If you can add a few days to your trip to New Mexico, there is much to do in our beautiful and spacious land.

New Mexico is the heart of Native America. There are 19 Native pueblos in New Mexico. Acoma (Sky City) pueblo is located about an hour and a half west of SEED Graduate Institute. On the way to Acoma are Laguna and Zuni pueblos, and also the Canoncito Band of Navajo. Just to the south of Albuquerque is Isleta pueblo. The Navajo Nation is mainly in northwest New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. It comprises an area larger than Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts combined.

To the north of Albuquerque are Sandia and Santa Ana pueblos. To the west of Santa Ana are Zia pueblo and Jemez pueblo. If you travel to Santa Fe, you will pass through or nearby San Felipe, Santa Domingo and Cochiti Pueblos. If you continue to Taos, (a stunning 2 ½ hour drive alongside the Rio Grande,) or through the mountains on the High Road to Taos, along the way you will pass nearby or through Tesuque, Pojoaque, Nambe, San Idelfonso, San Juan, Santa Clara an Picuris Pueblos. Taos and Acoma have competing claims for the oldest continuously inhabited Native American settlements in North America.

Even in Albuquerque, a city of half a million people, open land and beautiful views are abundant. Albuquerque, boasts a combination of old West charm and modern conveniences, fine dining, museums, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (owned collectively by all 19 Indian pueblos,) many wonderful museums, the Zoo, aquarium and historic Old Town. Albuquerque also claims the world’s longest tramway to the top of Sandia Peak, and is unquestionably the hot air ballooning capitol of the world. www.google.com lists 9,630 Web-sites devoted to ballooning in Albuquerque.

(Sample day Trip: The Jemez Pueblo, Bandelier, Los Alamos, Santa Fe Loop)

Travel north on I-25 to 550, West on NM 550 to Rt. 4,north on Rt. 4 to Los Alamos, south down the canyon trail to Rt 285 Santa Fe and I-25 South back to Albuquerque. The drive to Jemez pueblo is a beautiful drive to red rock country. There are many places to stop and connect with the local folks there, and/or shop for pottery and other crafts. Continuing north, you will arrive at the village of Jemez Springs. Ask the locals if you want to find the outdoor hot springs there. You can continue on to north to the summit to find ample alpine forest and then another 35 miles through windy roads to famous Los Alamos, site of the Manhattan Project. Before arriving at Los Alamos, you will find the Valle Caldera, which may be the world’s largest volcanic meadow. Next, you can stop at Bandelier National Monument, and visit the ancient cliff dwelling sites that are reasonably well preserved. As you approach Los Alamos, you’ll be able to see the damage from the Los Alamos fire of 2000. Los Alamos doesn’t look like any other place in new Mexico. It reminds one more of Connecticut, with grassy lawns and fountains, but it is situated in a picturesque mountaintop and has awesome views of the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) mountains and the Espanola Valley heading back to Santa Fe.

Other Day Trips: Chaco Canyon

A magnificent experience, Chaco Canyon National Monument is reachable from Albuquerque in approximately 2 and half hours. Chaco Canyon was the centerpiece of ancient Anasazi civilization in the Southwest. Chaco Canyon contains the largest collection of prehistoric ruins north of New Mexico. Head west toward Farmington about an hour and a half to the Blanco Trading Post where you will see the sign to Chaco, and then take the long approach way into the canyon. Warning: Bring supplies. Only the beginning of the 16mile approach is paved. If it has been raining recently, the road can be a washboard surface. Re-exit the same way you entered unless you have an off-road vehicle. The southern entrance connects to Acoma land but is not easily passable.

Petroglyph National Monument: From SEED, a very short drive west on I-40 to Unser Boulevard exit and north three miles on Unser to Park Visitor Center; then five miles north to Boca Negra Canyon. The Petroglyph are currently endangered by a proposed road passing through the site.

Acoma Pueblo: A breathtaking civilization perched high atop a mesa. Bring sunscreen or hat. From SEED, this is easily accessible. Take I-40 west 60 miles to the Acoma exit (Exit 108.)

Santa Fe: You probably already know all about Santa Fe. Located one hour to the north of Albuquerque, Santa Fe art, architecture, fine dining and shopping are all world class. Santa Fe is the country’s third largest art market after New York and Los Angeles.

For more ideas, visit the Albuquerque Convention & Visitor's Bureau at http://www.abqcvb.org/.