by Rachel Mercik

Created on: March 05, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

New Mexico is a blending of cultures which occurred far before the United States was formed in the late 1700s. It's native inhabitants peacefully existed with nature here much as they did across the rest of the American continent. It wasn't until colonial times, aided by the exploration of Christopher Columbus and Hernando Cortez, that the Spanish moved up through Mexico, colonizing on behalf of their King. As such, New Mexico maintains much of the cultural characteristics begun by the Native Americans and usurped by the Spanish and American colonies.

Native tribes were so enraged by the colonization that they laid a curse onto anyone who chooses to live there. As lore has it, anyone who lives in New Mexico is cursed to live there forever and be unable to leave, or, if they do escape, will be haunted by its memory and always long to return. As one of many people who have lived there and left, I can vouch for the this.

The beauty of New Mexico is timeless and surreal. As many writers before have elated- the strange beauty of the land keeps you enchanted. The animals that live in this state are unreal, from the massive winged Great Horned Owl, Big Horned sheep, and gothic black Ebert's squirrels with their tufted ears. Near Albuquerque, you can see all of this with a sweep from Tijeras and the Cibola national forest in the east to the Petroglyph national monument to the west of the city.

Albuquerque is the big city of New Mexico. Two main interstates, I-25 and I-40, traverse New Mexico and meet here, the city known by its lovers and haters as "Burque". Albuquerque is a metro-oasis with UNM, hob nobbing eateries in the "Nob Hill" neighborhood, eclectic art galleries, the old world feel of the north valley and old town, the fancy houses of "The Heights", the Sandia Tramway and Ski area, the "student ghetto" outside of the university and "downtown" which hosts the Burque zoo. If you like to skateboard, challenge yourself to hamburger toes at the Indian School ditch or skate bowls and ledges at Los Altos skatepark.

Route 66 also delves into Burque, stopping by seedy motels and prostitution hotbeds until it passes the university and must-stop Frontier Restaurant (homemade tortilla breakfast burritos, anyone?), the 66 Diner, catching a show at The Launchpad or grabbing a hip drink at Burt's Tiki Lounge. Be sure to pick up some fresh roasted piñon nuts along the way. 

Next, we will take I-25 into beautiful northern New Mexico. We pass near Los Alamos, where

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