NM2007 - Area - Southern New Mexico

Tens of thousands of birds take off at the same time and fields of soft, white gypsum sands curl across the horizon. Southern New Mexico — home of giant stalagmites, great wineries, and (gasp!) aliens — is a destination with many dimensions.

The journey begins on Interstate 25, parallel to El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the path built in the 16th century to connect Mexico City with Santa Fe. From the time of Spanish colonists, this road has been used for trade among Europeans,American Indians, Mexicans, and Americans. Learn more about their history at the visitor’s center north of Truth or Consequences.

The Bosque del Apache, off I-25 near Socorro, is a magical place where tens of thousands of birds spend the winter. Likewise, birdwatchers flock here before sunrise to see the birds take off as the sun comes up. Cranes, snow geese, hawks, and ducks texture the skies.

West of the interstate lies the Very Large Array, an astronomical radio observatory consisting of 27 radio antennas, each 82 feet in diameter.

The highway crosses Interstate 10 at Las Cruces (the crosses), New Mexico’s second largest city and critically acclaimed retirement destination (for its weather, cost of living, and variety of activities). South of Las Cruces is Old Mesilla, a community rich in history that is home to boutique shops and galleries.

Las Cruces and Old Mesilla are part of Mesilla Valley, which is home to several wineries, as is Mimbres Valley to the west. Grapes from the latter are shipped to vineyards around the globe.

North of the Mimbres Valley is the Gila Wilderness, 3 million acres of world-class hiking through canyons, mountains, desert, forest, hot springs, and the Gila Cliff Dwellings, where you can see the remains of ancient homes that Mogollon people built into sandstone caves along the cliff. Also in the Gila is Silver City, where you can get a bite, see art, and (if the time is right) attend events such as the Blues Festival and Chocolate Fantasia.

East of Las Cruces you will see an amazing wonder: White Sands National Monument, 275 square miles of velvety sand.Take the Sunset Stroll, one of the park's programs. You can also sled down the sand dunes.

Smokey Bear and Billy the Kid once dwelled in Lincoln National Forest, east of White Sands and surrounded by three mountain ranges.

As you drive through Southern New Mexico, stop at farm stands for fresh, sweet fruits and vegetables, including Anaheim chiles and a variety of nuts.Warning: once you eat fresh, scrumptious pecans from New Mexico, you might never again enjoy store-bought pecans.

You'll need the energy for your stop at Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, which features more than 20,000 drawings that ancient people created on rocks.Wander back in time through the rock art designs of spirals, suns, birds, and animals.

Continuing east is Cloudcroft, home to The Lodge Golf Course, one of the highest-altitude golf courses in the United States and governed by the Scottish links tradition.The city is also a great place for winter sports.

Ruidoso is also great for winter sports and golf.Visit nearby Ruidoso Downs to take your chances at the Billy the Kid Casino and horse races at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack.The Hubbard Museum of the American West is another fun stop in Ruidoso Downs.

Drive 24 miles south to the Hondo Iris Farm and Gallery, a botanical garden where you can spot hummingbirds. Or leave Ruidoso Downs east to Lincoln to ride the Lincoln County Overland Stage.

To see aliens, continue further east to Roswell, home of the International UFO Museum. Stop by in July for the UFO Festival, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the "Roswell Incident," where a UFO, a weather balloon, or another object crashed into a farm. Meet scientists, believers, and sci-fi authors.

South of Roswell, you can see some of the largest caves in North America: Carlsbad Caverns. Guided tours reveal the history and geology, or walk through on your own. Don’t miss the Big Room, an 8.2-acre room filled with giant stalagmites and stalactites; it’s like walking through a room of icicles on the ceiling and ice cream cones on the floor. At sunset during the summer, watch the exodus of Mexican free-tail bats at the outdoor theater on the edge of a cave. It’s like watching smoke spiral through the air.The more adventurous can reserve a spot on the underground cave tours. No need to worry about the weather outside:The caves are 56°F all year (bring a jacket or sweater).

GuestLife Discover — The Very Large Array

Remember the film Contact? Jodie Foster stars as an astronomer who detects a radio signal from outer space. If so, you’ll have seen the giant, circular radio antennas of the VLA, which appear in many scenes.

• Visit the VLA daily between 8:30 a.m. and dusk. Free, guided tours are offered on the first Saturdays in April and October. To get there, take Interstate 25 to Socorro and continue 50 miles west on U.S. 60.

• Check out the visitor's center and watch the movie explaining how the giant radio antennas are moved. Another film provides an overview of the VLA and radio astronomy. The great exhibits include a radio telescope where you can see the sun.

• A self-guided tour allows you to climb up an observation deck, look at prototypes for new antennas, and see the Whisper Gallery, an antenna base.

Information: (505) 835-7000, www.vla.nrao.edu

GuestLife Don't Miss — Flights of Fancy

Each fall, people journey from around the globe to the Festival of the Cranes in Socorro to mark the beginning of the migration of birds to the Bosque del Apache. The event (Nov. 13-18, 2007) includes birding and geology tours, desert drives, lectures, and special dinners.

An hour before sunrise between November and February, tourists pour out of Socorro’s hotels and head to the Bosque del Apache to see thousands of birds take off to feed in nearby fields. Another highlight is the fly-in near dusk. Year-round you can watch ducks, hawks, and songbirds as well as mule deer, elk, and coyotes.

The Bosque del Apache has hiking trails and a loop trail for driving tours. Guided tours are often offered on weekends. To get here, take Interstate 25 to San Antonio to Route 380 East to State Highway 1.

Information: (505) 835-1828, www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/newmex/bosque/