Round Rio Rancho

Who knew being Mayor of Rio Rancho, NM was such a multi-discipline endeavor… On Saturday Mayor Gregg Hull performed in the Duke City Dance Off competition as part of the 11th Annual Day of Dance. The event was sponsored by Lovelace Women’s Hospital at the Albuquerque Embassy Suites Hotel. With his partner, Charity Tafoya, a professional at the Arthur Murray studio in Rio Rancho, Mayor Hull performed a progressive two-step to the tune of Boot Scootin’ Bogie. How did he do? Judge for yourself…

Three years ago, neighbors Shawn Novick and Craig Arroyo decided to run strings of Christmas lights from roof peak to roof peak across Reynosa Loop (in the Cabezon Subdivision of Rio Rancho, NM) as a novel decoration. Neighbors joined them, not only stepping up their house decorations but adding more strings of lights over the street. Their decorating has gotten some press, and now residents on neighboring streets have started doing it too. We have not seen this anywhere else in town, and we want to celebrate those in our community that go a little above and beyond in their efforts to make this a better or more interesting place to live.

The City of Rio Rancho has two libraries, the Loma Colorado Main Library and the Esther Bone Memorial Library. Both facilities way exceed the average community library as far as facilities, programs and materials available to check out. The Rio Rancho community continues to invest in upgrades and updates to its two libraries, and thousands of patrons are reaping the rewards every month.

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.

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.

3 Bedrooms; 2 Bathrooms; 1395 SF; 2 Car Garage

Located just a few blocks from Hwy 528, grocery stores and shopping, this home really shines! The glossy black tile kitchen backsplash extends to surround the dining room and laundry areas. This design statement continues into both baths, with black tile w/ white veins surrounding the master bath and tub and provides a strong accent in the hall bath as well. The stainless steel kitchen appliances, including a refrigerator, and a newer washer/dryer pair all convey. Additional upgrades include 6 panel doors throughout, a large pantry, custom kitchen cabinets, refrigerated A/C, an alarm system including exterior security cameras and a DVR to display and record the camera views, plus a finished garage with epoxied floor. The home will really grab you, so be sure to see it! See more at:

4 Bedrooms; 3 Bathrooms; 2208 SF; 2 Car Garage

New carpet, new hard flooring and lots of fresh paint throughout. Newer York Refrigerated A/C and Forced Air Furnace with Humidifier(2010). You’ll love the Wrap Around Covered Patio downstairs and the Covered View Deck upstairs off two of the bedrooms. There’s a Water Softener, six Ceiling Fans. Got some extra rolling stock? There’s easy back yard access. This home is clean, shiny and ready to move into! See more at: http://www.markandsheilateam.idxco.com/idx/5376/details.php?listingID=820319&idxID=081

2 or 3 Bedrooms; 2 Baths; 1401 SF; 2 Car Garage

Gorgeous Paul Allen energy efficient home built to Gold standard. With granite kitchen counters, modern black appliances, stacked stone accents, a tankless water heater, extra insulation and more, this home is hard to beat! The back yard has an extended patio and beautiful landscaping. The den/office could easily be converted to a third bedroom. There’s already a closet. All this home needs is a new owner! See more at: http://www.markandsheilateam.idxco.com/idx/5376/details.php?listingID=821198&idxID=081

3 Bedrooms; 2 Baths; 1886 SF; 2 Car Garage

This gorgeous Charter built home in the heart of High Resort Village is second to none. The kitchen has been transformed with silestone counter tops, stainless steel appliances plus a new sink and faucet. In the living room and hallways the flooring is bamboo wood. Everywhere else but the smaller bedrooms there’s beautiful custom ceramic tile. On cold winter nights you can enjoy the gas log fireplace in either the living room or master bedroom. Outside, have coffee on the brick and concrete patios and admire your flower garden. This home is special. Come take a look! – See more at: http://www.markandsheilateam.idxco.com/idx/5376/details.php?listingID=812939&idxID=081#sthash.Ffpbif65.tm3JnDS2.dpuf

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.

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.

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

3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, 1648 Sq Ft (approx)

New carpet, fresh paint, no polybutylene pipe and so warm and inviting! The private back yard includes a shed with power, an open deck and lots of pine trees. Refrigerated A/C keeps you cool even on humid days. The kitchen has tons of storage and a new Bosch dishwasher was recently installed. There’s a large workshop in the garage and so much more here!

3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, 2 Car Garage, 1502 Square Feet (approx)

When you walk into this home, two things will grab your attention: The gleaming honey-colored wood flooring, and the warmth emanating from the freestanding wood stove in the living room. Even a small smoldering log will keep things warm for a long time… To the right is the large, open kitchen with a stainless steel stove, and the formal dining room with a pass through from the kitchen – both with ceramic tile. To the left are the bedrooms and the two baths. The carpet in the bedrooms and lots of the paint is new as of Fall 2013. Outside, there is back yard access with space to store extra vehicles or boats . The patio is covered, overlooking the fully landscaped yard, with pathways, sitting areas, grass, trees and a small
storage shed. Come take a look!

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

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.