A Road Trip to New Mexico

August 12-17, 2001

US 82 through West Texas

Palo Duro Canyon

In and Around Santa Fe

The Santa Fe Opera

The VLA near Socorro, NM

Roswell, UFO's and Aliens

I decided that, since I was "between jobs," I would take some time for myself to clear my mind, and drive to Santa Fe for the opera. So, during the week of August 12-17, 2001, I rented a Ford Ranger XLT pickup truck from Budget in Dallas, and headed west. My goal was to do the back roads and avoid the Interstate highways whenever possible.

Santa Fe is one of the god's chosen places on earth. It's magic is ephemeral but real, and the hospitality of its people is generous. Since its inception back in 1956, Santa Fe Opera has become one of the great summer music festivals. Santa Fe is a center for artists and painting because of the intense colors and contrasts in the high mountains. And Santa Fe's Northern New Mexico cuisine is legendary.

After two days at the opera, it was back home to Dallas via the scenic route. A stop at the Very Large Array radio telescope near Socorro, NM, satisfied my astronomical cravings, since nights had been cloudy throughout my stay. A night-over in Roswell provided an opportunity to find out if Aliens and UFOs were real or not. Don't believe it? Rent the movie!

Home

[ US 82 Through West Texas ] [ Palo Duro Canyon ] [ In and Around Santa Fe ] [ The Santa Fe Opera ] [ NRAO and the VLA Radio Telescope ] [ Roswell, New Mexico Military Institute, and UFOs ]