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September
13, 1999
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The Clearing Storm |
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A thunderstorm passed over us as we drove north from Albuquerque
on the storied Turquoise
Trail. Clouds were so low they blocked
the countryside. As suddenly as it came, it went. Here, the sun re-appears
as the storm moves on.
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From the earliest days, turquoise was important to the Indians of New Mexico. It was a medium of exchange among the Ancient Ones. The Apache believed it helped warriors and hunters to aim accurately. The Zuni believed that it protected them from demons. For the Navajos, turquoise was a symbol of hope and peace. |
New Mexico highway 14, which runs through the eastern foothills of the Sandia Mountains, is the back country scenic route from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. It is named for the turquoise for which New Mexican jewelry is famous and which has been mined for centuries at Los Cerrillos, one of the towns along the way. Cedar Crest and Tijeras have developed in recent years as skiing has become popular in the Sandias. Madrid is a former coal mining town which closed down after World War II. In the 1950s, it became a ghost town and remained so until it was partially restored by artists and craftspersons. Artists and artisans have recently converted old buildings into studios and shops. Today, Madrid is a small art colony, a tourist stop and wide spot on the Turquoise Trail. |
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San Francisco Catholic Church and Cemetery, Golden,
New Mexico
In 1880, the gold mining town of Golden, New Mexico had grown to the point that it got its own post office. By 1928, the mines had run out, Golden had almost disappeared and the post office was closed. The church was constructed in the early 1830's. A few buildings are still standing today, and one report says the post office has been reinstated, although I did not see it on September 13, 1999, and the USPS does not list one today. |
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Photographer Unknown | ||
No Pity Cafe
Madrid, New Mexico Madrid was once known around the world for its Christmas decorations and festivities. At one time it had 50,000 Christmas lights and an illuminated "City of Jerusalem." Cross country airlines rerouted their flights over the town at night. And sometimes traffic backed up over 25 miles to the state highway (now Interstate 25) as people drove to Madrid to see the displays. We had lunch here at the No Pity Cafe because I could not resist the restaurant's name. |
![]() September 13, 1999 |
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Rest Rooms in Madrid
After lunch at the Ghost Town Kitchen, we asked
about rest rooms. They said they had none but they had an arrangement with
the Madrid Company Store across the road. Brian found them.
I bought a hat at Maya Jones. The owner told me she got started by importing clothing from Guatemala. She has obviously expanded her supply source. My hat came from Bali, Indonesia. |
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September 13, 1999 | ||
Twenty three miles south of Santa Fe, on a dirt road a few minutes from highway 14, is the tiny town of Los Cerrillos ("little hills"). Turquoise is still mined there today, as it was in the days of the ancient Anasazi. At its peak, Los Cerrillos allegedly had 21 saloons and 4 hotels. |
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September 13, 1999 |
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September 13, 1999
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Email:
Elizabeth Anne VanderPutten