Las Cruces, NM - Land of Enchantment

Las Cruces, NM

2013-02-18T19:59:00.001-08:00

Las Cruces is an amazing city with lots of things to do. Whether you are a visitor or a local resident you'll find all sorts of fun activities going on in Las Cruces. Festivals and Fiestas with a Southwest flair, like The Whole Enchilada Fiesta, Dia de los Muertos, the Franciscan Fine Arts Festival and the Renaissance Arts Faire are just a few of the events that bring artists, vendors and visitors from all over. You'll find world famous restaurants, serving some of the best Mexican dishes around, lots of nice hotels, plus some interesting shopping in Old Mesilla. Click on Las Cruces to find out more about the "City of the Crosses."

Prepare Your Vehicle For Hot Summer Temps

2011-03-11T20:46:00.000-08:00

My best advice on driving in the city is don’t let your vehicle overheat, the consequences can be devastating. Always make sure your coolant level is full and of the recommended ratio of coolant to water. In the summer, especially in the desert Southwest, your engine can quickly overheat, blow a head gasket or incur other heat related problems. Lack of proper anti-freeze levels in the winter can actually crack the engine block.

My first car was a Honda Civic, it was an easy vehicle to work on so I always enjoyed doing my own maintenance and repair work, but sometimes when I couldn't diagnose the problem, I would ask a mechanic his opinion and then get on with the repair. Being able to ask the advice of someone who regularly deals with multiple vehicle problems is really invaluable. If you would like to ask a question online, you might try Los Angeles auto repair, their panel of experts can answer all sorts of questions relating to your vehicle.

If you don’t know much about your vehicle, don’t just let some mechanic tell you what you need to have done. Research your vehicle’s problem online and you won’t just blindly believe everything you are told. Get informed before you spend your hard earned cash and maybe you will spend less of it!

Please see Marty’s Simple Car Care Tips for more car care advice.

Occasionally I will write on subjects unrelated to Las Cruces, NM. Reviewing products or sites that I believe you as a reader may find interesting, which helps support the time invested in taking photos and writing. More interesting places to visit in and around Las Cruces, NM will be coming soon, so please check back often.

You can find lots of interesting photos taken in and around New Mexico at my website, www.martymoore.com

Kauai, Hawaii

2011-03-01T18:34:00.000-08:00

I love New Mexico, but it sure would be nice to get away from the summer heat, actually, after the freezing temps they had this winter, getting away for the winter wouldn't be a bad idea! Maybe have a piece of property in Hawaii, that would be nice. You laugh, how can anyone afford to live in Hawaii, well, Kauai, Hawaii may be more affordable than you think.

I have done some research on the subject and there are some really good deals to be found. Click on this link for an update on real estate trends in Kauai-Local Real Estate Guy. Foreclosure's in Kauai are actually higher there than on any of the other Hawaiian islands.

A friend of mine who lives in Las Cruces, has a daughter who has made her home in Hawaii. She comes down every once in a while to visit, but she always goes back, she loves it there. Wailua Falls, Opaekaa Falls and the Napali Coast are just some of the beautiful sites. Check out these live webcams on Kauai Beach and this site has some fantastic Kauai info and pictures, from a guy who just returned from a one week vacation on the island.

Occasionally I will write on subjects unrelated to Las Cruces, NM. Reviewing products or sites that I believe you, as a reader, may find interesting, helps support the time invested in taking photos and writing. More interesting places to visit in and around Las Cruces, NM will be coming soon, so please check back often.

My website is, www.martymoore.com

The Blue Moon Bar

2011-02-12T19:13:00.000-08:00

The Blue Moon Bar is located just North of Las Cruces, in Radium Springs, NM, 13060 North Valley Drive (old highway 185), right past mile marker 15. This place is a real down-to-earth, rural, honky-tonk. Not only a bar, but a really good restaurant too, serving Mexican and American food, the Green Chile Cheeseburgers are fantastic as well as the Enchiladas and Steaks. Live bands on weekends, great food and lots of honky tonkin country fun.

The Blue Moon is a great place to spend a summer evening, the outside patio is open, music is bumping and drinks are flowing, just remember to bring some insect repellent, as the bar is right by the Rio Grande River and the mosquitos are hungry. If you don't want to smell like a chemical factory, try some Skin So Soft, by Avon, works well and smells pretty good. Don't let them skeeters deter you from going, this is a great place to go for a good time.

I'm not sure how long it has been in existence, but it is actually quite a famous place. The weekend is probably the best time to go for some excitement and Sundays the bikers show up to liven things up a bit.

The Leasburg State Park Dam is right around the corner, so after a long day fishing or whatever, go check out the Blue Moon for a great steak or some hot enchiladas.

Check out www.MeetLasCruces.com for more fun things to do and places to go in Las Cruces, NM and surrounding areas.

Power Outage - No Drinkable Water - Survival Tips

2011-02-12T19:05:00.000-08:00

Due to the recent power outages in Las Cruces, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas, many people were left without clean drinking water. El Paso's water supply was dangerously low; the generators which powered the water pumps were frozen, therefore no new water was being added to the water towers. Pipes were frozen everywhere and stores had quickly sold out of bottled water. The temperatures had dropped to below zero, unheard of in this area and people were not prepared for the consequences.

If it happens again, the thing to do is to prepare now. The easy answer is a water purification device, like hikers use. No clean water, no problem, any water source will do, even dirty water can be made drinkable very quickly. For instance, in both Las Cruces and El Paso, the Rio Grande river is pretty much right in your back yard. Why not have a portable water purification device in your home or vehicle? They are hand-held pumps, relatively inexpensive and all you would have to do is take your empty jugs down to the river, place the long filler tube in the water and pump pure, clean, bacteria-free water into your containers.

Personally I have used the Katadyn Hiker Water Microfilter, it produces a quart a minute and one cartridge will purify 200 gallons. I can tell you that it works very well and is very light and portable.

Also, if you will store several containers of water in a cool dark spot, either inside or outside your home, you will at least have some for an emergency. Rotate the water with new water every month, to keep it fresh. A drop of chlorine bleach per gallon will help keep bacteria from growing so quickly.

Next time don't panic, be prepared!

Please check back soon, for my next article: Being prepared if you have no natural gas or electricity to heat your home. This also was a recent scenario in both Las Cruces and El Paso, because of the record low temps.

Please visit my website for more interesting images. www.martymoore.com

Dripping Springs Natural Area

2011-02-02T20:40:00.000-08:00

Dripping Springs Natural Area is located at the base of the Organ Mountains, about 11 miles East of Las Cruces, NM.

As you travel East up University Avenue, the pavement will end and a gravel road will continue up towards the mountains, just keep going and it will terminate at the Dripping Springs Visitor Center.

Right before you reach the Center, you will see a rock formation on your left, called "La Cueva", meaning "The Cave", very interesting place to stop and investigate.

The Dripping Springs Natural Area is open year-round, from 8:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. April through September and 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. October through March. There is a day use fee of $3.00 per vehicle and if you would like to reserve a picnic site, the cost is $25.00. The visitor center is open from 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m., 505-522-1210.

You will want to make a day of Dripping Springs, pack a picnic lunch, your hiking gear, don't forget water, and head for the mountains. The scenery is beautiful and the view is spectacular. Hiking trails are well maintained and you'll see lots of wildlife and interesting vegetation. Many rare species of plants can only be found growing in the Organ Mountains. Springtime is a fantastic time to visit, the California Poppies are blooming, lots of other wildflowers dot the countryside and as the name suggests, you may see some dripping springs, especially if it has rained recently.

Bring your camera and show your friends what you did that day, they won't believe you were in the desert of New Mexico.

Going from the valley of Las Cruces to the Organ Mountains is like going to a whole different state, it's amazing how the climate can change in just a few miles. Tired of the desert, go up to the Mountains!

New Mexico is definitely the Land of Enchantment!

Check out www.MeetLasCruces.com for fun things to do in Las Cruces, NM and surrounding areas.

Images on this site are copyrighted, 2011.
All rights reserved.

Burn Lake

2011-01-26T05:15:00.000-08:00

Burn Lake is a small man-made lake, located at 1855 W. Amador in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Back in the 80's it was a pretty nice place to go and catch a few, as it was stocked with trout in the winter and catfish in the summer; some really large fish were caught back then. I tried my luck last summer and didn't even get a bite, but if you're looking for a close body of water to wet a line or just relax by the bank, Burn Lake is probably your best bet. The next closest larger lake is Caballo Lake, up by T or C, NM.

Fishing isn't the only thing to do at the lake, you can jog or walk along the rim on one of the plant lined paths or sit under a huge Cottonwood tree along the bank and just relax.

There are several covered shelters with BBQ grills and picnic tables available for your use and a small playground for the kids.

OK, here is an update, 2013: No water in the lake right now. If you are looking for a nice park or something fun to do in Las Cruces, check out www.MeetLasCruces.com for all sorts of things to do in Las Cruces, NM and surrounding areas.

La Llorona Park, Las Cruces, NM

2010-12-23T15:41:00.000-08:00

La Llorona Park in Las Cruces is a wonderful place to spend a lazy, sunny Las Cruces day. Located along the Eastern bank of the Rio Grande river at the Picacho Avenue bridge.

The park is well laid out with nice concrete walkways, large Cottonwood trees and plenty of seating areas. On a hot summer's day, families can be found bar-be-cueing, fishing and relaxing while children play in the playground.

"La Llorona" is Spanish for "The Crying Lady"

Legend has it that a woman was so crazy in love with a man that she killed her children, by drowning them in the river, just so she could be with him. He later rejected her and she is said to haunt the area, crying and wandering up and down the river bank looking for them. Only a legend, but still quite a good story when told to children to keep them from straying too close to the river and dangerous irrigation banks!

Beautiful park, well kept up and clean. Get the family together, grab your fishing pole, some worms, a picnic lunch and go enjoy the land of enchantment. On a nice sunny day, I would advise going early, so you can get a good spot, as the park does fill up fast. If the park is too full you can always head further North along the river bank and find your own private hideaway!

Check out www.MeetLasCruces.com for more places to visit and fun things to do in Las Cruces, NM and surrounding areas.

All images on this blog are copyrighted and all rights reserved.

Las Cruces Farmer's and Crafter's Market

2010-10-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

The Las Cruces Farmer's and Crafter's Market is ranked number one in New Mexico and eighth in the nation! Local farmers and craft artists congregate on the downtown mall, every Wednesday and Saturday morning.

Take your time, wander up and down the yellow brick road and experience all the open-air market has to offer. There are a wide variety of artists, just waiting to show you their creations, some are crafting their items right in front of you.

Unusual and one-of-a-kind hand made jewelry, exquisite wooden items, pottery, paintings, photographs, soaps and lots of interesting treasures await you.

Stands of fresh fruit and veggies from local farmers abound. Homemade breads, muffins, candy and cookies, New Mexico chile and pecan products are just a sampling of the edible goodies available.

Bring your buddy, your best friend, I'm talking about your dog. Definitely pet friendly, many different breeds can be seen walking their owners up and down the mall, visiting with their doggy friends. If you need a furry friend, you can adopt one right on the mall, the Animal Service Center of the Mesilla Valley has a stand set up at the South end of the market.

Does strolling make you hungry? Have a hot dog or some Kettle Corn, while being serenaded by local musicians and singers.

The market is located between Church Street and Water Street in downtown Las Cruces.
Come join the fun!

For more fun things to do in Las Cruces, NM check out www.MeetLasCruces.com

Leasburg State Park Dam - NM

2010-08-18T21:35:00.000-07:00

The Leasburg State Park Dam is a great place to go for a Sunday outing and only about 15 miles North of Las Cruces. Coming from Las Cruces, go North on I-25, take the Radium Springs exit and turn left on Fort Selden Road. In about 1.7 miles you will cross over an irrigation ditch, take an immediate right on Leasburg Dam Road, the park is at the end of the road.

Although the water below the dam may look inviting and many people do swim and play in it, the Rio Grande must be respected. The river has a sandy bottom and powerful undertows claim the lives of many every year, by sucking them underwater. If you do choose to swim in it, my best advice is if you find yourself being pulled underwater, hold your breath and don't fight the current, just let it take you and, if you're lucky, it should spit you out a little further down stream.

You don't need to go into the water to enjoy the park. Fish along the bank or relax in the shade of a big Cottonwood tree. There are picnic tables, BBQ grills and lots of space to play.

After a long day at the park, instead of taking the Interstate back to Las Cruces, you could take a leisurely scenic drive on North Hwy 85, also known as North Valley Drive. When leaving the park, take a right at the end of Leasburg Dam Road, go a few feet and at the stop sign take a left on North Valley Drive. The beautiful Robledo Mountains will be on your right and in the summer you will travel past fields of cotton, chile, corn and alfalfa among others. Take some pictures!

Check out www.MeetLasCruces.com for fun things to do in Las Cruces, NM and surrounding areas.