flagrl2001

Hi, I arrive the 17th of March for a 7 day time share vacation in Ruidoso. I also have Friday the 24 and Sat the 25th I haven't decided on where I'm staying. I had to trade my time share quickly before it expired so I just decided why not New Mexico. I'm really into spiritual quests and the Indian culture would be very interesting to me. The 24th and 25th I thought I may head towards Acoma and the Chaco Canyon area possibly staying in Grants. I leave the 26th back to Fl. I would appreciate any suggestions. If anyone knows of any Indian ceramonies taking place during that time I would like the info. Also any ideas concerning Roswell would be great too. Since this was a quick desision I will be traveling alone, is it safe for a female to travel and look at remote sites alone? Thanks to all that respond, I really need ideas. Bobbie

jayne1973

Hi Bobbie,
While you are in Ruidoso, drive over to Lincoln. It's pretty much a ghost town and is the site of a famous jail escape involving Billy the Kid. I know it's not Native American or necessarily spiritual, but there's just something about the place that draws me back every time I go. Tour the old courthouse, where the escape and shootout took place, and walk around the old buildings. Last summer we had a wonderful lunch at a little place some people from Brazil were running...great barbeque Braizilan style. Don't know if they will be open yet since they told me they only operate the place during the summer.

New Mexico is really neat -- no telling what you will turn up if you look around a little and maybe ask. I find almost every trip I take there sort of a spiritual quest. Have fun looking!

http://www.nmmonuments.org/about.php?_instid=LINC
http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nm/lincoln.html

ElendilPickle

Yes, New Mexico is safe; you won't be the only tourist out and about.

It'll take a good chunk of the day to drive from Ruidoso to Acoma, and depending on when your flight leaves the 26th, I'm not sure you have time to visit Chaco.

Google "New Mexico Tourism Department" for information on the pueblos and anything going on there. There might be something going on at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque as well.

Lee Ann

flagrl2001

I plan on leaving Ruidoso early Friday morning and driving straight to Acoma. After touring Acoma I will look for a hotel as close to Chaco as possible, would that be Grant???? Are there any towns with hotels closer? Then I plan on spening all day Sat at Chaco Canyon. My flight doesn't leave until 2pm on Sunday. I may not stay in Grant sat night, I may drive into the Old Town part of Albuquerque and stay there. That way I can see it on Sunday morning before heading to the airport. Is Gila far from Ruidoso? Is there anything to do in Roswell, can you join any spacecraft watching groups for an evening? I would love that!

ElendilPickle

Grants is probably your best bet for a hotel before heading to Chaco Canyon.

Do check the road conditions before you go; it's dirt roads all the way into the park. Go to http://www.nps.gov/chcu for information.

If you want to spend time in Old Town, then drive into Albuquerque the night before your flight. There is a cluster of motels at Coors and I-40 (Comfort Inn, Motel 6, Super 8, La Quinta, etc.), and the Albuquerque Hotel (formerly a Sheraton) is at Rio Grande just north of Old Town.

Gila is in southwest NM, near Silver City.

I don't do the alien stuff, so I can't help you with Roswell, sorry.

Lee Ann

ElendilPickle

Revised advice coming:

I looked at my road atlas and it will be pretty difficult for you to get to Chaco Canyon from Grants. The only public access is from the north, and from Grants you go north on Hwy. 371 to up near Bisti Wilderness, then take a dirt road to Hwy. 550, then jog back west to the park entrance road, then go a bunch more miles on dirt road to the actual park.

If you're set on visiting Chaco, the easiest way is to go through Albuquerque and take Hwy. 550 west from Bernalillo.

Lee Ann

Tandoori_Girl

Before you trek across the state, you should stay in the Ruidoso area and enjoy what is has to offer. I like Ruidoso. There's some fun shopping, some arts & crafts. There is a resort there called the Inn of the Mountain Gods -- casino, interesting building, but very new age. The Lincoln National Forest is spectacular. It's an entire days drive to get to Chaco from Ruidoso so be prepared to hunker in. Roswell has a nice museum but I wouldn't suggest it as a destination unless you are a BIG alien fan. There are some interesting things in the town -- lots of alien and space kitsch -- but not sure it will keep you captivated. How about Carlsbad and Sitting Bull Falls?

NM is fine for a woman alone, definitely safe. But it can be lonely, it's the desert. Have you been to Santa Fe? You might be looking for some social encounters -- and lots of Indian there. Lots closer to you than Chaco.

seniormsuedu

From a retired female who drives all over the southwest alone.

There is a great post on Chaco Canyon by a local geologist. Type cb in the "Search This Forum" square and it will come up.

Acoma Pueblo is also wonderful as is Santa Fe.

seniormsuedu

P.S. The report is called Bisti Badlands NM