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S -- S is for Santa Fe. Founded by the Spanish in 1607, Santa Fe is the oldest capital in the United States. And even though some are pressuring for the capital to be moved to Albuquerque (where half of the state's population lives), Santa Fe is likely to continue in her current role in state government.
T -- T is for Tumbleweeds. Tumbleweeds are a particular type of spiky, desert plant that uproot themselves in the spring and roll around. If you can avoid them, do, because their stems can be thick enough to break windshields (just ask our friend). U -- U is for "Under New Mexico Skies" which is the state's official cowboy song. (Don't laugh, the bolo is also our official tie and is permitted on the floor of the state house and senate.) V -- V is for Vista. We may be just a bit conceited but we think New Mexico is beautiful as evidenced in that just about everything is vista this or vista that. N -- N is for Navajo. New Mexico is home to much of the Navajo Reservation which is roughly the size of West Virginia.
O -- O is for Oil. While not as big an oil and gas state as her eastern neighbors, New Mexico schools run off taxes on oil. P -- P is for Pueblo. New Mexico's 19 pueblos are close knit, Native American communities who are self-governing and have their own unique cultures, languages and practices. Q -- Q is for Quay County in Eastern New Mexico, one of our 33 counties. R -- R is for Roadrunner. Roadrunners are speedy, medium sized birds that eat lizards, insects, and other smaller animals. They can fly but often choose not to.  I -- I is for Ice Caves. Not only do parts of New Mexico get ice and snow but Grants is home to her very own ice caves near the historic El Morro and rugged lava flows of El Mapais.
J -- J is for Jack Rabbits. While there is no such thing as a Jackalope (shh, don't tell anyone I said that), jack rabbits in this part of the world are large enough to kill -- if you are easily scared to death :0). K -- K is for Kid. Billy the Kid met his untimely demise here in our fair state. L -- L is for the Loretta Chapel. This beautiful little church, and it's mysterious or miraculous circular staircase, is found in downtown Santa Fe. M -- M is for Matanza. A matanza is a traditional Spanish butchering party where the meat is cooked slowly in a pit to keep in all the savory juices. E -- E is for Enchantment. New Mexico is the land of enchantment or, for the cynical, entrapment.
F -- F is for Fiesta, which is a really great party complete with New Mexican cuisine. G -- G is for Green Chile. No fiesta is complete without chile which comes in green, red, and Christmas (which is both green and red). H -- H is for Hot Air Balloons. The first full week in October, balloons and tourists from all over the world come to enjoy the colors, shapes and atmosphere of New Mexico's International Balloon Fiesta. |
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