33 Comments

Totally agree with Amy. Gorgeous. Delicious. But, best of all, the nicest most chill people, ever.

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Oh geeez you've opened up a great debate 🙂 New Mexico, as a road trip state, wouldn't make it in my top ten. As for food, yes. The Hatch green chili is the best ever. And for red or green, you order both. It's known as "Christmas" style.

The roads thru the Colorado Rockies, northern Arizona, and coastal Oregon ... now THOSE are some stunning road trips! Take that as my opening shots :)

I did enjoy your trip.

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OK bring it on!

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Ah the sight of those hanging ristras really brings me back.

I lived in Las Cruces for a couple of years, in the 80's. But first I built my own adobe home about 100 miles west of it, just north of Palomas Mexico. (And saw a UFO once!)

So what I hate most about floriDUH life, apart from the abysmal politics that have now taken over the whole country, is that I can't order a green cheese enchilada plate ANYWHERE.

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I miss looking out at midnight and seeing millions of stars. I, too, live in Florida.

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We spent a night at the campsite at the Echo Ampitheater in northern NM last year... incredible!

Yes, it's a beautiful state. Says this Canadian, who, sadly, will probably not be returning for some time. So it's doubly nice to see your photos and remember.

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When I lived in New Mexico and ordered stuff online, I was often informed that they only mail to the contiguous states in the USA. Go figure! It's a standard joke in NM.

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People often asked if Wyoming is a state, back when I was from there. 🤣

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Oh, I love this post Amy… I’m in the process of planning a small retreat in the Santa Fe area area… And you’ve affirmed my decision for that!!

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I too love a plate of enchiladas, but there’s only one way to eat them. It’s Christmas (red and green chile side by side). Best of both at the same time.

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So glad you got to experience sopapillas with a little honey drizzled on top! Nothing like that in Oregon, for sure.

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New Mexico is magic—the geology, the landscape, the sky, the people, the cultures... and Hatch green chile will change your life. I lived in Santa Fe for a few years and miss it there terribly.

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Arizona is the best road trip state. The desert / Tucson. Chiricahua National Monument. Prescott-Sedona-Flagstaff. Painted Desert / Petrified Forest. Grand Canyon and areas north.

Big city. Medium city (World Heritage food town - Tucson). Mountain towns. Small quirky towns.

Don't get me wrong - I love New Mexico!! Your list, Amy, is stunning. But the diversity of Arizona for the size is tops.

If you come, we'll show you around Tucson (Anne is co-author of "A Naturalist's Guide to Sabino Canyon" and has all your books).

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1dEdited

We met on e-Harmony. He lived in New Mexico and I lived in London (UK). We were married in the idyllic village of Jemez Springs, NM and lived there for 10 years. I thought NM was some banana Republic in South America. He explained about US geography and my education about all things American began. That was 20 years ago. BTW I've read all the Kopp books. Love them. Nora Curran a fellow scribe.

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This is so perfect as I am heading to Albuquerque next week to see many of these places you have mentioned. And I want a sopapilla the size of my head!

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I LOVE New Mexico. You forgot to mention the random hot springs you can find all through the central and northern part of the state. Soak your body in a restorative pool out in the woods away from the world. On the other hand, as much as I love New Mexico, sometimes you want a road trip with a little bit of horror built in . . . road tripping through the backwoods of West Virginia and Kentucky can get you there. Take in the glory of the lushly wooded mountains and then watch for the jump scare when you come upon a decaying and rusted community of people who are less than thrilled to see you. Or if you want a trip through despair, nothing is better than the Alabama and Mississippi salt flats. Or for revolutionary and literary inspiration, the Patriot Road through Massachussetts will stun you. Walden, Alcott, Hawthorne, Twain, Dickinson, and much more. Step in their spaces and soak it in.

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from Texas but we looooovvvve NM!

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On behalf of NM, I thank you. There's so much explore here, and you def hit some of the high spots.

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I love New Mexico for the wonderful mix of cultures - the Pueblos, Navajo, colonial Spanish, and Anglo.

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