Turquoise Trail

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The Turquoise Trail is one of the many fascinating places to experience in New Mexico. Indeed, I can easily see why New Mexico is known as the land of enchantment. For, this scenic and historic byway carves through wild rock outcroppings, piñon and juniper-dotted hills, and a couple of delightfully quirky towns. Of course, the Turquoise Trail is named for the rich turquoise deposits found throughout the area.

Moreover, this trail is the perfect day trip linking Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Embark on the byway from the north, just outside of Santa Fe, or from the south, just east of Albuquerque, on NM Hwy. 14. Definitely, it is perfect for a one-way jaunt between the two cities. For instance, the 52-mile byway takes only a bit longer to drive than the Interstate highway taken by most travelers.

In fact, it encompasses 15,000 square miles in the heart of central New Mexico. Additionally, one can enjoy a breathtaking view from atop Sandia Crest. Then drive back into history through the mining towns of Golden, Madrid, and Cerrillos, now coming alive with art, crafts, theater, music, museums and restaurants.

Journey along the Turquoise Trail

As you travel this byway, consider stopping at the mining ghost town of Cerrillos. Once considered as the site for the state capitol, the town boomed with 21 saloons, 5 brothels, 4 hotels, and several newspapers during the mineral boom. A century or so later, the remnants of its sleepy Front Street serve as the backdrop to more than a dozen films, most prominently, Young Guns and Young Guns II. Something of a metropolis along this route, the 150-person village of Madrid is a recovered ghost town that now exists as a creative community alive with small galleries, cafes, and shops. Actually, you won’t find any chain businesses; they are forbidden by the landowners’ covenants and everything here is a true original. Definitely, don’t miss the old Mine Shaft Tavern, a real classic!

You can learn more about the trail at https://www.turquoisetrail.org or https://www.visitalbuquerque.org/things-to-do/tours-sightseeing/self-guided/turquoise-trail/.

Adventures and excitement always await my visits to New Mexico. For I have fond memories of hiking, visiting Native American reservations, exploring surrounding Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas, eating delicious green chili dishes, and of course, shopping for exquisite jewelry.

Turquoise Trail – An Abstract Representation

This painting is my mixed media abstract representation of the New Mexico’s beautiful terrain of plains, mountains, basins, mesas, and desert lands all along the Turquoise Trail. Of course, you can find glimpses of turquoise threaded through the abstract.

Did you know that the Native Americans believe turquoise promotes happiness, health, and good fortune? They call turquoise “chalichihuiti,” or sky stone. Amazingly, archeologists unearthed 56,000 pieces of turquoise in a single burial at Chaco Canyon. In addition, Mayan ruins as far away as Honduras contained jewelry with stones mined from the Cerrillos Hills along the New Mexico Turquoise Trail.

Hopefully, if you haven’t already done so, you will experience the Turquoise Trail. Or perhaps, you are looking forward to a return trip to breathe in more of that enchanting New Mexico land.

Dare to Feel,

Red

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