We recently spent a long weekend in Angel Fire, New Mexico on the southern end of the
Enchanted Circle.
This is part one of our adventure in Angel Fire.
If you're staying in Angel Fire and you need to pick up groceries, you pretty much just
have one option and it's the Lowe's grocery right here on the main drag.
It's such a small little town.
A cute little place here.
So we're staying in the country club neighborhood of Angel Fire and let me tell you it is stunning.
I've been here before several years ago and I stayed in a condo near the ski area, actually
during the summer, and it was super hot because none of the places have air conditioning-
but this area is much better, so if you get a chance and you can find an airbnb or a house
rental in the country club area of Angel Fire I highly recommend staying in this area.
I saw them (whisper)
if you squat down you can see them (whisper)
So all of the parking right around the base of the ski area says 'permit only' / 'hotel
guest parking' so apparently during ski season they really enforce it but right now it's
fall, it's mountain biking season, it's kind of in between high season and there's plenty
of open spaces.
So I talked to somebody that works here they said we could park anywhere in these lots.
That we would be okay.
It's typically first come first serve.
They don't really start checking for guest passes unless it starts getting really crowded
or about check-in time at the hotel.
So if there's plenty of open parking you don't need to worry about it.
Now the airbnb hosts had permit passes but we didn't pick them up and looks like we're
going to be okay just in any of these lots.
We made it on the ski lift!
After a brutal time trying to get our waivers signed.
I recommend doing that ahead of time if you come up here on your own.
So what I wasn't aware of is that there's actually two lines at the base of the chairlift.
There was one for people having their bikes, and one for hikers.
So just pay attention.
This was my first time.
I didn't know that, and one of the nice guys behind me let me know.
I forgot to mention the price $33 for one adult ticket and one teenager ticket to come
up on the chairlift.
So Angel Fire has a pretty fun ziplining tour, and they have an amazing really high speed
long distance zip line as well at this park.
But it just shut down about two weeks ago.
They run over the summer and it's closed for the winter.
It would have been a nice time to go zip lining but they're just not operating it right now.
But here's some of the views from the top of the ski lift.
Okay, at the top of the chair lift there's a sign that points to an easy trail with amazing
views.
You know, I walked right past it and couldn't find the trail.
The trail is literally right in front of the sign.
There's some steps right there that goes down the hill.
It's worth it but make sure you have some shoes with a little grip because it's a little
slippery.
And remember, we're at ten thousand feet without much oxygen so take your time, bring plenty
of water.
I was told this little restaurant here, El Jefe is really good for lunch, so we're going
to come here and pick up some tacos.
I'm sitting here at this lovely picnic area right in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
which overlooks this beautiful Moreno Valley which is where Angel Fire sits in.
One of the interesting facts that I recently learned is that the show Lonesome Dove back
in the 80s was filmed here at a private ranch in this valley somewhere around Angel Fire.
It was meant to look like Montana.
So that's an interesting fact for you, so we're going to take a look inside the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial.
So we're back.
Look who's here.
cutie..Hi..
Okay well we're calling it a close here at the end of my first full day in Angel Fire.
I got up, enjoyed the property, enjoyed the hammock, enjoyed my coffee.
We went to the ski area rode up the mountain, did a little hiking, ate some lunch and then
we went and checked the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that was beautiful, went to Eagle's Nest Lake-
had a great time!
Cheers!
Now I'm listening for the elk.
If Ii hear one or see one, I'll let you know.