Memories of Alamogordo

I just wrapped up a five week stay in Alamogordo, New Mexico - banking some time at the Holloman Air Force Base Solar Observatory - and I must say that my initial feelings regarding the area ultimately gave way to a sincere appreciation of a town that I discovered has not only been rated as one of the "50 Healthiest Locations in the United States" (National Survey, 2002) but is also one of New Mexico's best kept secrets.

I gotta tell you that initially I had my doubts. Despite the fact that Alamogordo is nestled in the center of the Tularosa Basin and is surrounded by the Organ, San Andres and Sacramento Mountain ranges, I am still - and probably always will be - a city boy. With less than 50,000 residents, I discovered pretty quickly that in Alamogordo; the term "nightlife" had a lot MORE to do with stargazing at the Little Dipper and a lot LESS to do with dancing the hours away at some hip-hoppin' nightclub.

On first look, Alamogordo probably isn't one of those places that you'd arbitrarily pick off of a map and plan to visit. But like myself, you'd be missing out on something far more impressive than the latest array of super-malls and movie complexes if you pass on a visit. Alamogordo, New Mexico is wide open spaces, fresh air and friendly people. It's a little slice of Americana that enjoys Friday night high school football games, swap meets and a love of the great outsdoors. The challenge is aligning yourself with these simple pleasures. Once you get that out of the way it's just a matter of sitting back and enjoying the view.

I have a hunch that Alamogordo, New Mexico owes a lot to the atom bomb and perhaps vice-versa. If you're a history buff you may know that the biggest claim to fame for Alamogordo, New Mexico is that it more or less provided the backdrop as the test site of the atom bomb. If you plan accordingly, you can schedule your next trip to Alamogordo, New Mexico to take advantage of two pilgrimages that travel to the White Sands "Trinity Site" - the spot where the A-bomb blew and pretty much redefined mankind's history and subsequent future. (The trips fall on the first Saturday in April and again in October). Contact the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce at (505) 437-6120 for more information.

I'm not sure if Alamogordo grew up around Holloman Air Force Base or the base grew up around Alamogordo, New Mexico. Holloman Air Force Base sits just about 6 miles off of the tail end of White Sands Boulevard and is without a doubt the area's largest employer. Home of the F-117 Stealth Fighter Wing, the resident wing of the German Air Force, and the High Speed Test Track, Holloman would be a far more sedate location if it didn't have access to Alamogordo's endless horizon of fastfood restaurants and strip malls. Holloman AFB pumps in well over $200 million dollars into the local economy, and I'm sure every cent of that is much appreciated.

Certainly the town of Alamogordo, New Mexico was around long before the first soldier or airman set foot there. This is after all "the land of Billy the Kid, Pat Garret, Geronimo and a whole host of other legends of the wild west. Alamogordo was founded in 1898 as a terminal for the railroad. That original railroad is long gone, but an endless stream of men and women - some famous and some not quite so well known - passed through it's flatlands long before.

You can only do so much over the course of a visit and my time in Alamogordo, New Mexico was spent working. Still, I enjoyed a handful of local restaurants that I sure wasn't going to find in Southern Italy. So next time you're passing through Alamogordo be sure to check out the following:

- SI SENOR RESTAURANT. 1480 N White Sands Blvd. 505-437-7879. You don't judge a great book by its cover, and by the same token don't judge Si Senor's by its lack of décor. The food is great and the prices are low. Still, I wouldn't have minded if I'd had a table cloth, but maybe next time. And in one of the funnier moments of my life I managed to confuse a rolled up tortilla with my silverware. (guess you had to be there)

- SONIC DRIVE IN. 504 S. White Sands Blvd. 505-437-6505. Apparently, Sonic's is a pretty popular chain of fastfood. Unfortunately it's popularity has yet to reach Southern Italy where I live. The "Sonic Burger" is a meal in itself and their ice cream sundae isn't halfbad either.

- The WOK INN CHINESE BUFFET. (Walk In) Get it? A little play on words. This restaurant opened during my stay in Alamogordo and I'm not sure of the address other than it's on White Sands Blvd. A great Chinese Buffet. The boiled shrimp alone is worth the price of a meal.

I tried to get out a bit during my free time, and actually saw quite a bit. Some of my favorite haunts are as follows. Others I'll write about later. You can discover more about Alamorgordo, New Mexico by visiting the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce website at www.alamogordo.com

- THE CLOUD-CLIMBING RAIL TRAIL - http://www.nmrailstotrails.org
About 10 miles of the old, abandoned Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railroad grade that runs from Alamogordo to the small town of Cloudcroft have been converted to "rail trails" that are open to the public. The sections have different degrees of difficulty, from easy walking at a grade of less than 6% to an eight mile loop that consists of an elevation change of about 1,000 feet and a few steep slopes. The rail trail highlights include magnificent panoramic overviews of the surrounding areas, 100 year-old wooden railroad trestles and culverts, impressive geologic formations and running streams. Most of the rail trail sections have shelters, benches, and large educational signs that explain the main features of the area. For more information and maps to the different sections, click on the following link: www.nmrailstotrails.org.

- NEW MEXICO MUSEUM OF SPACE HISTORY - http://www.spacefame.org
Formerly known as the Space Center and International Space Hall of Fame, this facility operates as a part of the New Mexico Office of Cultural Affairs and was opened in 1976. The neighboring Clyde W. Tombaugh Space Theater is outfitted with a 40-foot wrap-around OMNIMAX screen and audio system. Visitors tour a model 2001 space station. Also, adjacent to the complex is the John P. Stapp Air and Space Park with a collection of historic space items such as the Sonic Wind I rocket sled. The NMMSH is located on Hwy 2001 off of Scenic Drive. Open 7-days per week. 505-437-2840 Toll Free: 877-333-6589

- THREE RIVERS PETROGLYPH SITE AND RECREATION AREA. The Three Rivers Petroglyphs Site is one of the few locations in the Southwest set aside solely because of its rock art. More than 21,000 glyphs of birds, humans, animals, fish, insects and plants, as well as numerous geometric and abstract designs are scattered over 50 acres of New Mexico's northern Chihuahuan Desert. For more info call (505) 525 - 4300. Recreation area phone: (505) 585 - 3458.

I'm not sure when it will be, but I AM sure I will be back. My 5 weeks in Alamogordo, New Mexico just scratched the surface. But believe me when I say that this small town has a lot going for it. Whether you like trekking or climbing, riding bikes or riding horses, there really IS something for everyone. Whatever "it" is, that's for you to discover. Whether you stay for a few days or a few weeks, Alamogordo can serve as your base or operations while you enjoy all that New Mexico has to offer.