New Mexico’s Gila Cliff Dwellings – Free Wheel Drive

Gila Cliff Dwellings - Free Wheel Drive

While staying up late one night during our stay at White Sands, Laura was peering over our atlas for possible routes and potential fun stuff to see before we had to had to be at our next farm. We didn’t do any research on what to do in Southwest New Mexico, but looking at a map there is a ton of public lands with the possibility of fun. One place intrigued us the most, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.

Gila (pronounced Heela) Cliff Dwellings is only 37 miles North of Silver City, Nm, but it takes over an hour and a half to get there. The road up is narrow, winding, and with steep drop-offs inches off the road. The landscape is very different up the mountains of New Mexico. Pine trees, rivers, and the color green. It was actually a welcome sight after being in the desert these last couple of months… minus the colder weather.

By Camrin LaFond – Full Story at Free Wheel Drive

Southwest New Mexico Gay Travel Resources

Dune Sledding at the White Sands National Monument – Free Wheel Drive

White Sands National Monument

Getting to the White Sands National Monument took two hours of driving west out of Roswell. The journey takes you through beautiful rolling hills and river fed farms to the town of Alamogordo, New Mexico.

The city sits in a “landscape bowl” surrounded by mountains and the Tularosa Basin. It’s also the closest city to White Sands National Monument and Holloman Air Force Base. There is an interesting clash of people here with all the military personnel and tourists around.

Alamogordo is also home to McGinn’s Pistachioland, home of the worlds largest Pistachio.

By Camrin LaFond – Full Story at Free Wheel Drive

Southeastern New Mexico Gay Travel Resources

Lesbian Travel: Exploring Carlsbad Caverns National Park – Free Wheel Drive

Lesbian Travel: Exploring Carlsbad Caverns National Park - Free Wheel Drive

On to Carlsbad Caverns National Park! It’s so close to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park that we were able to stay at the same campground just inside of New Mexico from Texas. Carlsbad Caverns National Monument was created in 1923 by President Calvin Coolidge and then it was made into a national park in 1930.

We love a good national park visitor center. They are like little free museums. A great place to learn about the history of the area.

To get into the cave you take a path around the visitor center to the Natural Entrance. Unfortunately, at the beginning of February, the bats have all migrated to Mexico for the winter so we didn’t get to see them fly out.

By Camrin LaFond – Full Story at Free Wheel Drive

Southeastern New Mexico Gay Travel Resources

Rass Mandal – Santa Fe Gay Friendly Vacation Rental

Rass Mandal - Santa Fe Gay Friendly Vacation Rental

Rass Mandal is a unique adobe vacation residence situated on a mountain range of pine forests with spectacular views. Entering brings you to another time and presents a serene and inspiring atmosphere for all. The house and grounds of more than 10 acres offer abundant locations for quiet time. There are numerous hiking & mountain bike trails immediately accessible, some of which take you directly to the center of Santa Fe.

Rass Mandal was built by a direct descendant of the daughter of King Akbar of India, sister to Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal.

It was also featured on HGTV’s House Hunter’s on Vacation with initial airing on June 22nd 2012.

Upon entering the home you encounter a large domed circular living room complete with a fireplace, eastern antique furniture and beautiful views looking out to a pool. This space is ideal for group sessions, gatherings and entertainment. Off to the left of the living room is the dining room and kitchen area. The dining table has room to accommodate 12 and is a great area for entertaining and formal meals. The kitchen is open plan and has a Moroccan style fireplace and a very comfortable breakfast nook ideal for bird watching. Behind the kitchen is a queen size bedroom and a bathroom, secluded from the rest of the house with its own private entrance.

To the right of the living room are guest quarters, each room offers views overlooking the grounds and the entire Santa Fe valley. The master bedroom is complete with a fireplace, a large meditation/work area, beautiful bathroom and sunken Jacuzzi with views. Additionally, there is a 2nd story observation deck that provides expansive views over all of Santa Fe, the Jemez Mountains and beyond. The house is not air conditioned but given the cool evenings it is not actually necessary. Fans are provided should they be desired.

Heading outside, there is a large private pool with waterfall, hot tub and sauna. The pool is heated during the summer months (June 1st – September 30th) – however it is 35,000 gallons and heating is not feasible during the other times. Generally the pool water temperature will be maintained at 78 F in July and August but ranges about 74F – 76F for June and September. The hot tub is kept at 104 F. All this is surrounded by a deck and patio ideal for outdoor dining and relaxation. There is also a gas-fired Fire Pit for enjoyment during the cool evenings.

See the Rass Mandal Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Santa Fe Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

El Morro RV Park and Cabins – Lesbian Owned Resort in Ramah, New Mexico

El Morro RV Park and Cabins

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

El Morro R.V. Park and Cabins is a great get away from the hubbub, psychic noise, and distractions of everyday life for most people. The Park exists as one of the centers of activity for this little community, but more importantly, one can always deepen one’s appreciation for the natural quiet and timeless majesty one finds here. Hike fantastic trails or bike into the Zuni Mountains, or climb El Morro National Monument.

Travel to see the wolves at the Wolf Sanctuary, or birdwatch the many great migrations that pass by or live here. Search for petroglyphs and old pueblo sites, and get in touch with the spirits of the peoples that hunted, lived and prospered here for 12,000 years. These are just a few of the experiences available here that bring one back to oneself. Our cozy, well furnished, modern cabins are an oasis for resting, playing or exploring. Or just pull your rig in, or toss up a tent for a unique and pleasant stay.

El Morro R.V. park boasts the well renowned Ancient Way Cafe, a very popular spot for locals, tourists, and taste seekers. It has an excellent array of breakfast and lunch offerings that fit old standards with southwestern specialties, and the Friday and Saturday night gourmet offerings rival some of the best fusion enticements out there, Spanish meets Navaho meets Old and New World presenta-tions.

The onsite bakery provides an amazing array of sweet tooth goodies that are high quality, from scratch, and original. In an upbeat Cafe,’ with the art of locals festooning the walls, and an exuberant and efficient staff, we are a different kind of outpost than most people expect. We are also Gay owned and managed, and exist in a very supportive community with many other LGBTQ folk.

Other things to do here include a walk of our unique sculpture garden trail. Visit the wellness center called Wave Riders of the Ancient Way (also on the property) to get a psychic reading, or an energy balancing, or to experience other esoteric healing options. Check out the Galleria Carnaval across the street for eye opening art and gifts. Find great shopping for native work at Inscription Rock Trading Center next door, and even more great art, (as well as concerts, festivals, theater productions, workshops, open mic night, and other events ongoing throughout the year} at The Old School Gallery across the street.

There is also the very nice El Morro Market across the street with organic and local goods, as well as specialty goods that you thought you’d never find in the middle of nowhere. Or just sit on your porch and watch the dreamy day go by and have a fire in the fire pit, (weather permitting) and sing campy songs that echo off the mesa wall. So much to do or not do!

See the El Morro RV Park and Cabins
Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Northwest New Mexico

TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD: High Road to Taos

Taos The High Road to Taos of course is the road from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Taos, New Mexico. Actually there are two different ways to drive from Santa Fe to Taos, the High Road or the regular highway. Most people take the High Road to Taos and then take the four lane highway back to Santa Fe. Taos is only 70 miles from Santa Fe and takes just a little over an hour to drive on the four lane highway however it can take 2 1/2 to four hours when taking the High Road which is a very small two lane road that winds thru different very small villages. taosFrom Santa Fe take New Mexico highway 76 all the way to Taos. The High Road to Taos is a scenic, winding road through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains., It winds through high desert, mountains, forests, small farms and tiny Spanish Land Grant villages and Pueblo Indian villages with plenty of galleries and studios selling weavings, hand crafted pottery, woodwork, pottery, paintings, jewelry and other traditional art work of the region. The first village is the Nambe Pueblo which is located about 15 miles north of Santa Fe. It has existed there since the 14th Century. We have been there many times and have seen their native Indian dances and festivals. All visitors and guests are invited to watch the different ceremonial functions that they have throughout the year. The second village is Chimayo where the Ortega weavers are still producing high quality rugs, blankets and a sundry of other items which can be purchased from their gift shop. You will also find the 19th century Santuario de Chimayo Church, known as the “Lourdes of the Southwest” which attracts thousands of visitors every year. Other small villages are Cordova, Truchas and Ojo Sarco which also have native American Indians selling their wares. In Las Trampas, they have one of the oldest churches in the country. It was founded in 1751 and is called Santo Tomas Apostol del Rio de las Trampas. TaosThe village of Truchas is a remarkable village. When we were there many years ago, we got to meet Robert Redford who was directing his movie, The Milagro Beanfield War back in 1988. Of course all of these villages are very small however visitors are made welcome by all of the residents. Then you will approach Taos, New Mexico and you can explore the sights and sounds of that town. Visit the major pueblo there as well as the entire town. Our favorite restaurant in Taos is Orlando’s which has been around forever. Their address is 1114 Don Juan Valdez Lane. Besides having the best authentic food in town they also have a very delicious special dessert, Frozen Avocado Pie! Orlando’s is a very funky place and is always crowded. Their downtown plaza in Taos is a must see. After a driving trip on the High Road to Taos you will come back to Santa Fe with your camera full of photos of fabulous historical places where you have visited and toured. Even if you are not into religion, you will certainly appreciate all of the very old architecture of the area. Then when you return to Santa Fe, ALWAYS stay at the Inn of the Farolito Bed and Breakfast, www.farolito.com It is the finest accommodations in Santa Fe. Wayne and Walt have owned and operated the Inn for many years and guests always stay with them whenever they return to Santa Fe. We have been visiting Santa Fe for over 30 years and always find it so refreshing and always see new things and meet new people every time we go back. Don and RayAlways remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married). Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

Taos Gay Travel Resources
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Slip Away to Santa Fe

Santa Fe Long famed as a magnet for artists seeking sunny skies, Santa Fe conjures up images of Georgia O’Keefe, flashes of turquoise, and earthen architecture. So it should come as no surprise that the city has the most art galleries and museums per capita in the entire country. Fewer people realize that Santa Fe is as much an adventure sports center as it is a haven for artistic pursuits. Come December, the dusty desert town takes advantage of its sky-high elevation and offers some first-class powder at Ski Santa Fe (SkiSantaFe.com) with none of the insane lift lines endemic to many resort towns. Do a few runs on the beginner’s Santa Fe trail or risk it all on a black diamond, then hunker down at the lodge for a local beer. The perfect tonic for those apres ski sore muscles is Ten Thousand Waves (TenThousandWaves.com), a Japanese spa offering massages anchored around a communal soaking tub.

By Greg Garry – Full Story at Out

Santa Fe Gay Travel Resources

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White Sands, New Mexico – Globetrotter Girls

White Sands, New Mexico For my road trip from Tucson to Austin I was stoked about the two stops me and my passenger would make along the way: Big Bend National Park in Texas for the Santa Elena Canyon hike, and White Sands in New Mexico, which I had already visited during my New Mexico road trip a few years ago, and which I loved. That shouldn’t come as a surprise – White Sands is a desert after all, and as many of you know I love deserts. White Sands with its bright white dunes is truly special, something I’ve never seen anywhere in the world (not even on photos of deserts around the world, but tell me if you know of any other white deserts so that I can add them to my travel wish list!). I was excited to go on another hike in White Sands – and this time in a bit cooler weather (last time I came here it was over 100*F /38*C and we actually had to turn around before finishing the trail). Even though dune after dune might seem repetitive, no dune is like the other, and every time you climb up a dune, you have yet another sweeping view ahead of you.

By AUTHOR – Full Story at SOURCE

LOCATION Gay Travel Resources

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City Sundays: Santa Fe

peppers Hey all, Welcome to our weekly series on the blog and our Facebook travel groups – City Sundays. Each week we’ll select a different LGBT friendly city to talk about, and we’ll invite our innkeeper and travel agent/tour operator friends to come talk with us about it as well. Santa Fe is a quintessential Southwestern city. As the oldest state capital in the country, it’s steeped in history, both of the Native American peoples who lived in the area first and the Mexican and American settlers who followed. It’s comfortable even in the middle of the summer, and has its own (delicious) cuisine. Have you ever been? What did you do while you were there? Do you wanna go? Let’s chat! Join the conversation here: Gay (Men) Travelers: Gay Travel Club Lesbian Travelers: Lesbian Travel Club Transgender Travelers: Transgender Travel Club Bisexual Travelers: Bi Travel Club LGBT Families: LGBT Families Travel Club Check out our Santa Fe page here: https://www.purpleroofs.com/usa/newmexico/nmsantafe.html And our Santa Fe articles on the blog here: https://www.purpleroofs.com/gay-travel-blog/?s=Santa+fe]]>