Las Cruces, New Mexico: Retire Here? Intro

 From February 2022

Several years ago, Julia and I were researching places around the country where we might like to move after retirement.  I'm talking about internet research, using categories such as cost-of-living, colleges and universities, hiking trails, climate, political climate, taxes, etc.  Las Cruces checked off a number of the things that we liked--in theory.  However, there is no substitution for boots on the ground.

In 2019, I drove by myself through Las Cruces with the Scamp on the way home from a long trip out west.  Julia was not with me, electing to fly back from Las Vegas. She was still working.  Julia warned me not to visit Las Cruces without her, but I couldn't resist a drive-thru.  

Obviously, driving on Hwy 70 through Las Cruces and stopping for gas is not giving the city enough time for a fair evaluation.  However, my first impression was that Julia was not going to be visually impressed.  As in many other matters, she was not going to rely upon my first impression.  Las Cruces still checked off many important boxes.  Julia wanted to see it for herself.

When we spontaneously decided to take the trip out west in February, visiting the Las Cruces area and seeing what it had to offer was a high priority.  We knew that Las Cruces was brutally hot in the summer, so we figured that experiencing the city in February would be a perfect escape from our Wisconsin winter.  If we didn't like the city in February, we probably wouldn't like it in July.   We stayed ten days to give Las Cruces a fair chance.

The next few posts will go over what we liked and didn't like.

New Mexico: White Sands National Park

 

From February 2022

On one of our first days in Las Cruces, we drove out to White Sands National Park.   East of the city,  I noted the turn off for Aguirre Springs Campground where I stayed in 2018. 

As we approached the national park, we rose in elevation to the point that we were in the snow again.   There are a variety of "trails" at the national park.  We took the longest one at the end of the road, Alkali Flats, which was about 5 miles.

 

Basically, you walk through the sand using line of sight to the next visible marker.  The semi-frozen condition of the sand actually made it easier to walk uphill.  Where the sand thawed in the sun, it was one step forward, 1/2 step slide back.

 

In the middle of it all, Julia had to sit down and take in all of the wonder.

 

We hiked some some sand dunes a few years ago at a Jockey Ridge State Park in North Carolina, but White Sands was on an entirely different scale for size and beauty. 

 

The Dreaded Double Line

As I previously mentioned, Julia tested positive for Covid six days ago.  I've taken two tests since then, and both were negative.  My summer cold-like symptoms have been increasing all week.  Today, I tested positive. 

 

C is the control line.  A double line is a positive test.  We are both double vaxed and boosted.  Hopefully, the cold-like symptoms resolve soon.  I'm grateful that it's summer and we can spend some time in the yard, while we recuperate. Yesterday, Julia harvested cherries from our sour cherry tree and today baked a pie. 

 

 

I'll do a second harvest in a couple of days for freezing.  Every time I pass the cherry tree, I grab a couple of cherries for immediate eating.  The birds will get the remainder.

Taste and smell have remained intact.  Fresh roasted coffee still smells and tastes as it should.

New Mexico: Las Cruces Airbnb

From February 2022

My satisfaction level with an airbnb is highly dependent upon the rental rate.  The place in Lac Cruces was about the same price as a budget motel room but had several advantages over your typical Red Roof Inn or Motel 6.

The living space was very basic:  nice bed, small kitchen, and full bath.

Callie claiming her spot

It was quiet and secure in a working class neighborhood.  Downtown was within walking distance.  

What I remember liking best is the outdoor space.  Las Cruces weather was quite spring-like compared to Albuquerque.  Nights were cool, but we frequently spent time in our private walled courtyard, having lunch, drinks, or just reading a book.

 

Lodi: Better marketing

When I started the coffeeshop around 2004, the local Chamber of Commerce wanted me to sign up for membership.  It was quite expensive for my shoestring budget so I declined.  I couldn't really see any benefits to my shop.  Lodi's downtown has struggled for many years.  Many, if not most people, do their shopping in Madison, thirty minutes away.

Back then, the Chamber marketed Lodi as a peaceful valley with full service banking and a grassy airstrip. 

The Ice Age Trail Alliance installed new signs this week just off of Main Street.  While the Appalachian Trail is blazed with white stripes, the Ice Age Trail is blazed with yellow stripes.

Much better. Makes me proud to live in the Lodi Valley.  It sure isn't the grassy airstrip or full service banking.  

In other matters, Julia tested positive for Covid and is nearly recovered after experiencing mild symptoms.  I have tested negative twice, and keeping my fingers crossed.  The Scamp in the driveway makes an excellent place to hide from viruses.

New Mexico: Canyon National Recreation Trail

 From February 2022

We left South Valley after breakfast and coffee, headed for Las Cruces. We planned to stop at Bosque del Apache Wilderness and maybe have lunch in Truth or Consequences.  

At Bosque, the loop road offered a chance to drive through for a fee and see the wilderness area.  We just wanted to stretch our legs so we parked at the trailhead for the Canyon National Recreation Trail.  There is a small parking area off Hwy 1--a couple of miles south of the Bosque del Apache Visitors Center.  

The 2.5 mile trail was quite beautiful and a good introduction for us to a more desert-like terrain, compared to the Sandia Mountains.

The loop trail rises above the flat terrain for long-distance views from the top.

Just what we needed to take the edge off the drive and get some exercise. In going back through my photos and information at Alltrails, I just noticed that dogs may not be allowed on this trail.  Oops.  We didn't encounter any "no pets" signs, people, dogs or wildlife, so no harm, no foul.

 

In Truth or Consequences, quite a few restaurants were closed that Monday. We walked the main drag without really getting any feel for the town, except for the unusual name.   We ended up at the Grapevine Bistro, which seemed to cater to mixture of tourists and locals.  I had a Hatch Green Chile cheeseburger.  Not the best, not the worst. Service was good, and the place was clean.  On to Las Cruces!