newmexicotravelguy

Mark Aspelin, The New Mexico Travel Guy (www.newmexicotravelguy.com), is a travel writer and author of two books who has enjoyed a wide variety of adventures in his travels to over 100 countries and all 50 U.S. States. His current project involves visiting EVERY town in his home state of New Mexico (there’s over 500 towns) and writing a story about each one. He’s on track to finish the project by his early-mid 100s. When not traveling, Mark lives as a recluse in the mountains outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Cathedral Square is the heart of Vilnius, packed with history and landmarks. Vilnius Cathedral (left): This iconic building with tall columns is central to Lithuania’s Christian history. Palace of the Grand Dukes (right): Once home to rulers, it’s now a museum showcasing Lithuania’s rich past. Gediminas Tower (far right): The last piece of the Upper Castle, offering incredible city views. Grand Duke Gediminas Monument (center): A tribute to the founder of Vilnius in the square’s heart.

Beyond NM - Europe

A Road Trip through the Baltics – The Journey You Didn’t Know Was on Your Bucket List (Part 4 of 5): Lithuania

3 months agonewmexicotravelguyAdd comment

Discover Lithuania's Hill of Crosses and Vilnius: A journey through faith, resilience, and history in the heart of the Baltics.

Welcome to Riga, Latvia! This photo features the House of the Black Heads, located in Riga’s Old Town. Built in 1334, it started as a meeting place for public organizations and banquets. Today, it’s a symbol of Riga’s history and a must-visit for anyone in Latvia’s capital.

Beyond NM - Europe

A Road Trip through the Baltics – The Journey You Didn’t Know Was on Your Bucket List (Part 3 of 5): Latvia

3 months agonewmexicotravelguyAdd comment

Your Latvia Road Trip Playlist: Gauja National Park, Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track, and the capital city of Riga.

This picture captures a slice of Tallinn, Estonia’s medieval city walls, complete with its famous towers. The towers are part of the remarkably well-preserved defenses that wrap around Tallinn’s Old Town. These towers are linked by the old defensive walls that were built between the 13th and 16th centuries. The whole area is a centerpiece of Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town and a favorite spot for visitors to explore.

Beyond NM - Europe

A road trip through the Baltics – the journey you didn’t know was on your bucket list (Part 2 of 5): Estonia

3 months agonewmexicotravelguy

Your Estonia Road Trip Playlist: Tallinn, Soomaa National Park, and Pärnu

Flags of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (from left to right)

Beyond NM - Europe

A road trip through the Baltics – the journey you didn’t know was on your bucket list (Part 1 of 5): Overview

4 months agonewmexicotravelguy2 comments

From Tallinn to Kraków, this Baltic road trip hits small towns, capitals, and stunning landscapes.
Part 1: An introduction to the Baltics.

Ristras hanging from a store in Hatch, New Mexico

Food

🌶️📖Exploring the Flavors of New Mexico: An Interview with Art Pollard, Author of “Enchantment: A New Mexican Cookbook” (2024)

4 months agonewmexicotravelguy

Discover New Mexico's rich food traditions with Art Pollard's cookbook "Enchantment: A New Mexican Cookbook" featuring 1,200 authentic recipes.

Sunset at the Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge in Maxwell, New Mexico

Northeast New Mexico

🐻🐫🍺Maxwell, New Mexico: Birds, Bears, Camels, and Cold Beer near the Santa Fe Trail

4 months agonewmexicotravelguy

I recently found myself waking up on a Saturday morning at the ungodly hour of 4:30am to make a three hour drive northeast to the tiny town of Maxwell, New Mexico. If you’ve been on I-25 between Raton and Las Vegas (NM), then you probably whizzed by Maxwell without noticing. Unless you’re a birder or hunter. I fall in the first category, though not of the...