Has anyone ever heard of the High Country Lodge? It's near Alto/the ski area. Also, has anyone done the Flying J Ranch show/dinner?

I wonder if I'm the only person here who doesn't have a clue what this person is talking about. I can't even guess a state, but it probably isn't Rhode Island, I'm supposing.

New Mexico.

Patrick, everyone from West Texas goes here to ski -- not so sure if George Bush ever surfaces. Actress Debra Winger has a house here, wonderful western town. I've done the Flying J Ranch show/dinner -- it was entertaining chuck wagon fare, a woman yodeler was a highlight (don't laugh). There is a grounds around the barn that is good for the kids, some photo ops, real gun galleries.

adee,

The state you select while posting doesn't show up unless you specifically search under that state--your post comes up on the US board. The Ruidoso I know is in NM--there's another in AZ???

my reasoning is: if you don't recognize the city (or town, in this case), or entertainment venue, then you can hardly post any information on said city or venue. so, as long as someone who DOES have knowledge of aforementioned posts opinions, blah blah blah...
ok, guys, back to the original post...

yes, Alto is a village north of Ruidoso, NM. it is closer to the ski area, but not close to shopping 'street' in Ruidoso. but the area is small enough that it doesn't take long to get 'into town'. Flying J is a lot of fun if you enjoy western-style music and entertainment. if you have kids, they'll love it... go early - they have pre-show activities that all will enjoy.
sorry, don't have any experience with High Country Lodge, though -
d

Sick kids turn my brain to mush! I was in the middle of doing a breathing treatment when I realized that I had said Arizona when I meant New Mexico! (We're going both places).

Oh, adee, I hear you! My kids are asthmatic, too. Be sure to take PLENTY of Albuterol with you; my kids always have a hard time in that dry, dusty desert air.

Is my face red! I have always high-lighted "General Interest" thinking that it is the same as "US". I was wrong and very tired and very stressed - and I apologize. I just found what I thought was just posted under NM (not Arizona!) at #32 or so on a non-highlighted list. I will be more specific from now on.

Jocelyn - thanks for the tip. We're in south Florida, so I've never had to think about dry air and it's effects. What about altitude? We're doing Phoenix north to the Grand Canyon, west to Albequerque/Taos/Sante Fe, then south to Carlsbad.

adeewebstr, you have nothing to apologize for. It was obvious from the title of your post where you were talking about. "Ruidoso area" is quite specific. You correctly have it under the NM topic, so that people who actually have an interest in NM and/or MIGHT ACTUALLY HELP you will find the post easily (#2 right now on the NM topic list). The only reason I came to this thread is because I know of the racetrack called Ruidoso Downs and wanted to see if there was any mention of it here.

Adee, don't feel bad. I grew up in NM and was once told by a travel agent that I'd need a passport to get out of there. NM is still a place that MOST people are totally in the dark about. Let's face it -- there's not a lot out there.

Keep in mind that Ruidoso is about a three hour drive from Carlsbad. And the roads between Carlsbad and elsewhere are huge speed traps with law-enforcers lurking in every corner so it can be risky to go any faster than what's posted, which is often only 60 mph. Ruidoso is a beautiful city with lots of shopping, lots of art -- some wonderful galleries and museums are there, including The Museum of the Horse which might interest you and your boys.

If you're going to Carlsbad Caverns, the accomodations just outside the caverns entrance at White City are ratty. Most people choose to stay in Carlsbad about 20 minutes away in the many accomodations there. I'd recommend the Motel Stevens.

I can't recall exactly how long the show is at the Flying J -- if you can find info online maybe you can determine by how far apart they time the shows if there are multiple shows. I'd guess one hour, maybe more but not much more.

Have a great time. Your boys will enjoy NM immensely. And so will you.

adee,

We travel from SoCal to NM about twice a year to see DH's family. Every time we go it triggers an asthma attack in at least one of the kids. I don't know if it's the change in climate in general, the altitude, or (most likely) the dust kicked up by the fierce winds in eastern NM. Of course, every asthmatic has different triggers, but be prepared.

On your way to Carlsbad, are you planning on stopping through White Sands? Nothing really to do there, but quite an amazing sight!

Tandoori Girl, I encounter that ignorance about NM all the time! When I decided to go to college there, I was asked questions like "Do you need a passport?" and "What language do they speak there?" "No, really, it's one of the 50 states???" Yikes!

Tandoori_girl - Thanks for the tip about the speed traps and Whites City motels. I was checking into them thinking that closer would be better for bat viewing, but I think I might rather drive a bit farther.

Jocelyn P - I would love to see White Sands (the photos I've seen are so other-worldly), but there is just no way we can fit it in without marathon drives - and we'll be doing enough driving as it is.

What about - I've gone blank - Sitting Bull (maybe) Falls near Carlsbad? It sounds beautiful (we don't have many waterfalls in sw Florida!). What about swimming there?

That's so funny about people's reaction to NM. My husband has been going to NM and Arizona for a couple years on business (he looks for shopping centers to put Beall's Outlets/Burke's Outlets in as the company expands west) and LOVES it. Every time he goes out there (he's there now) he takes pictures to show us and brings home brochures. We decided it would be a fun family vacation (totally different from home/lots of active/outdoor things) and I've really enjoyed researching it.

A change of area, but I've been reading about the Jemez/Bandelier area. Are there any hot springs where you can go wading/swimming?