“Red or Green?,” seems to be a fairly standard question around dinnertime here in Las Cruces, but with the abundance of area wineries in the country’s oldest wine producing state, people might also find themselves asking, “Red or White?”

Whether it’s a robust red or a whimsical white, Rio Grande Vineyards & Winery, just south of the Historic Mesilla Plaza, has a variety of tasty and unique wines for every palette.

“My father taught me how to make wine when I was 13…I’ve made wines all my life,” said Gordon Steel, owner of Rio Grande Vineyards & Winery, who started his winery about five years ago when he retired, after 34 years of service in the  U. S. Air Force.

The wide assortment of wines throughout the winery have a unique blend of flavors and influences, which Steel attributed to his travels through Europe, “that showed me [Steel] the diversity of wine.” The most popular wines at the winery include the Spanish inspired wines such as the Cherry Sangria or Tempranillo.

With wines that all run under $20 Rio Grande Vineyards & Winery offers a good variety of wine without breaking the bank, and for those looking to try out all winery’s tasty varieties of wine, the winery offers tastings for $5 per person and if you decide to buy a bottle of wine, the tasting is free.

“You can make wines that are very similar, but every winemaker is going to take a different approach to finishing the wine,” said Steel, while mentioning that each winemaker has a unique style that can produce a virtually endless number of wine variations.

Steel went on to mention that along with producing an array of wonderful wines, grapes are also a very sustainable crop for the Mesilla valley, only using a small fraction of the water it takes to develop crops such as pecans. “It’s a crop we should be looking at,” said Steel while mentioning that the Las Cruces area also has ideal weather conditions for growing grapes.

“The biggest change next year will be in the signage and development of our wine trail system,” said Steel as he explained an ongoing cooperative effort by both wineries and government agencies to further expand and develop the Las Cruces wine trail.

There are about half-a-dozen different wineries located in and around the Las Cruces area, not including the numerous wineries slated to open within the next few years. “We all make wine totally different…but we work as a team…we all support each other,” said Steel and explained the strong sense of unity between area wineries that works to develop the area’s wine trail.

New Mexico began producing wines in 1629, making it the oldest wine producing state in the country.

Rio Grande Vineyards & Winery is located just four miles south of the Mesilla Plaza on Highway 28. The winery is open Friday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tours of the winery are available most Fridays or by appointment. For more information call (575) 524-3985

It’s hard to imagine what Las Cruces would look like 200 years ago, no buildings, no streets…just nature in its purest form.

It is this natural beauty that truly defines the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park (MVBSP), as views of the sprawling Bosque sprinkled with native wildlife and vegetation give you a real sense of the raw beauty engrained in the Las Cruces area.

“The park is a natural area close to Las Cruces, that’s very quiet, very peaceful, with lots of wildlife,” said MVBSP Education Coordinator C. J. Goin, who also mentioned that it’s one of the few natural areas in Southern New Mexico, which is very close to the Rio Grande.

With 305 acres of mostly wetlands, adjacent to 620 acres of Chihuahuan desert and alongside three miles of the Rio Grande River, the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park offers two separate trails that take you on a journey through the beautiful wetland and desert landscapes that are native to the Rio Grande habitat. The park also serves as a haven for a variety of birds and wildlife, and also offers stunning birding opportunities and intriguing general wildlife viewing.

Whether it’s hiking, birding, wildlife viewing, geocaching or just a stroll through the park on one of its many guided tours, the park gives visitors a true hands-on nature excursion through a habitat that was slowly fading into the pages of history.

“As far as activities that are popular in the park, hiking is popular activity as is birding, the park has excellent birding and general wildlife viewing. We do have two geocahe sites, and geocaching is a popular activity. Fishing is allowed in the river, but not in the drain or the ponds, so we do have limited fishing,” said Goin while explaining some of the popular activities at the park.

“Over two hundred species of birds may be seen in the park at various times of the year, we also have abundant amphibians, fish and reptiles, and we have lots of plants, some of the more interesting plants include cottonwoods, mesquite, willows and yerba Mansa,” said Goin, as he explained the rich environmental ecosystems in the Bosque and Desert that remain teeming with vegetation and wildlife.

Along with programs to educate local schools and teachers about the Bosque, the park offers a variety of tours, including a birding tour the first Saturday of every month, which, during fall migration, September and October, is being offered every Saturday.           

Ongoing exhibits at the park give visitors a glance into the native wildlife, vegetation, geography and geology of the Rio Grande habitat, as well as, information about the Mesilla Valley.

Along with an exhibit hall the park also hosts several events throughout the year, such as “On The River, For the River,” the Southwestern Environmental Center’s Annual Fundraising Banquet, which was held the at the park on September 26th.

Eventually planning to expand by acquiring the adjacent 620 acres of adjacent Chihuahuan desert from the Bureau of Land Management, the restoration of the natural Rio Grande habitat remains a key goal, as the process of replacing non-native saltcedar with native vegetation such as willows and cottonwoods is ongoing.

The park is located in Mesilla, at 5000 Calle del Norte, and is open from 7a.m. – 5p.m. during September 1 – March 31, and 7a.m. – 7p.m. during April 1 – August 31, but closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.  There is a $5 per car fee to enter the park.

The park, which opened in December 13th, 2008, is New Mexico’s 34th state park, which also makes it New Mexico’s newest state park.

LAS CRUCES — For Las Cruces resident Fred Brown, the morning commute Tuesday included reading a book and taking a quick cat nap.

And, he got to work on time.

Brown, who works at Wells Fargo Bank in downtown El Paso, was afforded those luxuries because he was among the first Las Crucens to participate in the New Mexico Park and Ride program that has started commuter bus service between Las Cruces and El Paso.

“Having lived in California, I’m used to doing something like this,” Brown said. “I figure this is going to save me about $90 a month, and that’s not including the wear and
tear on my car.”

Las Cruces resident Edna Ledesma agreed; that’s why she’s already bought a monthly pass. She passed much of her time on the bus reading a book.
Brown and four other residents stood in a small circle outside of Las Cruces’ central terminal, at the former Amador Hotel, as they waited for the 6:30 a.m. bus to El Paso. But their wait wasn’t too long, and actually even shorter than anticipated. The bus to El Paso arrived two minutes ahead of schedule.

“That’s one of the things this company takes a lot of pride in, and that’s being on time,” said Jon Leno, a bus driver for All Aboard America, the contractor that operates New Mexico’s Park and Ride Program. “In northern New Mexico this service is always on time.”

Although the number of commuters who rode the bus Tuesday was small, there seemed to be little disappointment among All Aboard America officials. There hasn’t been any advertising of the new program, with the only notifications of the start of the commuter service coming from newspaper and television news stories.

“Once the word starts spreading it’ll pick up,” said Fred Ullom, general manager of All Aboard America.

There weren’t any major glitches on the first day. All of the departures and arrivals at New Mexico State University and in Las Cruces, Anthony, Texas, and El Paso were on time.

The buses are air conditioned and every seat is padded and can recline. All buses have a bathroom aboard.

Rush-hour traffic in El Paso was bumper-to-bumper and moved at a slow pace. But any thoughts of “road rage” were far away because the buses were able to avoid becoming tangled in the mesh of cars, trucks, SUVs, vans and commercial vehicles that swelled the freeway.

If anything, there were even a few smiles from some commuters at one particularly congested spot — Sunland Park Drive and Interstate 10. Buses going into El Paso got off at the Sunland Park Drive exit and drove along Paisano Drive instead of taking I-10 into downtown El Paso and the Union Plaza Transit Terminal, 400 W. San Antonio St.

“That will be the regular route,” said Leno, of traveling Paisano instead of I-10 between Sunland Park Drive and Executive Center. “Unless there’s an accident on the road, we’ll make it a point to avoid arriving late.”

Steve Ramirez can be reached at sramirez@lcsun-news.com; (575) 541-5452.

Rush-hour commute
• A one-way trip will cost $3 per person.
• A monthly pass to ride the bus to and from El Paso costs $90.
• Monthly passes can be purchased online at: www.nmparkandride.com, or at Brewer Chevron, 3040 N. Main St., and University Shell, 1304 S. Solano Drive.
• Each bus has 57 seats
• Bus seats are padded and can recline
• Every bus has a restroom.

Pick-up and drop off locations

Las Cruces

• Central terminal at the former Amador Hotel, 180 W. Amador Ave.
• New Mexico State University, parking lot east of the Pan American Center, on the northeast corner of NMSU’s International Mall and Payne Street

Anthony, Texas
• Lowes Big 8 parking lot, on the north side of Franklin Street;

El Paso
• Union Plaza Transit Terminal, 400 W. San Antonio St.

Departure times*
Las Cruces central terminal: 6 a.m., 6:45 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:05 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 5:40 p.m., 6:45 p.m.;

Union Plaza Terminal Station in El Paso: 5:15 a.m., 5:40 a.m., 6:10 a.m., 7:10 a.m., 7:55 a.m., 4:25 p.m., 5:40 p.m., 6:25 p.m., 6:50 p.m.

*For a complete list of departure times from each location, go to www.nmparkandride.com.

As the sun peaks over the Organ Mountains, the scurrying rodents and the beautiful array of blossoming cacti aren’t the only signs of life, as a small trail of dust snakes up the mountainous terrain, trailing a group mountain bikers enjoying one of Las Cruces’ many mountain biking trails. 

With a variety of different mountain ranges, that have wide range of trails and trail variations, at skill levels ranging from beginning to advanced, Las Cruces provides a wealth of year-round outdoor excursions, which give you that outdoor adventure you’ve been looking for, without the expensive travel costs.

“This is one of the best kept resources in Las Cruces…our trails are definitely top rated,” said International Mountain Bicycling Association Member Ron Herring, who explained that people from all over the nation come to experience the trails in Las Cruces.

Being out in the desert and mountainous landscape can be a wonderful learning experience, as, “there are a lot of fascinating animals, ecology, geography and history,” said Herring while explaining that people don’t often realize, “just how much life is out here,” and when, “you stop to take a break, and look at the plant life, you just say,…‘wow.’”

The great weather year-round allows for mountain bikers to ride almost anytime during the year, whereas, other mountain biking hotspots are often seasonal, because of inclement weather.

“We have the best weather for biking,” Herring said, and went on to say that, not only can you ride year-round, but, that the views of the surrounding landscapes when you’re riding, “are amazing… it’s so vast, and you can see out so far.”

“One really nice thing about this area is cell phone contact,” said IMBA Member Mike Lorimer, who explained that cell phone service, is available in many of the trails, which is helpful if you run into any problems.

“There are not a lot of dangerous things out here,” said Herring, as he went on to caution that, although the trails are relatively safe, mountain bikers should always wear a helmet, bring plenty of water and consistently keep safety in mind.

As mountain biking has become more popular in recent years, more and more mountain bikers are getting their families involved. “We have a lot of families coming out,” and, “the trails are set up to where, the further you go out, the more difficult it gets,” said Herring, just as I happened to catch a glance of a father and his two younger sons riding by on the trail.

Age doesn’t seem to be a debilitating factor for many mountain bikers as, “the age range is just amazing,” said Herring. “I’ve got a couple in their 70’s who go out and camp,” said Lorimer, while he explained the wide variety of people who come out to the trails.

“They’re [the trails] not that far, it’s not going to cost you a tank of gas,” said Outdoor Adventures Manager Pablo Lopez while mentioning that many of the biking trails are in very close proximity to Las Cruces.

Visitors who don’t have their own mountain bike can still and rent one, at stores such as, Outdoor Adventures, which rents mountain bikes for $20 a day.

There are a number of ongoing bike rides throughout Las Cruces, which anyone is free to join in on, and ride alongside other avid mountain bikers from the area.

For more information and maps on trails, in and around Las Cruces, visit the recreation section of: www.lascrucescvb.org

With the abundance of hiking and biking trails in and around Las Cruces, summer is the perfect time to dust off those hiking boots, grab a few bottles of water and go out and experience the natural beauty of the Las Cruces area.

Hotspots such as Dripping Springs, Aguirre Springs, the Dona Ana Mountains, and Picacho Peak, are just some of the many hiking, biking and equestrian trails in the Las Cruces area, that are tailored to people of all skill levels.

“The sights, the sounds, the smells, are just totally different from here in the valley,” said Eric Ernst, park ranger for the bureau of land management.

Ernst also explained that, although spring and fall are the most popular seasons for tourists, during the summer, “There are less people, so it’s quieter if you’re looking for solitude.”

With over 10 different recreation areas, and a vast number of trails in and around Las Cruces, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and experience the natural beauty of Las Cruces with a relaxing trip that has breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

Along with destinations such as Dripping Springs and Aguirre Springs, there are a number of trails that make a for perfect day trip from Las Cruces such as the Gila Lower Box Canyon, and the Three Rivers Petroglyph site.

“Las Cruces is a good base for all those areas,” said Ernst, while explaining how many of the recreation areas around Las Cruces are, “great for a day trip,” and with little or no cost, it won’t break your budget.

Aside from the numerous hiking opportunities, Las Cruces also has a number of mountain biking, equestrian and off-road trails, for a more adventurous day out in the desert.

For those looking to do some off-road adventures with their ATVs or off-road vehicles, there’s Aden Hills, which offers a large well maintained area for ATV use, as well as, The Robledo Mountains, which offers a variety of four-wheel drive trails and several trails for rock crawling.

The number and quality of the trails is increasing, as trails are continually expanded, revamped and maintained, with additions such as new parking areas for several of the trails.

With 350 days of sunshine each year, your chances of catching inclement weather on your hike are slim-to-none, and virtually guarantee clear and stunning views of the beautiful desert landscapes, stunning plant life and intriguing wildlife.

Ernst also recommended hikers take lots of water, especially if you have a pet with you, a hat and plenty of sunscreen.

For more information and maps on trails, in and around Las Cruces, visit the recreation section of: www.lascrucescvb.org

As you wander through the streets of Las Cruces, you may just catch a whiff of some bold Thai spices, or the wholesome smell of Sheppard’s pie, and maybe, even the aromatic scent of roasting Hawaiian pork, as more and more exotic food restaurants have begun to spring up in Las Cruces and started serving tasty treats from around the globe.

With the opening of a traditional Irish pub, a Teppanyaki grill, a traditional Italian pizzeria, a Hawaiian restaurant, an Indian food restaurant and a Thai restaurant, in the past four years alone, Las Cruces’ Mexican food may have to share the “culinary spotlight”, in a city that is rapidly becoming a “culinary adventure” for locals and tourists alike.

“It’s a very distinct taste…I get most of my ingredients from Hawaii,” said Rachel Faulkner, chef and owner of the Hawaiian restaurant Ono Grindz, who said she cooks for, “the local people from Hawaii,” because, “they really miss the food.”

Las Cruces currently has the only Hawaiian food restaurant in the state, which has been open for approximately two years now, and Faulkner explained she gets many customers from the east coast, as well as many neighboring communities, looking for some bold exotic flavors, instead of just that “south of the border” flavor Las Cruces is renowned for.

“I think it’s a sign of culture, and that, the people of Las Cruces are willing to try new things and support new enterprises,” said Rebecca Correa-Elliott, a longtime resident of Las Cruces, while explaining that the restaurant scene in Las Cruces has changed over the years and the community has continued to embrace those changes.

Although the overwhelming majority of restaurants in Las Cruces still serve Mexican food, there are still over 20 restaurants that serve exotic cuisine in Las Cruces.

The diversity of restaurants has continued to attract many customers from neighboring communities such as El Paso, often bringing soldiers from Ft. Bliss that have developed a taste for food from other countries they have traveled too.

As the number of restaurants serving exotic foods continues to grow, Las Cruces is becoming more than just culinary hotspot for Mexican and New Mexican food, but a roller coaster ride of flavors, that takes your taste buds on a journey around the globe.

A list of restaurants and information about restaurants in Las Cruces can be found in the dining/nightlife section of lascrucescvb.org.

Antiques…they remind us of the good old days, and with every miniscule scratch or piece of dust lurks a story from generations past, which evokes that familiar sense of nostalgia, wonderfully captured by the Antique district in Las Cruces.

With some antiques and collectibles dating back years before the 1900′s, the antique district on Picacho Avenue, which is composed of 11 different antique stores, is full of antiques and collectibles from various generations throughout history.

Whether it is a vintage end table for the living room, or a vintage painting for the hallway, the antique district on Picacho has antiques and collectibles for every style and taste.

“Ever since I was a little kid I collected things…you learn a lot of history with this stuff,” said Bob Gaines, owner of S.O.B.’s [Sweet Old Bob’s] Antiques, as he explained that many of the items in his store all have an extensive history, and that, there are a large variety of types and styles of antiques and collectibles in the stores.

“I once had a record of the Harmonicats…and a man came in and said, he just had to have it… his father was on the cover…he had never even known,” Gaines said, as he went on to tell several stories about customers coming in and finding items that they never imagined they would find, yet each item held immense significance to the customers who bought them.

In one case, an ornate pillowcase, which was not for sale,  from a now, non existent military base, meant so much to a man, who is now a high ranking officer in the military, that Gaines has willed the pillowcase to him on a small note card.

The sense of history you feel in the shops is astounding, as entire generations are documented in old pictures, music, pottery, toys and even advertisements.

The wide variety of antiques and collectibles, seem to document the history and culture of Las Cruces as you walk from the “Roaring 20’s” in one room, and then witness an era pass you by and waltz into the “1950’s” in the next room.

Many of the antiques feature unique and exquisite craftsmanship, which has slowly faded away in lieu of mass production.

“The old stuff is made to last…if you buy things [consumer goods] nowadays, you’ll be lucky if it lasts a year,” said Gaines as he mentioned that many of the goods he has in his store still work well, even after upwards of 50 years.

Despite a large number of antiques and collectibles, Gaines said he is continuously searching for new items and that, “the search is what I like best…finding something you never expected to find…that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

With antiques and collectibles from all over the world, the antiques and collectibles throughout the antique district give a broader sense of the history and story engrained in many of the items.

So, for those wanting to spruce up that living room with some antique southwest charm or simply looking to take a stroll down memory lane, the antique district on Picacho is a great destination for serious investors and window shoppers alike.

Along with the large number of antique shops in and around Las Cruces, there are also a variety of ongoing antique shows throughout the year that may be hiding that little slice of history you’ve been looking for.

For more information on the Picacho antique district, visit www.lascrucescvb.com

Whether it’s the scintillating aroma of fresh cooked kettle corn, or the enchanting strumming of an acoustic guitar, the lure of the 38-year-old tradition of the Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market is bound to captivate your senses and capture your heart.

The bustling excitement surrounding the market is contagious, as droves of people flock to beautiful spreads of freshly harvested produce and delicate arrangements of handmade crafts from over 50 unique vendors.

“Good food, good people and good times… and with the economy the way it is, it’s [Farmer’s Market] a good social outlet” said Earla Kuhn, co-owner of Khun Farms, who has been a vendor at Farmer’s Market for several years now.

“After the salmonella scare, we really ought to know where our food is coming from,” said Khun and explained that although her produce is not certified organic, it is “local and natural, and that’s good enough for me.”

Along with a variety of food vendors, local products and crafts, there are a number of musicians that fill the market with lively songs that give passerby’s a real sense of nostalgia and a strong sense of the community that continues to thrive here in Las Cruces.

“The market has the best collection of unique items you’ll find anywhere,” said Gary Strein, a longtime vendor who sells unique silver jewelry at the Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market.

The wide variety of crafts often yields insight into the culture of Las Cruces as items such as: paintings and photographs depicting the beautiful landscapes and wildlife of New Mexico, handmade jewelry with touches of local flare, such as precious stones from New Mexico, and even a number of hand painted retablos (traditional paintings of Catholic saints), populate the marketplace.

“It’s [Farmer's Market] constantly changing, with so many new people moving here and bringing in new products,” Strein said, and went on to say, “It’s a lot bigger than it used to be.”

First started in 1971, the Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market has grown from just a handful of local farmers, to a lively marketplace filled with over 50 vendors, live music and ample food choices.

Aside from the Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market in the Downtown Mall, there are also a number of Farmer’s Markets throughout Las Cruces.

The Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market is held every Wednesday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market is in the process of moving from the Downtown Mall to across the street, at the corner of Main Street and Las Cruces Avenue, starting September 5, 2009.

For more information of the Las Cruces Farmers and craft Market visit: http://lascrucesfarmersmarket.org/