Looking for something specific? Here’s a complete list of all my blog posts, organized by location to help you explore stories from across New Mexico—and a few from beyond.
New Mexico
Food
- Exploring the Flavors of New Mexico: An Interview with Art Pollard, author of “Enchantment: A New Mexican Cookbook” (2024)
- Get Ready to Feel the Heat: The 2025 National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show in Albuquerque. Feeling the burn as the National Fiery Foods & Barbecue show returns to Albuquerque, New Mexico from February 28 – March 2, 2025.
- La Matanza in Belen, New Mexico: Where Tradition Sizzles, Chicharrónes Crackle, and Pants Get Tight. From Chicharrónes to Community Spirit: Everything you need to know about the Belen Matanza Experience.
New Mexico Wildlife
- Rattled in New Mexico? 7 Rattlesnake Myths (and What to Do if You Spot One). From fangs to facts: Debunking Rattlesnake Myths and Learning the Art of Rattlesnake Relocation
New Mexico Ghost Towns and Haunted Places
- Haunted Places in Albuquerque: Ghost Tour, Haunted Hotels, and Ghost Stories. Explore haunted places in Albuquerque—from historic hotels and theaters to the ghost stories shared on a local Old Town tour.
- New Mexico Ghost Towns: Lost Places, Lasting Stories, and Where to Find Them. Explore New Mexico’s abandoned mining towns, forgotten outposts, and Route 66 relics—each with its own story of grit, loss, and eerie beauty.
Central New Mexico
Albuquerque
- Albuquerque’s Top 3 Hikes—and Why Tree Spring Trail Keeps Me Coming Back: Looking for the best hikes in Albuquerque? Here’s a local’s take on three top trails—including the under-the-radar favorite I keep coming back to: Tree Spring Trail in the East Mountains.
- Polar Bear Plunge, New Mexico Style, at the ABQ BioPark: Twin polar bear brothers Kiska and Koluk demonstrate a real polar bear plunge at the ABQ BioPark.
- The Breaking Bad Statue: Albuquerque’s Tribute to Television’s Antiheroes: Everything you need to know about visiting the Breaking Bad statue in Albuquerque, and a few surprises from the statue unveiling day!
- River of Lights at the ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Everything you need to know about the 27th Annual River of Lights Holiday lighting display in Albuquerque, and a few things you don’t need to know.
- Celebrating Japanese Culture in New Mexico: The Obon and Aki Matsuri Festivals: A Celebration of Japanese Culture, Community, and Tradition in the Heart of New Mexico.
- Get Ready to Feel the Heat: The 2025 National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show in Albuquerque: Feeling the burn as the National Fiery Foods & Barbecue show returns to Albuquerque, New Mexico from February 28 – March 2, 2025.
- Experience Albuquerque from Above: The Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway: Take the Sandia Peak Aerial Tram to one of New Mexico’s best views. From dramatic landscapes to hiking adventures, it’s the perfect Albuquerque escape.
- Haunted Places in Albuquerque: Ghost Tour, Haunted Hotels, and Ghost Stories. Explore haunted places in Albuquerque—from historic hotels and theaters to the ghost stories shared on a local Old Town tour.
Belen
- La Matanza in Belen, New Mexico: Where Tradition Sizzles, Chicharrónes Crackle, and Pants Get Tight. From Chicharrónes to Community Spirit: Everything you need to know about the Belen Matanza Experience.
Golden
- Meet the Mayor of Golden, New Mexico: One person’s junk is another person’s art: A fun, quirky stop along the Turquoise Trail (Hwy 14) between the East Mountains of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico
San Antonio
- San Antonio, New Mexico: Birds, Burgers, and the Festival of Cranes: Plan your visit to San Antonio, NM—home to Bosque del Apache’s world-class birding, the Festival of the Cranes, and some of New Mexico’s best green chile cheeseburgers.
San Antonito
- San Antonito Catholic Mission Church and Cemetery in San Antonito, New Mexico: History of San Antonito, New Mexico and its historical church: San Antonito Catholic Mission Church and Cemetery (aka Nuestro Señor de Mapimi Church)
Sandia Park
- Birding Sandia Crest in Albuquerque’s East Mountains: Searching for Rosy-finches, Three-toed Woodpeckers, and Other Alpine Birds: A Guide to Spotting Rosy-Finches and Other High-Elevation Birds in the Sandia Mountains.
- Albuquerque’s Top 3 Hikes—and Why Tree Spring Trail Keeps Me Coming Back: Looking for the best hikes in Albuquerque? Here’s a local’s take on three top trails—including the under-the-radar favorite I keep coming back to: Tree Spring Trail in the East Mountains.
Santa Fe
- Santa Fe Summer Scene 2025: Free Music, Movies, and Outdoor Fun in the City Different: 48 free concerts, 7 outdoor movies, and zero excuses to stay home this summer.
Tijeras
- The Musical Road in Tijeras, New Mexico: A Curious Stretch of Route 66 Where Your Tires Sing ‘America the Beautiful’.
Northeast New Mexico
Maxwell
- Maxwell, New Mexico: Birds, Bears, Camels, and Cold Beer near the Santa Fe Trail: A Tiny Town with Big Wildlife, Scenic Skies, and One Seriously Unexpected Animal Encounter.
Raton
- Road Trippin’ Through Raton: Discover Raton, New Mexico—where dinosaur history, the Santa Fe Trail, biker rallies, a firearms museum, and green chile pizza all collide in one unforgettable high-plains town.
Northwest New Mexico
Candy Kitchen
- Discover Candy Kitchen, New Mexico, Where It’s All Wolves and No Candy: Your ultimate guide to visiting Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in Candy Kitchen, New Mexico
Church Rock (near Gallup)
- Church Rock, NM — Just East of Gallup: Hike Red Rock Park, the Best Leg-Stretch Stop You’ve Never Heard Of: A scenic stop packed with Navajo history, Jurassic geology, and a highly rated but little-known hiking trail—just minutes from Gallup.
South Central New Mexico
Elephant Butte
- Elephant Butte, New Mexico: Lake Life, Bird Calls, and a Marina Makeover. Your guide to boating, camping, birding, and making the most of Elephant Butte Lake—plus a preview of the 2025 upgrades at Marina del Sur and Dam Site Marina.
Southeast New Mexico
Carrizozo
- Top 5 things to do in Carrizozo, New Mexico in 2024: Painted burros, Photozozo, World Art Day 2024, and a restorative pit stop at the Valley of Fires Recreation Area.
Glencoe
- Glencoe: Tale of a Cave, a Church, and a Valley of Coes: From a Meem-designed chapel to a cave of aliens, Glencoe packs outlaw lore, political firsts, and roadside surprises into one tiny New Mexico town.
Hondo
- Hanging out in Hondo, New Mexico : Apples, Rolling Hills, and the Hondo Valley Eagles.
Lincoln
- Lincoln, New Mexico: Billy the Kid Pageant and Old Lincoln Days: Visting “The Most Dangerous Town in America” for the Billy the Kid Pageant and Old Lincoln Days.
Ruidoso Downs
- A Day at the Races, Beginner’s Luck, and “Free Spirits at Noisy Water”. Discover Ruidoso Downs Race Track and the Free Spirits at Noisy Water—an impressive bronze horse sculpture display and unique roadside stop in southern New Mexico.
San Patricio
- San Patricio: Apples, Art, Wine, and History Along the Rio Ruidoso: A Quiet Hondo Valley Village Where Creativity and Landscape Flow Together.
Tinnie
- The Tiny Town of Tinnie, New Mexico: A Quiet Highway 70 Stop with Quirky Sculptures and a Hint of New Mexico History.
White Oaks
- White Oaks, New Mexico: The annual Miner’s Day Festival and a visit to the “No Scum Allowed Saloon”: Once a Rowdy Mining Boomtown—Now Home to Stories, Music, and One Legendary Saloon.
Southwest New Mexico
Faywood
Magdalena
- Listening to the Universe: A Visit to New Mexico’s Very Large Array: Discover New Mexico’s Very Large Array (VLA)—a world-class radio telescope where science meets silence. Learn how to visit, what to expect, and why this cosmic listening post is worth the detour.
Pie Town
- Pie Town, New Mexico: Tasty Traditions since the 1920’s: A sweet journey through Pie Town’s rich history and the best places to sample their legendary pie
Rodeo
- Off the Grid and Into the Wild: Exploring Rodeo, NM and Portal, AZ: Chasing birds, solitude, and desert magic in Rodeo, New Mexico and Portal, Arizona — where cell service fades, the trogons get elegant, and the Chiricahua Mountains steal the show.
… and Beyond
Africa
Canada
- Road trip to PEI: Green Gables, Lobster Rolls, Live Music, and a Long Bridge
- Half A Day in Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Puffins, Hiking, Live Music, and Getting Screeched: Things to do in St. John’s Newfoundland, Part 1 of 2
- Puffins, Hiking, Live Music, and Getting Screeched: Things to do in St. John’s Newfoundland, Part 2 of 2
- Visiting the French Island of Saint Pierre and Miquelon as a side-trip from Newfoundland
Europe
Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania)
- A road trip through the Baltics – the journey you didn’t know was on your bucket list (Part 1 of 5): Overview. From Tallinn to Kraków, this Baltic road trip hits small towns, capitals, and stunning landscapes. Part 1: An introduction to the Baltics.
- A road trip through the Baltics – the journey you didn’t know was on your bucket list (Part 2 of 5): Estonia. Part 2: Your Estonia Road Trip Playlist – Tallinn, Soomaa National Park, and Pärnu.
- A road trip through the Baltics – the journey you didn’t know was on your bucket list (Part 3 of 5): Latvia. Part 3: Your Latvia Road Trip Playlist: Gauja National Park, Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track, and the capital city of Riga.
- A road trip through the Baltics – the journey you didn’t know was on your bucket list (Part 4 of 5): Lithuania. Part 4: Discover Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses and Vilnius – A journey through faith, resilience, and history in the heart of the Baltics.
- A Road Trip through the Baltics – The Journey You Didn’t Know Was on Your Bucket List (Part 5 of 5): Poland. Part 5: Wrap up your Baltic road trip with a journey through Poland. Explore The Wolf’s Lair, Wrocław, Toruń, Auschwitz, Ojców National Park, and Kraków
Monaco
South America
Argentina
- A whirlwind tour of Buenos Aires, Argentina: Airport transfers (EZE – AEP), a visit to the Japanese garden, and dining at one of the top steakhouses in the world
- Driving from El Calafate, Argentina to Torres del Paine, Chile (Patagonia)
- San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina: Chocolate, Craft Beer, Condors, and Jaw-Dropping Views (Patagonia)
- Travel Tips for Exploring El Calafate, Argentina (Patagonia)
Chile
- Driving from El Calafate, Argentina to Torres del Paine, Chile (Patagonia) – The New Mexico Travel Guy
- Best day hike to Mirador Base las Torres in Torres del Paine, Chile (Patagonia)
Ecuador / Galapagos
- Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos: Where Giant Tortoises Rule and Wildlife Lovers Drool
- Isabela Island, Galapagos: Giant Sea Turtles, Blue-Footed Boobies, and the Laid-Back Town of Puerto Villamil
Peru / Amazon
- Iquitos, Peru: Tuk-Tuks, the Jungle Market of Belén, and Amazing Animal Encounters
- Searching for Snakes in the Peruvian Amazon Jungle: A Trip to the Otorongo Amazon River Lodge
United States
- Off the Grid and Into the Wild: Exploring Rodeo, NM and Portal, AZ: Chasing birds, solitude, and desert magic in Rodeo, New Mexico and Portal, Arizona — where cell service fades, the trogons get elegant, and the Chiricahua Mountains steal the show.
- How to Meet Dave Ramsey: Visiting Ramsey Studios in Franklin Tennessee
- In Memory of My Amazing Dad, Erkki Bjorn Wilhelm Aspelin (June 27, 1941 – April 10, 2023)