The Enchanted Circle of New Mexico

When you think of New Mexico, you most likely bring up images of desert, sage brush, adobe homes, space aliens, and dust. The movies often depict New Mexico with scenes from Route 66 in the 1950s, with beat up old diners and two pump gas stations in the middle of nowhere, with the only water an illusion on the highway five miles away.

There's a place in northern New Mexico, however, that defies all the accepted images. It makes a perfect haven for travelers seeking to get away from the summer heat, where summer monsoons bring rain nearly every day, and the sun still shines most of the time. Paradise? Not really, but it's been named the “Enchanted Circle” by the local Chamber organizations, and that name may not be far from the truth.

The “Enchanted Circle” is made up of the communities of Taos, Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, and Questa. In the summer months, the weather is mild compared to other nearby places in the southwest, and makes a welcome escape from the heat for folks living in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arizona.

While all of these communities are closely related in terms of geographic location, they are significantly different in terms of what's to do if you decide to visit this area.

Taos – Taos, and Taos Pueblo are generally regarded as the oldest continually inhabited city in the North American Continent. Originally inhabited around 1,000 A.D., this village (pueblo) goes beyond the arrival of the first European settlers, when it was used as a cultural and trading center for indigenous peoples. Today, Taos is a major art center, with several hundred art galleries featuring artists from many disciplines. There are over 20 restaurants in Taos. While many are more or less “ordinary”, some of these establishments offer a unique “southwestern” cuisine that should be on your list if you visit here. While having its roots in Mexican cooking, southwestern has a different style and flavor, and it's well worth trying. You just might decide you need a southwestern cook book to take home.

Red River – Like so many mountain towns in the Rocky Mountains, Red River got its start as a mining community. Called simply River Town in the early days, Red River was home to gold, silver, and copper mines. The booming community had two general stores, a saw mill, and all of the other businesses that you would associate with a growing mining town of the late 19th century. It even had a hospital.

When the mines played out, the role of Red River changed. Instead of miners, this little town started accommodating tourists who were looking for relief from the summer heat at lower elevations. Today, Red River serves essentially the same role of making a place for folks to spend time in the mountains, away from the blistering heat of the southwest. In summer months, visitors can hike, camp, and fish in the surrounding Carson National Forest. There are several operators in town that conduct ATV and Jeep tours as well as at least two horseback outfitters (one in town and one on top of Bobcat Pass) who'll take you on a great horseback ride into the forest.