rearranging info per Wikivoyage:Region article template
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Revision as of 23:44, 5 December 2015
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==Towns==
==Towns==
[[File:Shiprock.snodgrass3.jpg|thumb|300px|Shiprock]]
[[File:Shiprock.snodgrass3.jpg|thumb|300px|Shiprock]]
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* [[
Crownpoint
]]
+
*
'''
[[
Cuba (New Mexico)|Cuba
]]
''' - A small town that's the only place of substance along US 550 between the Albuquerque region and the Farmington area.
−
* [[
Cuba
(New Mexico)|Cuba
]]
+
*
'''
[[
El
Morro
]]
''' - Home to the '''El Morro National Monument''', which preserves a sandstone bluff on which ancient people, early Spanish explorers, and pioneers carved inscriptions.
−
* [[
El
Morro
]]
+
*
'''
[[
Farmington
(New Mexico)|Farmington
]]
''' - The largest community in the region, noted as a gateway to the Navajo Nation and one of the top places to obtain Navajo artwork. This guide also covers the nearby towns of '''Aztec''', '''Bloomfield''', and '''Shiprock''', and their own associated attractions, including the impressive pueblo ruins of '''Aztec Ruins National Monument''' and the spectacular monolith of Shiprock.
−
* [[
Farmington
(New
Mexico)|Farmington
]],
including
the
nearby
towns
of
Aztec
,
Bloomfield
, and
Shiprock
+
*
'''
[[
Gallup]]'''
- An important gateway to the Navajo Nation along I-40 and old [[Route
66
]],
noted
for
its
numerous
trading
posts
,
flea market
, and
Indian-themed gift shops, as well as lovely red-rock scenery surrounding town.
−
* [[
Gallup
]]
+
*
'''
[[
Grants
]]
''' - A former mining town along I-40 that's a useful jumping-off point to area attractions. Nearby '''Mount Taylor''', northeast of town, is the highest mountain in the region and offers hiking, fishing, and camping opportunities.
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* [[Grants]]
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* [[Zuni Pueblo]]
==Other destinations==
==Other destinations==
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+
[[File:Kiva (4335103926).jpg|thumb|350px|Chaco Culture National Historical Park]]
−
*
Aztec
Ruins
National
Monument
+
*
'''[[Chaco
Culture
National
Historical Park]]''' - Far out in the boonies lies this exceptionally large and interesting array of archaeological sites; the remnants of an ancient civilization that once occupied this region.
−
* [[
Chaco
Culture
National
Historical Park
]]
+
*
'''
[[
El
Malpais
National
Monument
]]
''' - Preserves a recent (in geologic terms) lava flow, a sandstone ridge, and a series of lava-tube caves that beckon the desert hiker.
−
* [[
El
Malpais National Monument
]]
+
*
'''
[[
Four
Corners
]]
''' - The site where four states — Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah — meet.
−
* [[
Four
Corners
]]
+
*
'''
[[
Navajo
Nation
]]
''' - Occupying much of the region, the Navajo Nation is the single largest Native American reservation in the United States. This guide offers info on the local culture, as well as good places to purchase traditional Navajo artwork.
−
* [[
Navajo
Nation
]]
+
*
For a different taste of American Indian culture, three of New Mexico's '''
[[
New
Mexico Pueblos|pueblos
]]
''' are in this region. '''Zuni Pueblo''' is located south of Gallup and is famed for its local pottery, jewelry and small carved figures (known as fetishes). '''Acoma Pueblo''' and '''Laguna Pueblo''' are situated off of I-40 east of Grants, with Acoma famed for its historic settlement perched high atop a mesa. Both Acoma and Laguna also operate casinos, the Sky City Casino and the Dancing Eagle Casino, respectively, along I-40 a short distance from each other. More detailed information can be found in the [[New Mexico Pueblos]] guide.
−
* [[Route 66]]
==Understand==
==Understand==
−
This region is bounded on the north by [[Colorado]] and the west by [[Arizona]]. Southern and eastern boundaries are indistinct. For purposes of this article, everything south of Interstate highway 40 (following historic Route 66) is considered to be in [[Southwest New Mexico | southwestern New Mexico]], with the exceptions of [[El Malpais National Monument]] owing to its association with the definitely northwestern town of Grants, and Zuni Pueblo owing to its location amid outlying sections of Navajo Nation. The eastern boundary is taken to be the Continental Divide north of US highway 550 and the Nacimiento Mountains south of it; areas east of this boundary are covered in the article on [[North Central New Mexico | north central New Mexico]].
This region is bounded on the north by [[Colorado]] and the west by [[Arizona]]. Southern and eastern boundaries are indistinct. For purposes of this article, everything south of Interstate highway 40 (following historic Route 66) is considered to be in [[Southwest New Mexico | southwestern New Mexico]], with the exceptions of [[El Malpais National Monument]] owing to its association with the definitely northwestern town of Grants, and Zuni Pueblo owing to its location amid outlying sections of Navajo Nation. The eastern boundary is taken to be the Continental Divide north of US highway 550 and the Nacimiento Mountains south of it; areas east of this boundary are covered in the article on [[North Central New Mexico | north central New Mexico]].
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==Talk==
==Talk==
−
If you happen to speak Navajo, ''yah-te-hey'', and you'll likely have a chance to practice it here. English is the more universal language of the region, however. A smaller fraction of the population speaks Spanish than in most other parts of New Mexico, and speakers of other languages (except Zuni) are rare.
If you happen to speak Navajo, ''yah-te-hey'', and you'll likely have a chance to practice it here. English is the more universal language of the region, however. A smaller fraction of the population speaks Spanish than in most other parts of New Mexico, and speakers of other languages (except Zuni) are rare.
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[[Image:Northwest new mexico map.png|thumb|300px|Northwest New Mexico map]]
[[Image:Northwest new mexico map.png|thumb|300px|Northwest New Mexico map]]
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[[Farmington (New Mexico) | Farmington]] is the home of Mesa Airlines, a commuter line that connects to majors in [[Albuquerque]] and [[Denver]]. However, Mesa recently announced they would be ceasing air service in the area. Great Lakes Airlines still offers flights to Denver and Phoenix, and a new carrier, New Mexico Airlines, is in negotiation to begin service to Albuquerque. Flights may be intermittent during this transition period. Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/southwest-chief-train Southwest Chief]''' route follows I-40 through the region, stopping briefly in Gallup. Otherwise, access is mainly by road, with good highways on the south (Interstate 40, following the route of historic [[Route 66]]) and east (US 550).
+
[[Farmington (New Mexico) | Farmington]] is the home of Mesa Airlines, a commuter line that connects to majors in [[Albuquerque]] and [[Denver]]. However, Mesa recently announced they would be ceasing air service in the area. Great Lakes Airlines still offers flights to Denver and Phoenix, and a new carrier, New Mexico Airlines, is in negotiation to begin service to Albuquerque. Flights may be intermittent during this transition period. Amtrak's '''[http://www.amtrak.com/southwest-chief-train Southwest Chief]''' route follows I-40 through the region, stopping briefly in Gallup. Otherwise, access is mainly by road, with good highways on the south (Interstate 40, following the route of historic [[Route 66]]) and east (US 550)
. US 491 between Gallup and the town of Shiprock is a good scenic drive that gives the traveler a sense of the rugged desolation of this region
.
==Get around==
==Get around==
−
Drive. Hitchhiking doesn't work well here owing to the sparse population and vast distances, and there is little if any bus service within the region.
Drive. Hitchhiking doesn't work well here owing to the sparse population and vast distances, and there is little if any bus service within the region.
Like too much of New Mexico, drunk driving is an issue here, but an additional, unexpected problem for the motorist is intoxicated ''pedestrians''. The wise motorist is consequently advised to be on the lookout for pedestrians acting strangely, even on seemingly deserted roads.
Like too much of New Mexico, drunk driving is an issue here, but an additional, unexpected problem for the motorist is intoxicated ''pedestrians''. The wise motorist is consequently advised to be on the lookout for pedestrians acting strangely, even on seemingly deserted roads.
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−
==See==
−
−
* A good scenic drive that gives the traveler a sense of the rugged desolation of this region is US 491 between Gallup and the town of Shiprock. This road appears as US 666 on some maps and was long known as "The Devil's Highway." Take a few minutes at the northern end of the drive and get a photo or two of Shiprock, the amazing volcanic formation that gives the northern terminus of this road its name.
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−
==Do==
−
−
* {{do
−
| name=[[Chaco Culture National Historical Park]] | alt= | url=http://www.nps.gov/chcu/ | email=
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| address= | lat= | long= | directions=
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| phone= | tollfree= | fax=
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| hours= | price=
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| content=Far out in the boonies between Farmington and Grants, has an exceptionally large and interesting array of archaeological sites. Most can be seen from the main road or via short hikes, but if you have time and inclination, take the longer (half-day) trail to Peñasco Blanco, a more remote site that includes a pictograph considered by many to be one of the few Western Hemisphere accounts of the great supernova of 1054. Fee (the [[United States National Parks | National Park system's]] "Park Pass" is applicable); car camping is possible, but if you're a non-camper, the nearest developed lodging is all the way back in Farmington.
−
}}
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* {{do
−
| name=Aztec Ruins National Monument | alt= | url=http://www.nps.gov/azru/home.htm | email=
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| address= | lat= | long= | directions=
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| phone= | tollfree= | fax=
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| hours= | price=
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| content=North of the town of [[Aztec (New Mexico)|Aztec]] (near Farmington) on NM SR 516, is another significant archaeological site. Day use (8-5 in winter, 8-6 summer, closed major holidays) with the usual short trails to some of the major ruins. Fee; Park Pass applies.
−
}}
−
* '''[[El Malpais National Monument]]''', south of Grants, preserves a recent lava flow and a series of lava-tube caves that beckon the desert hiker. The smaller '''El Morro National Monument''' is nearby, with shorter trails to interesting archaeological sites, as are the privately-operated Bandera Crater and Ice Cave.
−
* '''Mount Taylor''', northeast of Grants, is the highest mountain in this region (summit elevation about 11,300') and offers outdoor recreational opportunities more typical of the mountainous [[North Central New Mexico | north central]] region. Hiking, fishing, and camping are all possible on its flanks, and during the winter, it is the scene of a highly regarded "quadrathlon" competition, in which competitors run, cycle, snowshoe and ski to the summit and back.
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* Buy a Navajo rug. Sources of rugs within [[Navajo Nation]] are covered in that region's own article, but if you're less adventurous, there are dealers in Gallup and Farmington, with several on the road from the latter to Shiprock. Good rugs aren't cheap; expect to spend $500 or more for work of reasonable quality. If you're in the area on the second or third Friday of every month (2007 - July 13; August 17; September 14; October 12; November 16; December 14), Crownpoint hosts the Crownpoint Rug Auction. The Crownpoint Rug Auction gives buyers the unique opportunity to purchase Navajo rugs directly from the weavers themselves, at prices well below retail. Before the actual auction, you can hold rugs in your hands and appreciate them up close. Some sell for $50 or less, and some sell for thousands of dollars. Even if you don't buy anything, you are in for a treat. No two rugs are alike!!
−
* Visit the Gallup Flea Market on any given Saturday. You can try authentic native foods and buy art and jewelry directly from the artist at reasonable prices.
−
* For a different kind of American Indian artwork, visit the [[New Mexico Pueblos|pueblos]]. '''Zuni Pueblo''' is located in the extreme southwest corner of the region. Zuni pottery, jewelry and fetishes are highly regarded and can be found in the shops along Highway 53 in the Pueblo. If there is a religious event during your visit, be mindful of the signs - be quiet, respectful, and leave your cameras and video recorders in your vehicle. Also see the '''Acoma Pueblo''', off of I-40 east of Grants, which is a historic settlement perched high atop a mesa. Nearby is '''Laguna Pueblo'''. Both of these pueblos also operate casinos, the '''Dancing Eagle Casino''' of Laguna and the '''Sky City Casino''' near Acoma, both along I-40 a short distance from each other.
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−
==Eat==
−
−
<!-- this section is for a general overview of the region's food options. listings for individual businesses should go in the appropriate city article. -->
==Drink==
==Drink==
−
Don't, at least not within Navajo Nation; possession, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are illegal within reservation boundaries. Farmington (population about 40,000) is outside the reservation and is large enough to have rudimentary night life (e.g. Sun Ray Park and Casino at the racetrack), but there is some hostility to bar-hopping because of the social problems that result from alcoholic members of Navajo Nation and redneck townsfolk within the border town. This concern may sound overblown to visitors from outside the region, but it is not. This simply is not a good place for drinking.
Don't, at least not within Navajo Nation; possession, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are illegal within reservation boundaries. Farmington (population about 40,000) is outside the reservation and is large enough to have rudimentary night life (e.g. Sun Ray Park and Casino at the racetrack), but there is some hostility to bar-hopping because of the social problems that result from alcoholic members of Navajo Nation and redneck townsfolk within the border town. This concern may sound overblown to visitors from outside the region, but it is not. This simply is not a good place for drinking.