When the skies darken and the snow starts falling we tend to do one of two things. Either a sigh that blends into a groan is heard, or it could be the "Yeesss!!!" of a snowbunny that rebounds off the walls. Sometimes it's a mixture of both and sounds kind of like this - "Yaayyhuuuuuuhhhhmmmmm". The prospect of having to trudge through the snow to scrape off the ice that has collected on the windshield and putting cumbersome chains on tires seems to be a heavy price to pay for an hour of frolicking in the snow. Once we get out there, though, the smiles come out and the laughter becomes priceless.
Everyone has his own speed. I love the photos below. I tend to vacillate between the two. A cozy chair-sled sounds great to me on most days, but the thrill of a speedy downhill ride with the pine trees whooshing past entices the little kid in me, too.
Ruidoso has a relatively new recreation area that has been well received by those who love to play in the snow but don't necessarily want to ski or snowboard. It's called Ruidoso Winter Park and is located off Highway 48 at the bottom of Ski Run Road. They provide innertubes and a conveyor lift to haul you back up the hill. Hours will vary based on weather conditions. Visit their website for a rundown on prices, or give them a call. Ruidoso Winter Park can be a great alternative for the little guys or those of us who love tubing.
Ruidoso Winter Park:
(575) 336-7079
Located 1/4 mile west of Highway 48 on Ski Run Road.
The holidays are upon us, and Ruidoso has plenty of activities for the whole family. Beginning November 21, the Festival of Lights will present the annual Lighting of the Village at dusk. Take a drive through Mid-town to view Ruidoso in all it's splendor.
November 29, Parks and Recreation will officially welcome the holiday season with the Lighting of the Park at Schoolhouse Park next to the community swimming pool. The yule logs are lit around 5:30, Christmas tree lights come on at 6:17, and Santa makes an early appearance to visit with the kids before the big night. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served while the middle school choir sings for the crowd. These events are both free to the public, so come celebrate with us!
December 1 brings another flurry of activity to Ruidoso with the Village Faire at the River Crossing. Merchants bringing their wares of wood carvings, sculptures, weavings, quilts, and many other fine arts will be waiting to delight you. There will be live Victorian drama, storytellers, and horse drawn carriage rides. You won't want to miss it!! For more information go to http://www.ruidoso.net/villagefaire/.
Angus Church of the Nazarene will be presenting its third annual Walk Through Bethlehem just off of Highway 48 north of Ruidoso. A breathtaking recreation of the time when Christ arrived is presented free of charge to all who wish to take the journey. With live animals, stunning costumes, and an ability to interact with the merchants you'll find yourself wanting to take the tour more than once. This truly is a unique event that your whole family will enjoy. You can take the journey from 6pm-8pm on the following dates: November 30, December 1, 2, 6, 7, & 9 at the Angus Church of the Nazarene near the intersection of Highway 48 and 37. Call (575) 336-8032 for more information.
December 8 the Electric Light Parade will take place in Mid-town beginning at 6pm. Fantastic floats make their way from the corner of Sudderth Drive and Mechem down to the Chamber of Commerce. Make sure you bring a warm coat and a cup of hot cider! For more Festival of Light events visit www.RuidosoFOL.org.
Though there are plenty of other activities that you can choose from while you are in town, I do recommend one unique event to the area. If there is plenty of snow, Ski Apache will be hosting the Ski Apache Torch Light Run on December 22. The event kicks off at 5pm with a drummer playing and vendors selling Indian fry bread and other snacks. Please try to arrive no later than 5 pm. Skiers bearing torches will descend down the mountain with choreographed moves casting light and shadows in a beautiful "dance". It will be a breathtaking sight to be sure.
We wish you a very happy and safe holiday season.
Here is a short slide-show of Ruidoso and the surrounding area. You may have to press "Play" twice in the center of the screen to begin the video. Thanks for watching!
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When in New Mexico, the most important question you'll be asked is, "Red or green?". Friend, we're not talking about your favorite color or the dominant color in your home around the Christmas holiday last year. "Red or green" is your preferred choice of chile, and yes, there is a difference. The green chile is New Mexico's largest agricultural crop and is typically harvested in the summer. New Mexicans eat it with pretty much every meal and in almost every dish. With an arsenal of chiles by our side, we make green chile enchilades, green chile stew, rellenos (stuffed and battered green chiles), and some even make green chile jam. By late summer, the green chile has ripened and begun to change to a deep red, almost purple hue. The flavor has shifted from a plump, organic taste to a sweeter, milder one. As a rule of thumb you should usually ask the server at the restaurant which is hotter. Both chiles can be hot, but depending on the batch and where it came from may determine which one will fire you up more. The red chile is most often peeled, boiled, and blended with herbs to create a delictable sauce used in enchilades or other New Mexican dishes.
There are many, many varieties of chile peppers to choose from. Hatch, New Mexico is one of most famous of chile growing locations in the world due to the fact that they are constantly in search of new varieties and breeds. Some of the most popular chile varieties are the Big Jim, Anaheim, Espanola, Sandia, and New Mexico 6. Other chile varieties include the Chipotle, Cayenne, Cherry, Habanero, Fresno, Pequin, and Poblano. For a more comprehensive look at the history and anatomy of chile Click here.
Ruidoso has many fine (New) Mexican restaurants. I've included some of my favorites below. We hope you visit at least a few so that you may get a well-rounded experience of New Mexican cuisine and our fine chile.
LUCY'S MEXICALI RESTAURANT: 2408 SUDDERTH DRIVE
Phone: 575-257-8754
CASA BLANCA: 501 MECHEM DRIVE
Phone: 575-257-2495
CHILEOS: 135 W. HIGHWAY 70
Phone: 575-378-4033
OLE TACO: 319 SUDDERTH DRIVE
Phone: 575-257-5040
OLD ROAD RESTAURANT: 692 OLD ROAD MESCALERO, NM
Phone: 575-464-4674
I know. I can't believe it either. All my life I've lived with "505" as my area code, and now I'm being forced out of my comfy "505" into the big "575". I guess this means New Mexico is growing up. Sigh.
Beginning October 7, 2007 New Mexico will be split into two area codes. Northwestern New Mexico including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Farmington, and Gallup will keep the "505" number while the remainder of the state changes to the tune of "575". The good news is that we have almost a year of grace before "575" becomes mandatory.
What this means is that beginning October 7, 2007 and ending October 5, 2008 residents who will eventually be using the "575" area code will be able to use either one. We will have a year to inform our loved ones out of state and our business clients, or put ourselves back on the "Do Not Call" list. After October 5, 2008 callers will get a recorded message to redial the number using "575", and by January 11, 2009 the change will be complete. At that time if you try to call someone in the affected area using the old area code you may get a surprise and find out that Grandma's phone number has been taken over by some guy named Bud. Do yourself a favor and check out the map of the changes here. Grandma will thank you.
Oktoberfest originally began when Prince Ludwig of Bavaria wanted to share his wedding celebration to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen with his people. On October 12, 1810 about 40,000 guests arrived for the merriment and more than a few characteristics of the original event have remained in what is now called Oktoberfest. These include consumption of copious amounts of beer, sausages, wursts, and chicken. And who can forget the music and dancing?
People all over the world have kept the tradition. In the U.S., Cincinnati, Ohio draws about 500,000 people to its Oktoberfest. While Ruidoso could never entertain the possibility of hosting that many people, we open the Convention Center doors to all who have a craving for a beer and "brat".
This year, Ruidoso's Oktoberfest will be held October 19 & 20 at the Ruidoso Convention Center. The celebration begins at 5:00 p.m. October 19 and lasts until 11:00 p.m. On Saturday the festivities run from noon to 11:00 p.m. The Ruidoso Convention Center is located at 111 Sierra Blanca Drive adjacent to the Links Golf Course. Tickets will be sold at the door. Admission price is $7 for one day, $12 for both days. Kids ages 13 to 18 can get in for $3, and children age 12 and under get in free. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. We hope to see you there!
Well it's that time of year again. The second weekend of October is when Ruidoso and the surrounding communities celebrate the American cowboy at the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium. This is the 18th annual celebration, and it promises to be just as sensational this year as in years gone by. With a weekend medley of music, authentic chuckwagon cook-offs, cowboy poetry, horsemanship demonstrations, and craftsmen, you will have plenty to do and see.
The weekend kicks off at 9:00 a.m. on October 12 and ends Sunday afternoon October 14 at the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack. This year's performers will include Johnny Bush & The Bandoleros, Lynn Anderson, Red Steagall, Tommy Allsup, and Leon Rausch & the Texas Playboys. General admission tickets per day are $18 each. Concerts, meals, and package tickets are sold separately. For more information on schedules and ticket prices, please visit http://www.cowboysymposium.org/index.asp . Come and be a part of the celebration!
One of the joys of Ruidoso is that its residents love to have a reason to celebrate any occasion. Ruidoso offers everything from antique car shows, arts and craft shows, light parades, and chili cook-offs to cowboy poetry slams. (Stay tuned for more on cowboy poetry in our next article). The calendar stays full year round. Every autumn the town gets together for a parade through Mid-town and day of events to applaud Nature in her golden splendor as the aspens change hues. We call it Aspenfest.
This October 6 at 10 a.m. the parade will begin on the corner of Sudderth and Mechem Drive and end at the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce. This year's theme is A Red, White, and Blue Ruidoso Valley. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three floats. We have some very creative people who contribute to the parade. You won't want to miss it!
Some of the other events listed above will also be taking place that weekend. The arts and crafts show will be held at Schoolhouse Park on Sudderth Drive Saturday 9-5:30 and Sunday 9-5. Admission is $2 adults, free if you're under age 12. The Rod Run Car Show was relocated from the center of town a few years ago to its new location at the racetrack. It will also take place on Saturday and admission is free. For you chili fans, the Chili Cook-off has moved to the Little Creek RV Park on Airport Road (Hwy 220).You can contact Rick Thomas (Chili Cook-off) at 575-336-8399 for more information.
On January 6, 1912 New Mexico became the 47th state of the Union with Sante Fe as its capital. According to the 2000 census New Mexico's population is 1,819,046. With a heavy mix of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican influences, New Mexico is known for its cultural diversity and brilliant colors. We hope you fall as much in love with our state as we have.
Below we have included a beautiful video clip for you to get a taste of the cultural and visual gems New Mexico has to offer. Please be patient. It may take a few minutes to load. Comments are welcome.
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Sometimes you just have to get a brief picture of the facts before deciding to relocate. Here are a few area statistics provided below.
The following information has been provided by www.city-data.com:
For more information of this kind, Click here .
County population in 2005: 21,007 (48% urban, 52% rural)
County owner-occupied houses and condos: 6,332
Renter-occupied apartments: 1,870
| % of renters here: |  23% |
| State: |  30% |
Land area: 4831 sq. mi.
Water area: 0.3 sq. mi.
| Population density: 4 people per square mile | | (very low). |
Residents with income below the poverty level in 1999:
| This county: | 14.9% |
| Whole state: | 18.4% |
Residents with income below the 50% of the poverty level in 1999:
| This county: | 5.2% |
| Whole state: | 7.8% |
Industries providing employment: Educational,health and social services (16.7%), Arts,entertainment,recreation,accommodation and food services (16.3%), Retail trade (15.2%), Construction (11.7%).
Type of workers:
- Private wage or salary: 66%
- Government: 17%
- Self-employed, not incorporated: 16%
- Unpaid family work: 1%
Races in Lincoln County, New Mexico:
- White Non-Hispanic (70.9%)
- Hispanic (25.6%)
- Other race (11.3%)
- American Indian (2.9%)
- Two or more races (2.5%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
| Median resident age: | 43.8 years |
| New Mexico median age: | 34.6 years |
| Males: 9,503 |  (49.0%) |
| Females: 9,908 |  (51.0%) |
Average wage per job in 2003: $22,469
County population in 2003: 20,316
Jobs in 2003: 7,462
ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Many of us know that aside from the mild weather, many golf courses, racetrack, and casinos, Ruidoso also has plenty to offer the kids. Sometimes it's hard to get away in the summer when you're vacationing with minors. What if there isn't much for them to do? Is it really worth the effort of getting there, only to discover that the closest the kids will get to having an adventure will be the hotel swimming pool? Thankfully, that's not the case with the Ruidoso area. If you're willling to get out and do a little exploring, you might be surprised at what Lincoln County has to offer.
Before strapping the kids in the car, driving out of town, and then hiking 20 miles up a mountain, consider your children's fitness level and attention span. Though Ruidoso and the surrounding areas have plenty of trails to choose from, (you can pick up a topo map for $9 at 729 Mechem Drive), there are a few places you can find right in town that give you the sense of being in the woods.
Directly behind the US Forest Service building, ( 729 Mechem Drive), you can walk a 1.3 mile trail with a .25 mile loop in its center. It's quiet, shaded, and can be relatively easy on the little guys. Just bring plenty of water, good walking shoes, and keep an eye out for deer. They seem to like that area, too.
If your kids are not interested in the rugged outdoor experience, Ruidoso has a great swimming pool with a huge slide. Unfortunately, it is only open July through early August from 12-4 PM.
Just up the road from the swimming pool you can find the local park with swings, sand, and a slide for the 10 and under crowd. The Rio Ruidoso river runs alongside the park, and kids love to play in it, so a change of dry clothes and shoes is always a good idea. Bring a picnic lunch, and make a day of it. Tables, and some shaded pavilions are provided.
Ruidoso also has its own family entertainment complex called Pillow's FunTrackers. It is located on Carrizo Canyon Road, next to Pizza Hut. The property is home to 3 Go Kart tracks, an 18-hole miniature golf course, bumper boats, a giant maze, climbing wall, game room, and mechanical bull. Funtracker's is open daily all summer 10am to 10pm; weekends all year, weather permitting. Tickets must be individually purchased for each activity.
I've run out of time for now, but check back soon to see additional posts about things for kids to do in Ruidoso and Lincoln County.
If you're looking to find a good chillin' spot in town, Ruidoso's coffee houses provide just that.
Just this year we got our first Starbucks. You can get a tasty and convenient venti vanilla decaf latte at the local Starbucks drive-through, or step inside for a pastry or two. The staff - of all ages, I might add - is incredibly friendly. (I wonder if that's mainly because New Mexicans just can't help it?)
At the corner of our two main intersections, Sudderth and Mechem Drive, you can zip on in to Sacred Grounds for some stimulating conversation with the locals. Bring your laptop along and hook up to their free Wi-Fi. They also have delicious wraps, soups, and quiches for those who are in need of more than just a cup of joe.
Travel down Sudderth Drive a bit and your ears get treated to the sound of a guitar, drum, and if you're lucky, the ethereal sound of a flute. Recently, the local talent has found a new venue at the Dreamcatcher Cafe. The owners, Lynn and Traci, have remodeled the building that used to be known as Fenton's Gallery into a fantastic coffee house with an outdoor patio for musicians to jam. It's a nice treat in the summer evenings if you're looking for somewhere to hang out in Mid-town.
One other local gem is the Roastery located on Rio Street just a hop and a skip from the Mid-town sidewalk. Are you an early riser? Stop in early for an espresso and biscotti before you hit the road. The grounds are fresh and the staff is great. Drive by....take a whiff. 
There are plenty of cool hang-outs in town. Explore. Discover. Stay posted if you don't feel like moving....we'll show you around.
Ruidoso is known for a variety of outdoor activities that appeal to both visitors and residents alike, mainly due to the favorable climate conditions it has through most of the year. For golfers, that is especially true. There are a number of courses to play on, and the cool climate conditions are often very desirable in the summer time, and also during spring and fall. Ruidoso has scenic mountain courses, at around 7000 ft. elevation, some of which offer a new set of challenges for visiting golfers.
The Inn of The Mountain Gods - located on the Mescelaro Apache Tribal lands just south of Ruidoso, is one of the areas best known public courses. The course was designed by Ted Robinson, constructed within a canyon at 7000 foot elevation, and has been ranked among New Mexico’s top courses on several occasions, and even in the nation's top 25. The scenery surrounding the IMG course is truly spectacular, with Sierra Blanca Peak in the background. Tall Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees are abundant around the course, with a nearby lake located adjacent to the IMG's main resort hotel and casino.
This course is considered to be most challenging, with fast greens, sloping fairways and known for trees and water hazards, in addition to deer and elk that are often seen on the course. The course is 18 holes of 6834 yards long, rated 70.2, and slope of 128. Visit the Inn's main web site at: http://www.innofthemountaingods.com/golf.asp for more information.
Cree Meadows Golf Course is a semi-private country club and golf course open to the public, and is one of the areas older courses. Cree Meadows is an outstanding course featuring narrow tree-lined fairways and fast, gently sloped greens. The surrounding scenery includes Sierra Blanca Peak to the west, while the course layout includes tall Ponderosa pine and Aspen trees. Several water features are included, adding to the challenge, however the course is fairly easy to walk, making it attractive to seniors and family play. Cree's signature hole is number 17, a 150 yard par 3, requiring a tee shot over water to a small green. PUBLIC, 18 holes, 5766 yards, rating 66.4, slope 104. Cree Meadows includes a restaurant and lounge, call their golf shop for more information at 575-257-5815.
The Links at Sierra Blanca
Designed by Senior Tour Pro Jim Colbert, the Links at Sierra Blanca golf course opened in 1991. The course design is in the classic Scottish links style, with rolling fairways flanked by thick mounds and large undulating greens. The 18-hole public course measures 6,793 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 71 and it has a slope rating of 121 on Bent grass. The Links at Sierra blanca consistently been ranked as one of the Best Courses in New Mexico by Golf Digest Magazine. This course is one of the premier public course in southern New Mexico and was nominated to the Golf Digest list of best new public courses in 1991. It was rated 7th best course in New Mexico and was awarded 3 1/2 stars by Golf Digest in 1995. For more information call the Links at 575-258-5330, or visit online at: http://linksatsierrablanca.com/Home.html 
Alto Lakes Golf and Country Club – is a private club, featuring an 18 hole, Par-71 course, measuring 6539 yards from the black tees. The course was designed by Ken Dye and features incredible mountain views from the front nine holes which are layed out mostly on a flat mesa to the back nine which feature valleys, hills, beautiful scenery along with some very challenging holes. The back nine is rated as one of New Mexico's best.
PRIVATE CLUB, 18 holes, 6593 yards, rating 70.1, slope 128 Phone (575) 336-4231 for the club, or visit online at: http://www.altolakesgolf.com/
Kokopelli Golf Course – a private club, that opened in 1999. Kokopelli is an 18 hole executive golf course located opposite Alto Lakes Country Club. For more information call (575) 336-7843, or visit online.
Buying a home today can leave buyers exhausted from dealing with a long list of issues a home purchase may involve. Recently, inspections have begun to play a major role in assuring the quality of the home and its improvements. Even though a final walk through inspection of the property is normally held prior to closing, a much more detailed inspection, by a licensed (and reputable) home inspector may be needed prior to the walkthrough. 
A home inspector is a 3rd party, who is contractually hired by YOU, and represents you rather than the seller, the builder, the realtors, or the mortgage company.
A good inspector should be experienced at finding issues that often go unnoticed by the potential buyer.
Here are just a few of the many items that a buyer or home inspector should check:
Crawl spaces and attics (may reveal water leaks, insulation problems, wiring defects, insect damage)
Plumbing fixtures (run the faucets; flush the toilets; check for water pressure, drains, RUN the water, both hot and cold)
Heating systems, AC units (may require a more detailed checkup )
A very informative discussion thread over at Lifehacker includes reader’s comments and tips on how to get the most from walkthroughs and home inspections prior to closing on a home purchase.
With real estate sales now in a slow down, home owners who are spending additional money on upgrades, hoping to gain a higher return on a future sale, might look closely at which projects are typically the most profitable.
Adding a new kitchen or deck may be investment dollars well spent, but some projects may not pay, or in fact lose money.
"Four Renovations that Kill a Home's Value" was the recent headline of an article at Money.Cnn.com, which looks closely at cost vs. reward when spending additional upgrade dollars.