Game of Destinations.

[eubank]

And not all that far from Aztec is Chama, New Mexico! Chama is in a really pretty valley and features the train! Similar to the train at Durango (and historically part of the same network); different in that the line at Chama is considered to be a "train-lovers" train.


chama_train_blog by jonathan_maness, on Flickr

Chama, New Mexico - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Lynn

[overlander64]

Abilene, KS

Home to the President Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Museum

[N2XBW]

Ecum Secum, Nova Scotia
[Town Motto: "Birthplace of 'Hide & Seek'"]

[StreamRollin]

Montrose, CO

Montrose, Colorado - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[N2XBW]

Enigma, GA
Town Motto: "?"]

[eubank]

Hey, an A can be for Abiquiú, New Mexico! Abiquiú is located more or less west of the Taos area and, as usual, dates from the old Spanish period. Just outside Abiquiú is Ghost Ranch, the home of one of New Mexico's most beloved artists, Georgia O'Keeffe. As usual, lots of other modern and historical detail in the Wikipedia article.

Oh, and Abiquiu Lake has a really nice COE campground!

Abiquiú, New Mexico - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Georgia O'Keeffe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ghost Ranch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bing Maps - Driving Directions, Traffic and Road Conditions


Lynn

[MaxAB]

Hmmmm, "U" - that must stand for "Ute Park, New Mexico"! Just off the US64 not far from Cimarron.

[N2XBW]

Krypton, KY
[Town Motto: "Keep Away With That X-Ray Vision!"]

[MaxAB]

How about Nara Vista, New Mexico? - a very small enclave in eastern NM near the intersection of NM402 and US54.

[eubank]

Ok, I'll add Algodones, NM! One of the old settlements along the Rio Grande somewhat north of the Albuquerque area.

But why would I bring up Algodones? Wellllllll, if you're coming south in I25 towards Albuquerque and wanting to head west on I40, but, like me, you dread the roaring traffic in Albuquerque, then remember Algodones.

So you exit I25 well north of Albuquerque at Algodones. Find your way to State Road 313. (Not hard. Algodones is tiny!) Head south on 313 on a lazy and unrushed trip through some of the old villages.

When you get to Albuquerque, traffic will pick up, but not a lot on that road. When you're that far, turn west on Paseo del Norte. Traffic will be very thick there, but just keep heading west. Traffic will drop off. Less and less, and the road loses lanes and finally winds up as a two-laner with practically nobody on it.

Keep on following it westwards. Way out there on the west mesa (no homes, no businesses, no nothing but a scattered few cars), the road will make a sharp left turn. There are no choices here and no intersection; you simply turn so that you find yourself driving south. And while it may not be marked, you've also switched roads with the turn: It was Paseo del Norte, and now (after the turn) it's Atrisco Vista. Keep on driving!

You'll pass some volcanos on your left side. (And if you're into hiking, there are trails, too.) Keep on driving south.

Civilization reappears. A few large and lonely warehouse buildings. Then you see I40, well west of Albuquerque.

If you turn just before the interstate and drive a mile or so, you'll find Camping World and, just after it, Enchanted Trails RV Park, where the Vintage Restoration Rally is held.

So remember Algodones. That's where you can leave the rat race of interstate traffic and enjoy your way to miss Albuquerque almost entirely!


Lynn

[N2XBW]

Sandwich, MA
[Town Motto: "White, Wheat or Rye?"]

[eubank]

Oh, well, an H must be for Hatch, New Mexico! Best chile (not chili!) in the country!

Hatch, New Mexico - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lynn

[MaxAB]

Good one, Lynn - Hatch! Love those fresh chiles from Hatch... and they would go well on a pastrami and rye from Sandwich, MA.

So, you also mentioned Algodones, NM (right next door to me in Placitas) in Sandoval County - quite a small little hamlet. Another small one for a Hatch "H" would be:

Hagan, New Mexico - Now a GHOST TOWN in eastern Sandoval County, Hagan began in 1902 with the discovery of coal. The mining camp didn't really start to grow until the train came in 1924. With this, the town grew and had a power plant, restaurants, mercantile store, hotel, and other businesses. Of course, mining towns died when the ore ran out. When the coal ran out, so did the residents of Hagan. After world war II, the was practically no one left. If you are searching for the site, don't bother looking for any trees - there aren't any. Also, don't try in the rain - the arroyos are too numerous in the area. Like a lot of ghost towns, this one is on private property. One can get a good look from the fence, though.

[eubank]

Very good one, Art! I looked around a little bit and found a decent and interesting webpage about Hagan:

CITY OF DUST: Hagan, New Mexico

(So we need a new "N" place.)


Lynn

[N2XBW]

Nork, England
[Town Motto: "Has Anyone Seen Our'fol'?"]

[MaxAB]

Well, and "N" place should be easy:


Norton, New Mexico: is a populated place located in Quay County at latitude 34.998 and longitude -103.525. The elevation there is 4,190 feet. Norton is southeast of Tucumcari, NM.

[N2XBW]

Niblet. LA
[Town Motto: "We're Off The Cob!"]

[overlander64]

Tolono, IL

On US Highway 45 a short distance off of Interstate 57 . . . .

[N2XBW]

Oil Springs, ON
[Town Motto: "Our Mattresses Don't Squeak!"]

[MaxAB]

Seven Springs, New Mexico is a populated place located in Sandoval County at latitude 35.902 and longitude -106.712. The elevation is 7,795 feet.



(Town Motto: We have a spring for every day of the week...)