Round Rio Rancho

The 3.4 mile extension of Paseo Del Vocan (now NM Road 347) between Hwy 550 and Iris Road in Rio Rancho opened Thursday. The two lane road is really a joy to drive on. (I drove the length of it 15 minutes before its official opening at noon.)  Paseo Del Volcan is projected to eventually span the distance from Hwy 550 to Hwy 40, adding a much needed North- South route to the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho Metro area.

There was a public ceremony and ribbon cutting at 11:00 am in a tent to shelter the participants from the day’s cold and wind. Debbie Moore, CEO of the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce was Mistress of Ceremonies, with additional words from Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack, Darryl Madalena, Chairman of the Sandoval County Commission, and Dewey Cave, Executive Director of of Mid Region Council of Governments.  The word for the day was “cooperation”.  Without the cooperation of numerous government agencies and private organizations, the funding and construction of this piece of road would never have seen the light of day. Total funding for the project was $14 Million (which wouldn’t buy you a goat path in some parts of the country, but they did a lot with it here in New Mexico). The cost would have been much higher if the right of way had not been set aside many years ago.

NM House Bill 110 was introduced in the Round House on January 20, 2011. The bill proposes to amend the Metropolitan Redevelopment Act to allow the City of Rio Rancho to have limited powers of eminent domain condemnation. When Amrep Corporation first developed Rio Rancho, the entire city was platted (divided) into thousands of oddly shaped lots, including many which spanned arroyos and were nowhere close to utilities or amenities. These lots were most often sold to individual buyers from across the country.

In order to install streets, curbs, sewer and water lines to an area, it usually take development of a significant number of lots into a neighborhood. Trying to purchase even a hundred different lots from a hundred different owners can become a nightmare. Just a couple of holdouts can keep a project from moving ahead, and without a project, there is no planning. Without planning you can get chaos.

The video is of a presentation given by Mike Skolnick from Excalibur Realty at a recent meeting of the Executive Association of Greater Rio Rancho. Mike is an expert in land assemblage for development in the Rio Rancho, NM area. He gives an extensive history of the beginnings of Rio Rancho, a description of the bill now before the Legislature, and some of the difficulties the bill might solve and/or create.

The Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally has been held every year since the mid 1970’s on Valentine’s Day weekend. The event is put on by the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (“Aerostat” is much cooler word for “balloon”.), and showcases over 100 local hot air balloon crews and their craft. For many years the event was held at the Rio Rancho Balloon Park near Northern and Unser Blvds. The video above was filmed at the 2010 event. This year the rally will be held at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, February 12 and 13.

3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, Approximately 2017 Sq Ft, 2 Car Garage

3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Approximately 1445 Sq Ft, 2 Car Garage

This soft and cuddly kitty is available for adoption at the Rio Rancho Animal Control Shelter on Northern Blvd. He is about 1 year old, playful and pretty. His ID number is C 10 002191. If you’re looking for new best friend, call the shelter at 505 891-5075 to confirm his availability, If he’s already found a new home, they have lots of other wonderful pets there ready for adoption. (Note: The “C” in his ID # does not stand for “Cat”. It stands for “Canine”. Cats are supposed to be “F” for “Feline”. Somebody goofed… So it you really want the cat, don’t take no for an answer if they tell you it couldn’t be a cat with a C code.)

The Rio Rancho Animal Control Shelter is located at 3441 Northern Blvd, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. They are open Monday through Saturday from 9-5. They close from 12-1 for lunch.

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.

People who do not live in New Mexico often have expectations of an environment replete with cacti, sand dunes, camels and extreme heat. The fact is, although there is a wide variety of terrain and conditions in the state, Rio Rancho is located at around a mile in altitude, and the weather is pretty moderate. We do get snow, usually a couple to three times a year, but it most often disappears within hours to a day or so.

The storm that we filmed just a week before Christmas left about 8 inches of the white stuff on the ground. Because schools do not always have plows and other snow removal equipment, this little bit shut down schools for the day. Since there was no school, local kids did what kids do in snow – made snowmen, forts, and threw snowballs at each other. The next day the sun was out, the roads were dry, and there was still snow in the shadows, but very little elsewhere.

Right after the Rio Rancho Christmas Parade the Parks and Recreation Department sponsored a Luminaria Tour at Haynes Park. Over 12,000 real luminarias (a candle burning inside a paper bag with sand at the bottom) formed pathways throughout the darkened park, leading from one park shelter or band stand to the other. Snacks, drinks and music were everywhere, as were lighted holiday characters of all kinds. Santa and Mrs. Claus paid a short visit to the event, and chatted with a number of small children. At 7:00 pm, there was a wonderful fireworks display. I’ve visited Haynes park several times in past years for this event, and never get tired of the sight of the thousands of glowing luminarias lining the pathways and the curving hills of the park. Kudos to the city staff for continuing this great tradition.

Another successful Rio Rancho Christmas Parade (officially the Winterfest Parade) has come and gone… The weather was great – not too cold and very little wind. Thousands of children and adults lined Southern Blvd. to watch bands, floats, and miscellaneous decorated vehicles go by. It was tough to decide who made more noise – the parade participants or the onlookers lining the streets. “Merry Christmas!” was the phrase of the night.

Bringing up the rear of the parade was a Rio Rancho Fire Department ladder truck, with Santa and Mrs. Claus waiving to the crowds from the top of the truck 

5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, Approximately 2976 Sq Ft, 3 Car Garage

One of the cool things about New Mexico is the number of great destinations within a couple hours drive of the Albuquerque / Rio Rancho area. We joined a local hiking group this past weekend for an excursion to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is located on 30,000 acres just 113 miles south of Rio Rancho, just south of Socorro. It is the site of the annual Festival of the Cranes, usually held in late November.

Many years ago, the Rio Grande River meandered more, and would create shallow marshes and wetlands in this area. Migrating waterfowl would visit this area after leaving their northern digs when it got cold. Over the years, the Rio Grande became more of a specific channel, and the birds lost their habitat. When the Bosque Del Apache Wildlife Refuge was established, they redirected part of the Rio Grande’s flow into acres of lowland to re-create the marshes preferred by the birds. Much of the rest of the land is now devoted to raising crops, some of which is left in the field as food for the birds.

During the day, the Sandhill Crains are in the pastures, eating, strutting and calling. At dusk however, they leave the pastures and head to the shallow ponds where they will be safer from predators in the dark. Some years, the cranes number up to 15,000 and blanket the sky. When we visited, the crane count was only about 2500. The weather had been pretty warm, so the real migration had not yet peaked. About 30 minutes after dark, when there was too little light to film, the snow geese flock swooped into the pond to join the cranes. The arrival ratcheted up the bird noise by a factor of ten. As of today, the snow goose population is around 8500. There are dozens of bird species present, (including Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles and American White Pelicans) easy walking trails, bird observation blinds, and great facilities overall. I recommend this as a great day trip for the whole family any time of year.

3 Bedrooms, Office, 3 Baths, Approximately 1850 Sq Ft, 2 Car Garage
A full remodel has already been completed! Included were New Stainless Steel Appliances, New Countertops, Sinks and Plumbing Fixtures, Brushed Nickel Light Fixtures, New Carpet and Tile, New Decorator Stair Banister and more! You will enjoy the Private Office adjoining the master bedroom. The back yard is set up for entertaining, with a Huge Covered Deck. Easy care landscaping front and back. Great west side location near Paseo del Norte, for an easy commute to work or play.

How could shark’s teeth be just lying around on the ground just a few miles west of Rio Rancho, NM? Well it seems that many, many years ago this area was covered by ocean. If you know where to look, and what you are looking for, it’s relatively easy to find ancient shark’s teeth, the remnants of shellfish and petrified wood on or near the surface.

Last week, members of the League of Exceptional Gentlemen and their families went on a hunt for “Teeth and Bones” in the Rio Puerco Valley. The Rio Puerco Valley is primarily known for the nearly 50 volcanic necks in the area and for its rugged beauty.

In areas where hills have been pushed up from the plains, we easily found ancient clam shells, and the remains of other, larger shellfish. Wherever there were clam shells, chances were good that you would also find shark’s teeth – sometimes small, pointed or serrated teeth, sometime larger teeth, and sometimes more blunt molar-like grinding teeth for crushing shells. Often the teeth were encased in stone.  Also lying on the surface were various types of volcanic rock and lots of gypsum crystals. The crystals looked like pieces of flat 1/4 inch thick, clear glass. The sand dunes of White Sands, NM are made of gypsum crystals. In the space of a couple hours, the group located at least a dozen shark teeth and many more artifacts.

4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths, Approximately 4341 Sq Ft, 3 Car Garage, Pool

Your castle awaits – with Granite, Marble, Stacked Stone, Stainless Steel, New Carpet and Polished Wood – all used in the proper proportions… You’ll love the Refreshing Swimming Pool, the Full Outdoor Kitchen, the Glorious Master Suite, the Sumptuous Office and Four Different Living Areas! There’s a room for just about everything you might have. The upper deck overlooks a pond on Chamisa Hills Golf Course. (The office is in addition to the 4 bedrooms. ) This is one spectacular home!