainly the shortest route.
DeleteWow! What an incredible experience. There’s a lot of beauty in the state. I loved Santa Fe, but we were clearly more lucky. No traffic jams. We bought a Navajo rug there that we still have. And I bought a pair of Luchese ostrich belly cowboy boots (ropers, low heels). That was about 30 years ago and the boots got too snug. I miss them! We have a former friend in Santa Fe (from the Texas panhandle) who’s ranching/oil family apparently own most of the town of Los Alamos, so he told us.
ReplyDeleteI should go back someday.
DeleteNew Mexico was a favorite place of my Dad. He always spoke about a wonderful trip he took there as a boy and always wanted to go back but never did. I've never been there.
ReplyDeleteI have been fortunate to have a lot of travel, much of it work related, that took me to many places.
DeleteI'm with Team Bob on this one. It is too far from the ocean and with my health, think I need to be mindful of elevation.There is a lot to recommend the state. I'm curious about the Ghost Ranch area around Abiquiu and who can't get behind a hot air balloon festival? Add to the list and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteWill Jay
I still need to check hot air balloon ride off my bingo card.
DeleteSo sorry your visit to Santa Fe went so badly. It was one of my favorite towns when I went there back in the day. I have a blogger friend who lives with her husband in Los Alamos. I believe she and her husband both had something to do with the science there.
ReplyDeleteIt is still a significant research lab.
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