Walking Around Hidden Valley RV Resort in Tijeras, New Mexico

The Hidden Valley RV Resort
Office, Restrooms &
Laundry Room

Houses are perched on the

ridge line above the
 campground.

This Rest Room has an
outdoor sink.

A Black Caterpillar

crosses the road. 

Cholla Cacti grow near
the campground roads.

An unlikely 5th wheel

towing set up

I admire the converted
bus.

Campers share water hookups.

I like the Smiley Face

satellite dish.

This trailer isn't going
anywhere.

The chock is locked.

The Club House

The Swimming Pool

Playground

Tether Ball &

Basketball

Hidden Valley RV Resort is an older campground.  The sites are very narrow.  That's OK.  Eric and I are here to clean the motorhome, do laundry and shop for food as we prepare for 12 days of boondocking at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

The Hidden Valley RV Resort Office in Tijeras, New Mexico

The Hidden Valley RV Park 
Office is an architecturally
interesting building.

A porch for campers to

lounge on.

There's a fresh pot of

coffee on for campers.

The Registration

Desk

Hidden Valley RV Resort

is a Good Sam Park &

a Resorts of Distinction

Park.

As members of Resorts of Distinction, Eric and I are staying here at no cost.

Local Attractions Brochures

There's a lot to see & do

in Northeastern

New Mexico.

The Laundry Room is

at the back of the 

building. 

Four washers

$1.25 per load 

Four dryers

$1.00 per load

I will be washing my entryway rug here.  It's too heavy and too dirty to be washed in our motorhome's Splendide Washer/Dryer.

Driving South to Tijeras, New Mexico

Today's drive is a shot one... Just 77 miles from Santa Fe south to Tijeras, 15 miles east of Albuquerque.  

Our first stop is Allsup's.

Diesel is $2.39 a gallon

here.

Today's drive south is on

New Mexico Route 14

South & it's a 

Scenic Byway.

The Penitentiary of New Mexico

We are not picking up hitchhikers

along this stretch of road.

Bicyclists

Origami in the Garden
Sculpture Gallery

This is Cattle Country.

Be watchful for horses.

Antique car drivers are
enjoying...

...the ride along

New Mexico Route 14.

Distant mountains

The Old Boarding House

 Mercantile in

Madrid

The Mine Shaft Tavern

Madrid is one of the towns along the Turquoise Trail.  We pass by restaurants, art galleries and jewelry shops.  I look forward to touring the Turquoise Trail.

Rural mailboxes line the
road near this neighborhood.

 

Kickin' Ass Ranch

Motorcyclists are out for a

drive on this windy, scenic

road.

I fantasize about thundering
hoof beats, a cloud of dust...
a posse chasing a pack
of bandits.

The El Ice Plant truck

is making its rounds.

Eric turned onto Bernalillo
County Route 333 East.

This is a section of the
Historic Route 66.

We turn right, just past

Zuzax Gas Mart.

We are spending four

days at Hidden Valley

RV Park.

The campsites are very

narrow here.

We aren't able to fully
extend our awning.

Eric and I are set up for four days of camping, with water, sewer and electric hookups. The DirecTV dish picked up satellites for television.  There is no campground wide Wifi here.  

After two weeks of boondocking from Poland, New York to Tijeras, New Mexico, Eric will be busy with shopping, cleaning, doing laundry etc. 

Touring the New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe

Eric in front of New Mexico's
State Capitol in Santa Fe







This state capitol is the only round capitol building in the United States.  It's nickname is "The Roundhouse."

Eric joins the boy's side

in a tug of war.

The Spanish chose Santa Fe as the seat of power in 1610.  Following the Mexican-American War of 1846 - 1848, the lands that would become the states of New Mexico, California, Nevada Utah, parts of Colorado, Arizona and Wyoming were purchased from Mexico for $15 million dollars. 

Two Territorial capitols were built in Santa Fe.  The first one, with two domes burned to the ground in 1892.  The second one, built in 1900,  was a miniature version of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.  

By the 1950s, the State Capitol had became unfashionable.  Santa Feans were taking increasing pride in their native pueblo and territorial architecture and wanted their State Capitol to reflect their culture. Modifications were made to the exterior of the Capitol to make it more compatible with surrounding architecture.

State government continued to grow and in the 1960s. plans were drawn up for a new Capitol. The Zia Indian Sun Symbol is central to the design of the round State Capitol building.  Construction was completed in 1966.

Looking across the

atrium...

The flags of New Mexico's 

counties are on display here.

The Atrium's

skylight

New Mexican Contemporary
Art is an important element
of this State Capitol.










The Capitol Art Foundation, founded in 1991, manages the permanent and temporary art displays in the State Capitol Complex.

The Senate Chamber

The upper house of the

legislature has 42 members.

Some artwork has
religious themes.

The House Chamber

The lower house of the

 legislature has 70 members.

Digital voting display boards are being installed in the Chamber.

The New Mexico Legislature meets for 60 days during odd numbered years and

for 30 days on even numbered years.  Legislators serve without pay.

This Buffalo head is constructed

with recycled materials: paint

brushes, an old tire, newspapers,

film, a fishing reel, a plastic spoon

& much more.

The Office of the
Governor

The Great Seal of the State of

 New Mexico & a photo of

Governor Susana Martinez

The Governor's Office
proudly displays
New Mexican art.







New Mexico's State Capitol is unique.  It reflects the culture and architecture of New Mexico.  Low key and understated, the building houses the executive and legislative branches of government and is a showcase for New Mexican artists.