Archive for the ‘ Recreation ’ Category


Fenton Lake NM State Park Campground in Winter

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
September 24th, 2014

We’ve visited Fenton Lake many times to paddle our kayak in circles around its perimeter. It’s good exercise, there’s a certain zen you get to experience gliding quietly just inches above the water with an expanse of blue sky above, and besides, you get to annoy the people fishing on the sides. This January was the first time we got to spend the night in the campground.
Fenton Lake State Park’s campground is open year round. In the winter most of their campground loops are blocked off. Only Loop D is accessible, but fortunately that one has electrical hookups (30 amp). There are just 6 spaces located in a shady grove of 50 ft tall pines trees. The picnic tables are all in the open, the roads are dirt and the pads are dirt covered with pine needles. There is a vault toilet nearby. Potable water faucets are at each site but are turned off in the winter. There is a working one near the lake, not far away.

With the elevation just under 8000 ft, temperatures peaked in the low 40’s and at night lows were in the teens. For years, Winter visitors to Fenton Lake have enjoyed ice fishing (although we can’t imagine it’s really about the fishing. It’s really about the drinking while waiting for the fish to do something.) When we visited however, although there was a solid layer of ice covering most of the lake, the perimeter was still liquid and there were many signs warning that geologic forces (read, volcanic) were warming the water and to stay the heck off the ice. There were patches of snow in the shade and on the north-facing slopes adjoining the lake. We visited on a weekday, and we were the only patrons in the campground, and only a few hardy souls visited the day use area.

During the summer this park is very busy, with fields of grass and flowers, a small creek feeding the lake, a playground, lots of campers, fishermen surrounding the lake, plus a few in small boats or these weird one-person pontoon things, and occasionally – a kayak. We will visit again in the summer and add another report when things are warm and green again. We wanted to visit during the winter since Fenton Lake State Park is one of the few year-round campgrounds in the area.

Pooch Plunge at Haynes Park

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
September 12th, 2014

The annual “Pooch Plunge” is held each year in the outdoor pool at Haynes Park in Rio Rancho, NM. After the Summer swimming season is over, but before they close down the pool, the City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department lets dog owners bring their pets to an event which is basically an aquatic dog park. The retrievers and spaniels loved it, repeatedly chasing floating tennis balls and frisbees. Even non typical water-friendly breeds like St. Bernards seemed to love it. A local pet food specialty store, Pet Food Gone Wild, organized a pet fair outside the pool area with dog related services and suppliers.

Let’s plant a tree… or maybe a few thousand!

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
April 19th, 2014

Sheila plants a tree
Mark & Sheila were among over 100 volunteers this weekend who, together planted several thousand pine tree seedlings within the 2011 Las Conchas Fire burn area, near Los Alamos. The planting area was near the Pajarito Trailhead, just a couple miles from the National Labs. Most volunteers used a “dibble tool” (a combination spike and shovel), to dig a wedge shaped hole deep enough t0 completely bury the seedling’s roots.

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The fun part was that even when you found the perfect location to plant the little tree, (on the North side of a fallen log; in the shade of a rock; in a patch of fallen oak leaves; or near a tiny creek bed) most times you’d find a layer of solid rock just 4 or 5 inches below the surface. The tree couldn’t be buried deeply enough and would struggle to extend its roots downward.  We dug hundreds of holes to find good spots for the 40 seedlings we planted.  After 90 minutes on site, the cool, calm morning weather turned wet. The trees probably appreciated the rain, but we were soaked as we planted the last couple sacks of seedlings.

Members of the US Forest Service were there to ride herd on everybody, and supplied the hardhats, tools and the seedlings.

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Mark digs a holeDSC00956

Vista Linda Campground – U.S. Forest Service

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
February 4th, 2014

The Vista Linda Campground is one of the few campgrounds in the Santa Fe National Forest that is open year-round. Unlike some campgrounds this National Forest Service run facility is both located and equipped so just about any day you might arrive you’ll be able to enjoy your stay. The 6800 foot altitude will provide slightly cooler summer temps and more moderate winter temps as well. Although snow does fall at this elevation, it usually won’t stay around very long. During our January visit the high temps neared 55 and at night it dipped just below 20 degrees. The drinking water spigots are a non freezing type, and the vault toilets were clean and well ventilated. (An early morning visit would probably be rather invigorating.) This is a small campground, with just 13 tent or RV spaces for overnight use. The internal roads and pads are paved. There are fire pits and grills, but no water or electrical hookups. Some spaces are pull through, but most are back-in type. Some have room for 2 RVs with 2 picnic tables for small groups. Some picnic tables are in the open and some are covered. This campground is walk up only; no reservations can be made.

The Jemez River parallels the campground (in fact it was just 30 feet from our campsite). If you like to fish (and have a fishing license), we are told that it’s a great place to get your trout on. Gas, groceries and restaurants are just a few miles away. Pets are welcome, but keep them leashed and safe. ATV’s or other non street legal vehicles may not be used.
Directions: 5 miles South of Jemez Springs on NM State Highway 4.

Vista Linda – USFS Website

Mesa Campground – Gila National Forest, NM

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
October 19th, 2013

New Mexico RV Campground Videos

 

As you drive the 21 miles northwest from Mimbres, New Mexico, to the Mesa Campground in the Gila National Forest, you might not be convinced that there’s really going to be a place to park your RV at the end of the well-paved, easy-driving two lane road. A few miles out during the right time of year, on both sides of the road there will be incredible fields of flowers as far as you can see. Next you’ll encounter a small dense forest of redwood trees. At any time, Robin Hood and his men could have pulled us over…. After the forest, you’re there!

The campground is flat and open, with low trees, fields of grass and flowers. Some of the campsites overlook Lake Roberts, but access is up the road a little ways. 12  RV sites have water and electrical hookups. A dozen more tent camping sites exist, some of which can still accommodate an RV if all the sites with hookups are in use. Each campsite has a fire ring and a picnic table. The restroom facilities have flush toilets but no showers. There is a dump station near the entrance. All in all, you couldn’t ask for a nicer RV camping facility than the Mesa Campground, a US Forest Service site.

Mesa Campground – USFS Website

City of Rocks – NM State Park

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
October 15th, 2013

NM RV Campground Videos

Boasting some of the most unusual rock formations in the state, City of Rocks State Park is kind of like Stonehenge in the middle of a grass prairie. The rocks appear to be regular rounded boulders, but they are actually fused volcanic ash from a nearby caldera.
The State Park is located 30 miles from Deming, NM and 33 miles from Silver City off US Highway 180 – a straight, flat 2 lane highway.
The RV Campground has 10 pull through or back in spaces with electric and water hookups. All spaces have a shelter over a picnic table, with a nearby public restroom and showers.
There are 42 more developed campsites, with most appropriate for tent camping, but some are adequate for parking an RV without hookups. You can make reservations for the camping and RV spaces, but be aware that as of this writing the reservation system only reserves 2 of the 10 RV spaces. The rest are first come first served. According to the staff, they are most often not full.

Pumpkin Patch – Galloping Grace Youth Ranch in Rio Rancho

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
October 11th, 2013

The Pumpkin Patch run to benefit the Galloping Grace Youth Ranch in Rio Rancho is like no other. You can buy a decent pumpkin at any grocery store, but when you step inside this wonderland of pumpkins you get a couple hours of child and family friendly entertainment to boot! In fact they call it a Harvest Festival! There are games, farm animals, tractor races, a corn pit (No, we had never seen one before either…), hay bale art, the mud pie cafe (one of our favorites) and so much more! If you haven’t already bought your pumpkins, or even if you have, visit this great event right behind the Santa Ana Star Center. They will be open daily through Halloween from 9am – 6:30 pm, weather permitting.

Cycling the Bosque del Norte Trail

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
August 7th, 2013

The Alameda Open Space parking lot is a great starting point to use the Paseo del Bosque Trail is one of Albuquerque’s premier bike, rollerblade, equestrian and walking trails. The trail is wide, well paved and provides views of the Rio Grande River, local wildlife, and the back of adjoining homes, some of which have horses, camels and llamas. We have been riding there for years, and recently shared the experience with our Granddaughter, Kaya. However, this ride was cut short . Due to recent heavy rains, there was mud at the ends of the underpass tunnel at Paseo del Norte. As I was coming out of the tunnel, I hit a pile of mud, which caused me to lose control. I landed on the retaining wall just outside.

The HD Hero camera mounted on the handlebars captured the whole thing, and was undamaged. I, however, was not so lucky. I did not break any bones, but my right arm and leg got pretty ripped up. I hit my head on a brick, but the helmet saved me from a head injury. I was able to ride back out, which was better than walking over a mile to the car. I’m sure that we’ll be back riding the bosque trail soon… I’ll just be a little more careful at the tunnels.

2013 Rio Rancho Free Music in the Park Schedule

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
June 11th, 2013

The Music in the Park series put on by the Rio Rancho Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department runs late Spring through the Summer at the Rotary Club Barbecue Pavilion at Haynes Park.
The activity is free, and people are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and snacks. Sorry, they don’t allow anything harder than lemonade to drink. Most nights an ice cream truck shows up to offer cold treats. The video above features the Mudd Brothers Band.

Performances start at 6:30pm and end around 8. The rest of the 2013 season offerings are below:

June 16: Twisted Mojo
June 23: Point Blank
June 30: Bosque Blues
July 7: Saint Wolf
July 14: Rio Rancho Community Jazz Band
July 21: Rio Rancho Community Concert Band
July 28: Interplay
Aug. 4: The Hit Squad
Aug. 11: The Otherside
Aug. 18: Code 29
Aug. 25: Rio Rancho Community Jazz Band
August 29: Rio Rancho Symphonic Band (Symphonic Music)
*Musical acts subject to change

Haynes Park is located at 2006 Grande Blvd., which is across the street from Intel on N.M. 528/Pat D’Arco Highway.

For additional information, please call the city of Rio Rancho’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department at (505) 891-5015.

Video: Sandia Peak Tramway

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
December 1st, 2011


The Sandia Peak Tramway, or “Tram” is the third longest aerial tramway in the world. Each cable car can carry up to 50 passengers, or 10,000 lbs of cargo up the 2.7 miles to the top. From the 10,378 high summit there is a spectacular view of the Rio Grande Valley.

The Tram has carried nearly 9 million passengers in its 43 years of existence. On the way up, visitors can enjoy the ridged rock faces, deep canyons and high cliffs, old rugged oaks, pine trees, and aspen. Commonly seen wildlife in the area includes mule deer, black bears, raccoons, bobcats, squirrels, downhill skiers and snowboarders.

The idea for such a marvelous attraction was proposed by Robert Nordhaus after a trip to Europe. There he saw structures similar to the Tram he would eventually build, and the idea was born. After much difficulty in construction, including bringing up the two towers via helicopter, the Tram took it’s first carload of 50 passengers on May 7, 1966. On average, the Sandia Peak Tramway takes 10,500 trips up and down Sandia Peak every year.

Breathtaking sights are not the only thing the Tram trip provides. The peak and canyons are within the Cibola National Forest, containing 26 miles of trails for mountain bikers or hikers. Skiing is also available on the back side of the peak from December to mid March. If a visitor is hungry, the High Finance Resturant doors are always open for anyone who desires to “dine two miles high.” The Tram guides highly recommend having a meal in the evening and coming down the mountain after dark, to enjoy the city lights from a whole different perspective.

VIDEO: RIO GRANDE COMMUNITY FARM ANNUAL “MAIZE MAZE”

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
October 4th, 2011

The 14th Annual Maize Maze is open 7 days a week now through the end of October at the Rio Grande Community Farm on Manzano, East of the river. The maze is cut into 7 acres of tall corn. This year’s design is a dinosaur. The activity supports the annual budget of the community farm. October 14th and 15th visitors are invited to explore the maze by moonlight. When the maze finishes, the fields will be knocked down to provide food for migrating birds. The video below is from the 2010 maze. For more information, visit http://www.riograndefarm.org .

Pork and Brew State BBQ Championship in Rio Rancho, NM

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
July 11th, 2011

The 8th Annual Pork and Brew BBQ State Championship was held over the Fourth of July weekend at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, NM. What was once a relatively small event has grown to be a three day celebration of fun, music and barbeque! There were dozens of competitors vying for top prize in Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket BBQ.  You could buy samples from most vendors, and if you found one you really liked, you could buy a meal-sized portion to enjoy. For the kids and teens, the carnival rides beckoned. The music from the bandstand filled the whole area and dancing while you enjoyed a cold beer or lemonade was optional. The band performing in the video is “Wrestlin with Jimmy”.

Pork and Brew

Winners by Category

Overall
1st: Grand Champ: Mad Dawqz BBQ
2nd: Reserve Champ: Mad Max BBQ

Chicken
1st: Mad Max BBQ
2nd: Sweet Peppers
3rd: Thesmokering.com

Ribs:
1st: Sweet Peppers
2nd: Mad Dawqz BBQ
3rd: Mad Max BBQ

Pork:
1st: Oh Kay Cees
2nd: Sweet Peppers
3rd: Taste Bud’s BBQ

Brisket:
1st: Mad Dawqz BBQ
2nd: Thesmokering.com
3rd: Oh Kay Cees

14 Screen Premier Cinemas Theater Opens in Rio Rancho, NM

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
July 7th, 2011


Premier Cinemas recently opened a new 14 screen all digital theater in Rio Rancho, NM. The projection systems are completely electronic, without any film involved, and therefore are also without the dust, scratches and other defects that come with it. Rio Rancho had been without a movie theater for about 20 years. Premier Cinemas CEO Gary Moore presided over the grand opening. In a first for the company, fans were invited to watch a movie or two for free on opening day. The theater boasts 4D presentations utilizing D-Box motion seating which moves in sync with action scenes in the movie. The city utilized gross receipts tax investment policy incentives to attract and secure the new facility, which is located near the corner of Unser Blvd. and Southern Blvd.

Quiet Waters Paddling – Highest Rated Day Trip on the Rio Grande!

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
June 3rd, 2011

I’ve been paddling a kayak around many of the New Mexico lakes surrounding the Albuquerque / Rio Rancho area for several years. I’ve also experienced white water rafting in the Taos Box area of the Rio Grande, but I have to say that the experience of a five hour float through the Class One waters of the river between Bernalillo and Albuquerque is a totally different experience. You are not fighting to stay afloat or to not get dumped into boiling waters. Compared to lake paddling, you don’t have to work nearly as hard to get somewhere. Instead, you are experiencing the sky, the flora and fauna along the banks, and the “flow” of the river with relative ease.

Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures is unique in that they not only provide the shuttle service from beginning to end, the boats (kayaks or canoes), paddles and safety equipment, they also provide a guide to get you down the river in style. (Self guided tours are also available for more experienced paddlers.)

Sunset Magazine recently described Quiet Waters Paddling as the #1 outdoor day trip in Albuquerque.  High praise, when compared to say, the Sandia Peak Tram, the Bio Park, and some of the available hot air balloon adventures. New Mexico Magazine called them their favorite trip available on the Rio Grande.

The tours are suitable for paddlers of all ages and skill levels. Temperatures and water flow conditions are suitable from spring through most of the fall. The company has sufficient equipment to handle large groups, making it a great activity for convention attendees, business organizations and others. You can visit Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures at 105 D Pleasant View Drive, Bernalillo, New Mexico. Call them at 505 771-1234 or toll free: 877 45-FLOAT (877-453-5628).

Video: Albuquerque River of Lights Display Delights

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
January 1st, 2011

The producers of the annual Albuquerque River of Lights display at the Albuquerque Bio Park really outdid themselves this year. We visited the display a couple years ago, and it was good for about an hour’s walk through then, but this year, with a combination of a half dozen new light sculptures, excellent organization and presentation, we probably doubled the time we spent there.

The display consists of millions of lights in over 140 light displays and animated sculptures, often set to holiday music and sound effects. Proceeds of ticket sales benefit the Albuquerque Bio Park, which consists of the Zoo, Botanical Garden, Tingley Beach and the Aquarium.    

The weather cooperated on the evening we visited. It was cold, but there was no wind, which helped keep the focus on the displays, not on how cold we were.  If they pull off the same quality of presentation next year, we will be back again to enjoy it.