Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team November 25th, 2010
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.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team November 11th, 2010
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.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team October 27th, 2010
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.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team October 15th, 2010
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!
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team October 11th, 2010
For those outside of New Mexico that think the whole state is a vast sand dune filled desert, here’s another shocker – a mountain forest filled with gold, red and yellow autumn colors only 45 minutes from Albuquerque in the Manzano Mountains. Fourth of July Canyon contains an unusual concentration of big tooth maple trees, which for a few weeks in September or October turn parts of the green forest to crimson. Starting with a trailhead in Fourth of July Campground, several well marked trails head up the canyon . Near the top, (about 1000 ft up) a crest trail to the left gives a one way view from the ridge. Go to the right, and after a relatively steep and narrow half mile hike, you will be rewarded with a stunning view of both the Estancia and Rio Grande Valleys. The hike is rated a 5 on a 10 scale, except for the crest trail, which is more challenging.
Surprisingly, the canyon is not named for the brilliant annual fall display of color, but for the date it was recorded as being found by an explorer in 1906.
Fourth of July Canyon is just west of the town of Tajique. Take the Hwy 337 exit (Tijeras/Cedar Crest) off I-40. Go south on 337 to Hwy 55 west and then turn right on to Forest Rd 55. Follow the signs to the campground.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team September 27th, 2010
I hear it all the time around this time of year – “Fall is the best time to be in New Mexico.” It’s hard to disagree. By early October the weather has usually cooled off, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is in full swing, and the trees in the Rio Grande River Bosque are golden.
Because of the Albuquerque “Box”, (a set of local wind patterns that allow hot air balloons to fly to the south at low altitude, and to the north up high) a lot of balloons often end up flying over the Rio Grande River within sight of the Rivers Edge Subdivision of Rio Rancho.
There’s a walking path along the cliffs overlooking the west side of the river. If you haven’t ever walked there, October would be a great time to do so. You’ll get a view of the bosque which only lasts a few weeks each year, but which is worth the wait!
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team September 11th, 2010
2 BR 2 BA Approx 1072 Sq Ft 2 Car Garage
Super Pueblo-Style 2 BR townhome near UNM, Downtown, Old Town, the North Valley and Freeways. Beautifully decorated, with Wood Laminate Flooring in the living room and dining room. Easy-care, walled front and back yards.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team September 4th, 2010
This adorable brown and gray Shorthair Chihuahua is available for adoption at the Rio Rancho Animal Control Shelter on Northern Blvd. He is about 5 years old, very affectionate, and likes to be held, once he gets to know you. His ID number is C10-001204. If you have room in your home for this little cutie, 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.
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.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team August 28th, 2010
The weather for the recent 5th Annual Sundae is Funday event at Loma Colorado Park in Rio Rancho, NM was pretty darn perfect, encouraging what may have been the best turnout for this event ever! Not only was the attendance over the top, but the number and variety of booths and vendors was also a record. There were booths from local businesses, churches, political campaigns, animal adoption agencies, plumbing firms, government agencies and more.
In keeping with the play-on-words event title, there were a number of ice cream related events, including a 50 ft ice cream sundae, and the Mayor Swisstack Sundae, where Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack allowed children to turn him into a human banana split. (As I observed the carnage, the terms “nuts” and “gone bananas” came to mind.) The man is braver than I…
There was a display of classic and collectible cars, various children’s games and activities and a wide variety of family friendly fun. In keeping with the original concept of an affordable family event, food and drinks were free or very reasonably priced.
The day was co-sponsored by the Rio Rancho Kiwanis Club, the City of Vision Civitan Club, the local Elks Lodge and the Rio Rancho Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. Proceeds are earmarked to benefit local Boy Scout Troops, the Rio Rancho Boys and Girls Club, and the Sandoval County Juvenile Justice Program and scholarships for children to participate in fee required recreation events. Co-Chairmen Dave Heil and Tony Popper plus Connie Peterson did a lot of the heavy lifting to make the event a success.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team August 23rd, 2010
High Desert Bicycles in Rio Rancho, NM is a full-service bike shop offering a complete selection of bicycles, gear and accessories to meet the needs of riders of all skill levels. They carry a full line of Downhill and Mountain Bikes, Multi-Use Bikes, Comfort and Cruiser Bikes, Road Bicycles, plus Family and Children’s Bikes.
If you’re new to cycling, when you first walk into the Rio Rancho store you might be slightly overwhelmed by the wide assortment of product in the store – some of which might seem more appropriate as accessories for jet aircraft… However, if you put yourself in the hands of the very competent staff, by the time you leave you’ll feel comfortable about your selections. The sales staff is salaried, not on commission. From the time I have spent in the store, I found everyone there to be professional, knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic about cycling in all its forms.
Just like a car, a bicycle needs mechanical attention from time to time to keep it in top operating shape. At High Desert Bicycles, they offer basic through professional level tune ups and personalized fit analysis services from BG Certified Technicians. These technicians have completed extensive training in sports medicine methods of assessment and bicycle fit to make sure you get the most out of your cycling experience. Their prices for service also seem very reasonable.
There are over 400 miles (and counting) of biking trails in the Metro Albuquerque / Rio Rancho area. Before exploring them, be sure to visit High Desert Bicycles in Rio Rancho.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team August 16th, 2010
Almost 50% of our national military force is comprised of members of the National Guard and Reserve. Most of them also have jobs outside of the military.
Did you know that there is a federal law requiring that all employers, regardless of size, must do the following 6 things –
1. Allow employees to participate in Military Service;
2. Provide prompt reinstatement back into their former job following military service;
3. Continue accumulation of seniority, including pension plan benefits during service;
4. Reinstate health insurance on return;
5. Train or retrain job skills, including accomodation for the disabled;
6. Protect against discrimination based upon Guard or Reserve status.
To educate employers about USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act), a DOD agency called ESGR (Employer Support of Guard and Reserve – Don’t you just love all the military acronyms?), regularly invites employers to participate in a “Boss Lift”.
This past week myself and a couple dozen other employers from the Albuquerque / Rio Rancho NM area were invited to the New Mexico National Guard Headquarters and Training Center in Santa Fe. We received some hands-on experience, training, and exposure to a number of military training scenarios. We got up close and personal with a Blackhawk Helicopter; several Military Humvees with weapons in place; explored a FOB (Forward Operating Base) set up to acclimate outbound soldiers with their living environments in the field; experienced the inside of a Humvee Roll-Over Trainer; and a VCOT (Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer). The group probably split as to the most interesting activity of the day, between rappelling down a 50 ft vertical tower, and firing laser-equiped weapons on the Virtual Firing Range.
Frankly, I was extremely impressed with the quality and technology of the equipment the New Mexico facility utilizes to train our local citizen-soldiers. I had no idea that their “classrooms” had progressed to this degree….
Getting back to the reason for our visit on base: What I took away from the day is that we can all do our part and more, for our friends, family members and employees in the Reserve and National Guard. If you have an opening to fill, consider hiring a Reservist or a Guardsman if possible. If they get called to duty, make sure they know that their job is one less thing they’ll need to worry about when they get back from protecting all of us while deployed. I’d also like to thank Lt. Colonel Shuert, Major General Kenny Montoya, and Gary Kaiser from ESGR for their time and the hospitality they showed our group.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team August 15th, 2010
The City of Rio Rancho is big on parades – including a Christmas Season Parade and a 4th of July Parade, but none of them approach the significance of the annual Memorial Day Parade. With the country slowly withdrawing from one war, and expanding another one, we all had good reason to take some to celebrate the contributions made by our men and women in uniform.
Following the parade there was a ceremony at the Rio Rancho Veteran’s Memorial.
With a high percentage of the active military contingent from New Mexico coming from the state’s National Guard and Reserve forces, we all need to support these organizations, their members and families. We’ll have more about the Guard and Reserves in an upcoming post.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team August 6th, 2010
3 BR 3 BA Approx 2415 Sq Ft 3 Car Garage
You’ll find this Gorgeous Crest-Built home to be a cut above, with its Soaring Living Room, including an Architecturally Unique Wall of Windows. Enjoy the Warm Wood Laminate Flooring, Custom Paint, Solid Surface Kitchen Counters and Newer Stainless Steel Appliances. The 3 Car Garage is Heated and Cooled, with Insulated Doors (great for a workshop). Out back are Large, Mature Trees shading the Lush Green Lawn. Got wheeled toys? Then you will enjoy the Gated Back Yard Access.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team August 6th, 2010
One Saturday, I stopped in at the Idalia Road Marketplace in Rio Rancho to pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables. There were these two guys playing guitar and supplying some really great shopping background music. They were DJ Armijo and William Montgomery. I had my camera in the car, so I asked the guys to play their coolest piece. This is the result…
If you like their stuff, and would like to hire them to perform for you, you can reach them at 505 321 7057.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team August 2nd, 2010
Fenton Lake State Park is located at 7900 feet elevation in the Jemez Mountains, about 65 miles Northwest of Rio Rancho, and about 10 miles off NM Route 4. The park consists of 700 acres of Ponderosa Pine forest and high mountain meadow land, plus about 35 acres of lake. The fishing’s good, and the lake’s stocked regularly with rainbow and brown trout. Supposedly, the fishing’s even better during the winter, (through 2 feet of ice) but I doubt I’ll ever verify that… Small boats are allowed on the lake, but only paddle-powered ones.
There’s a great campground in the park, with 40 developed sites – some with hookups, a playground, a group shelter and restrooms.
Although Cochiti Lake is a shorter distance from Rio Rancho (and a much larger lake), if you want more of a mountain-with-pine-trees environment in which to do some fishing and paddling, Fenton Lake’s the closest.
Watch as the foliage changes with elevation…It’s pretty interesting… Keep your eye out for the hummingbird too!
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.