In my state, New Mexico, the name of the title says it all, “ Land of Enchantment”. Enchantment coming from the Great caverns in southern New Mexico to the open flat plains in Eastern side. As well as the Southern Rocky mountain chain in northern part of the state. The city I stay in is Albuquerque, in the heart of the state, right in the middle of all of these amazing places. The very first place I would explore is Albuquerque. The city has many unique and interesting attractions including the Sandia Mountains, which is 10, 697 ft. up in the air and is the world’s longest tramway cable car. You can take the 15 minute tramcar up and you pass through climate zones from desert to “Alaskan pines” while also seeing a miles of the state from every direction and the city of Albuquerque. When you get up to the top you can explore the crest of the mountain going on overlooks to take scenic pictures, or take a little hike as well as eating at the restaurant has to offer called “ high finance”.
SEMI FINALIST 2013 FTF TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
The next place I would see is “ old town Albuquerque”. It is where the city was originally established and look and learn at all of the historic buildings that are now shops and get that sense of feel that you are back in the 1800’s. The last major attraction I would see is Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Every year the city of Albuquerque holds one of the biggest hot air balloon mass ascensions with over 700 colored and shape balloons. Going to the museum, you will learn the history of balloon and how it all got started and how it leads to Albuquerque and know why this is the best place to hot air balloon. The museum has hands on activities, to real artifacts to demonstrations.
Just north of Albuquerque is where the southern rocky mountain chain comes down from Colorado. There are lots of many small historic towns all around and in the heart of mountains. For example, Taos, Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Red River known as the enchanted circle. Driving through the loop really makes you think you’re in a different country and you would have never have guessed that you’re in New Mexico. Like for example the hills of Switzerland with big green valleys and high mountain peaks etc.… With all of these towns being in the mountains there is so much outdoor activity you can do like white water rafting, hiking, horse back riding, skiing, snowboarding in the winter. But one of my main recommendations is to take the Cumbres and Toltec scenic railroad. It is one of the few running steam locomotives that still run in the country and goes in the heart of the mountains 67 miles of track traveling through valleys, tunnels, and over bridges.
After exploring the northern part of the state I would travel to the southern and western part. The southern part offers mountains as well and also the Carlsbad Caverns, which are magnificent caverns hundreds of feet down seeing all of these different structures of spectacular limestone formations such as this column and array of stalactites. The western part of the state is known for their big open spaces and Indian reservations that the Indians once roamed the land.
Coming to Albuquerque really gives you complete access to every part of the state to experience all of these fantastic sights and attractions that give you a good feel of what the American southwest is really about.
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