New Mexico

Vintage postcard Carlsbad Caverns National Park

New Mexico is an intriguing state as there is such variety in the landscape, the culture and the amazing places to visit.  Although I have made many trips through the state, I have never had the chance to see the Carlsbad Caverns.  There are 118 caves in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park.  The number of birds, animals and insects in this area provide a wealth of information for botanists.  The bat population numbers around 400,000 or more and includes more than a dozen species.  Their outward flight each evening must be a spectacular sight!  The website for further information on the park can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm .

Another delightful sight I have missed is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta held the first week in October each year.  Although I have seen other balloon launches, this one features over 500 balloons.  Albuquerque has also hosted several international balloon competitions over the years.  Gallup is another New Mexico City that hosts an annual Red Rock Annual Balloon Rally.  The skies are fantastic in New Mexico with either desert or mountain backdrops – or both.  The balloon launches are photographed extensively.

Vintage card of New Mexico Sunset

One of the things that always strikes me about New Mexico is the clear sky.  I’m sure it rains or snows at times, but it has always been clear for miles when I have traveled there.  At sunrise and sunset the display is usually fantastic and the night sky seems to hold more stars than anywhere else. The air is almost always crisp and cold or hot and dry.  Extreme temperatures don’t seem so bad when the humidity is so low.

New Mexico is one of the western states that are fairly large.   It embraces 121,412 square miles (314,460 km²) with a very low population density.  Although there are several large cities such as Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Las Cruces and Gallup, on average there are only about 17 people per square mile or less than 7 per square kilometer.  About ten percent of the population is American Indian – the largest number of Native Americans in any state except Alaska’s Inuit population. There are 22 different tribes in New Mexico, the largest of which are the Pueblo or Navajo.  Almost fifty percent of the population is of Hispanic origin. 

 Taos Ski Valley

The landscape ranges from sage brush and sand deserts to high altitude snow covered mountains.  Taos Ski Valley is well known and is one of many family owned ski resorts in New Mexico.  The nearby Taos Pueblo has been continuously inhabited for over a thousand years.  It is both a National Monument and a World Heritage Site.

 

Gila Cliff Dwellings at Silver City

There is a long list of National Parks, Recreation Areas, Management Areas, Monuments, and Forests in addition to all of the State sites.  Chaco Canyon, Pecos National Historical Park, Bandelier National Monument, White Sands, Aztec Ruins, and Los Alamos are a few of the most well known. 

 For more information check out the website for New Mexico at http://www.newmexico.org  Albuquerque  has its own site at http://www.itsatrip.org  The National Park Service has links to each of their parks at http://www.nps.gov

Nevada

Vintage postcard of MGM Grand Hotel in Reno

When most people think of Nevada, the first thing that comes to mind is Las Vegas or Reno, the two cities that showcase casinos, magnificent hotels and exciting shows.  There is something about the constant “ding, ding, ding” of the slot machines that makes you want to try your luck.  There are some other really nifty places in Nevada even though these two cities may be the most famous. 

   

Vintage card The Mint Casino,  Las Vegas

 Almost 95% of the people in Nevada live in the general areas around Reno, Sparks, Carson City (the capitol city) and Las Vegas.  The vast majority of the state is unchanged from pioneer days with few people over a very large state.  Cattle and sheep are raised and the mining of silver, gold and other minerals are still a part of the state’s economy.

Vintage card of the Hoover Dam

 

Lake Mead National Recreation Area has become a popular tourist destination.  It was formed by the creation of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s.  House boat rentals are available and the views are spectacular.  Tahoe is another popular destination, especially for winter sports, with several resorts in the area.  Nevada has a number of other ski resorts including Squaw Valley where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held.

 

To explore Nevada is to see what the Native Americans, original settlers, miners and cowboys saw. It is a high altitude state and the driest in the country. There are almost 200 mountain peaks (second only to Alaska in the US) with high desert valleys between the mountain ranges,   Almost 80% of the land in Nevada is still owned by the US Government.  Settlers preferred land that could be farmed and so few homesteads were requested or granted.  Settlement of the territory only arrived with the discovery of silver and gold.  

Vintage card of Virginia City, Nevada

There are ghost towns and mines to tour.  For those who want to climb, ski, snowboard, hike or bike, Nevada has an abundance of “outdoors”.  There are two National Parks along with almost 70 wilderness areas or parks.  Death Valley National Park is divided between California and Nevada with many interesting places to explore.  The Great Basin National Park also includes the Lehman Caves which have some rare cave formations that appear to defy gravity.

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Where else can you travel on the Extraterrestrial Highway but in Nevada?  It is state highway 365 and runs near Area 51, the “Top Secret” nuclear testing site.  Rumors of “aliens” are plentiful.  Steam engine train rides, theme parks, local arts and crafts, historic old towns in addition to all those casinos – this is Nevada. 

Websites include both http://www.travelnevada.com and http://www.vegas.com .  Check these sites out to find the places you like best.  

At left is a vintage postcard of the Silver Queen painting.  It is adorned with silver dollars, a tribute to the Silver Mining Industry.   Virginia City, Nevada

New Jersey

First, I have to apologize for skipping Nevada by mistake. I guess I need to go back to school so I can learn how to alphabetize correctly!  Nevada will be coming next I promise.

New Jersey is one of the original colonies of the USA.  It is one of the smaller states but has a large population.  New Jersey is across the Hudson River from New York City.  New York State is to the north, Pennsylvania is to the west, and the eastern border is formed by the Atlantic Ocean. 

Vintage view of the Steel Pier and Boardwalk in Atlantic City

Much of New Jersey took a bad beating last year when Hurricane Sandy came ashore and damaged many parts of the East Coast.  Recently a fire, caused by wiring damaged by the hurricane, destroyed much that had been rebuilt at Seaside Heights.  Once again these determined folks are ready to start over and expect to have the area restored within just a couple of months.  Tourists are very welcome to visit the Jersey Shore and help rebuild the state’s tourist economy.  Atlantic City is legendary with its Steel Pier and other attractions.   Seaside Heights and Asbury Park are among many other great beach destinations. New Jersey beach towns are famous for their boardwalks, great beaches, resorts, and all kinds of summer fun.

Cape May Point,  New Jersey

I lived in Trenton for a short time when I was a teenager.  One night in November, a group of us drove down to the shore to enjoy a bonfire and weenie roast on the beach.  Crazy teenagers – we almost froze to death.  None of us was wearing more than light jackets and the breeze off the Atlantic in November after dark is VERY COLD!

My best memory is of the wonderful “tomato pies” we would enjoy after our youth group meetings. To me they were different from the pizza I was familiar with in New England.  They were made with the most wonderful crust, covered with a thick, rich tomato sauce and sprinkled with cheese. It’s been so many years I am not sure if the name was De Lorenzo’s Restaurant, which is one of the premier places in Trenton, but the tomato pies were The Best. 

1957 Postcard showing the night view of the Steel Pier

One other memory from that time was when a friend took me to Seaside Heights to the amusement park there.  I think he knew I was afraid of heights and didn’t like roller coasters, but he asked me to go on the Wild Mouse with him.  I had no idea that it was one of the scariest roller coaster type rides at that time.  Naturally, our car got stuck at the top where it felt like the only thing under the car is 100 feet of air and the ocean.  I don’t think I talked to him for a long time after that.

One place that I would really like to see in Jersey City is the Memorial to 9/11 Victims called The Empty Sky Memorial.  So many people who live in New Jersey work in New York City so they were affected very much by the tragic event.  We all felt like our hometown had been attacked even those who have never been to New York City.

The Lambertville House, vintage postcard view

I would also like to stay at The Lambertville House which was built in 1812 and has been in continuous operation since then.  The entire small city of Lambertville is a National Historic District with more than 600 Victorian structures and would be an interesting place to tour.  Famous colleges like Rutgers and Princeton are just two of the many higher education institutions in New Jersey.  There are many other places to see – barrier Islands and beach towns, cities with museums, art galleries, theaters, great restaurants and so much more.  Visit their website to find your favorite places http://www.visitnj.com,

New Hampshire

One of the many covered bridges in New Hampshire

For many people it is difficult to tell Vermont and New Hampshire apart.  They are both New England States with similar climate, geography and history.  Those who are more familiar with these states realize that they are like two brothers who look alike but have totally different personalities.  New Hampshire’s state motto is Live Free or Die and the citizens there believe strongly in their basic rights.

Pulpit and Choir Mound at Cathedral of the Pines

 One place that touched me is the Cathedral of the Pines near Rindge, New Hampshire.  This open air  cathedral was established in memory of World War II soldiers in 1945, open to worshipers of all faiths.  The hush in the trees and the amazing view of the Grand Monadnock is awe inspiring. 

My memories of New Hampshire are from the time when my children were growing up.  When the weather got cold and it was getting late in the year, it was time to drive to the Christmas tree farm to search for the perfect tree.   It was always a great trip and everyone had to bundle up since the trip home was always cold.  The back window of the station wagon had to stay open to let the tree fit into the car and of course the tree was cold already.  The wonderful aroma of fresh pine made the whole trip worthwhile.

The Dorr Mill Woolen Store

Another place that I really liked was to go to the woolen mills.  At that time, they always had several discount or outlet stores nearby.  They sometimes had rejects – pieces that were cut wrong for an adult coat would provide more than enough material for a child’s garment.  I made most of my children’s clothes and many of the presents we gave at Christmas so the mills made it more affordable for our growing family.



 I regret that I never saw “The Old Man of the Mountain” before erosion destroyed this iconic spot.  The White Mountains are beautiful with several peaks including Mount Washington.    The winds around Mount Washington are at hurricane strength quite often which is why many claim it has the World’s Worst Weather.

The Old Man of the Mountain

Ski areas, mountains, parks, hiking trails, forests, lakes, and rivers make New Hampshire a great place for anyone who enjoys outdoor sports.  There is even a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean – a total of about 18 miles, for those who love the beach.  There are a variety of farms in New Hampshire.  Farmer’s markets, open air stands on farms and places where you can pick your own produce are all plentiful.

New Hampshire has the only NASCAR racetrack in New England. There are many other surprises in store for the traveler to New Hampshire.  Their website includes a special section for international travelers including brochures especially prepared for those from France, Germany, the UK, and Japan.  To find what most interests you, check out their website at http://www.visitnh.gov