Tome, New Mexico

Tome (pronounced toe-mayyyyyy) is alittle community in Valencia County, New Mexico.  It is south of Albuquerque along NM47 between Los Lunas and Belen.  

When the conquistadors came north from Mexico they stopped along the Rio Grande and set up residence.   The Catholic Church - Immaculate Conception - is the center point of the plaza.  When we were there a few weeks ago, it appeared they were restoring the church.  

This sign erected for the US Bicentennial says Tome was first settled in 1600's.

Off to one side of the church building is a glassed in museum of sorts.  There are many relics and photos of years past.

Handmade tools

Santo Nino - Check out the shoes.  They have to be replaced periodically because the baby wanders around helping those in need and wears them out. 

Calendar from 1901

Front corner of the church with the plaster off.

The adobe melts.  There is a pile of the dirt on the ground. Very sad to see.

Tome Hill  - A local man erected these 3 crosses on the very top for safe return of his 3 sons. He also promised God that he would pray in front of each cross.  

To this day pilgrims flock to the top of Tome Hill on Good Friday and many other times during the year.  No vehicles are allowed so those are all foot paths.  Some faithful will walk from Albuquerque (30 miles away), some carry crosses and some go on their knees.

 

 

Sandia Peak Tramway, Albuquerque, New Mexico

At the east end of Tramway Blvd, in Albuquerque, NM in the foothills of the Sandia mountains is the worlds longest 2.7 mile, aerial Tramway. 

On the 'flight' to the top one tram car passes the other. 

The trip goes over ponderosa pine, juniper and pinon forests, deep canyons and breathtaking terrain. Occasionally wild life can be spotted in and among the rocks.

After a 10 minute ride the tram arrives at the observation deck and building at the top. A short walk down a board walk, is the High Finance restaurant.

Looking to the east is the top of the Sandia Peak Ski area. That view has to be at least 30 - 40 miles, if not further.

The best time to go on top is at sunset.  The mountain the sun is setting behind, is Mt. Taylor by Grants, NM and about 50 miles away. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Once the sun sets, the lights in the valley start coming on and look like diamonds on velvet.  The silver strand is the Rio Grande River. 

 

A visit to the top of Sandia mountain either by driving to the top from Hwy 14 on the east side or taking the tram on the west side, is an absolute must for every visitor to Albuquerque. Absolutely breathtaking!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandia Peak tramway info

RAIL RUNNER Commuter Train - Belen, NM to Santa Fe, NM

We moved away from NM 8 years ago and this train wasn’t even started. The track is there and actually runs from Cheyenne, WY all through Colorado south to El Paso, TX.

For right now the Rail Runner only goes between Belen (about 30 miles south of Albuquerque and Santa Fe (about 60 miles north of Albuquerque).

It is strange to watch this train go by because going south the engine leads all the cars. I guess they are not able to turn it around so when it goes north the back end goes first with the engine in the back.

On our recent visit to NM we rode from our RV campground at Isleta Lakes to Santa Fe and enjoyed the whole trip. Gene grew up riding trains since his father worked for the Santa Fe Railroad out of Belen. This was the 1st time I was on a full sized train for so long a trip. We went upstairs and were able to really enjoy the views.

Just north of Albuquerque we passed a rock outcropping standing all by itself. When my kids were small they would call it “The Thumb” and wave their thumb pointing up as we came up to it and then wave with their thumb pointing down as we went past it. To this day I can’t pass The Thumb without thinking about that and smiling.

Some new rail had to be built and for a short distance, just south of Santa Fe, they put it right down the middle of I-25. It is very strange driving down the highway and having a train coming toward you in the middle of the road.

Even the new station on the south side of Santa Fe straddles both north and south lanes of the Interstate.

When we arrived in Santa Fe (and at all stops) there are FREE shuttles to take you to different locations in the area. We took ours to the Plaza (see follow up blog for our few hours in Santa Fe.)

Finally New Mexico got something right. The trip took about 90 minutes and with a senior discount the round trip cost $12.00 for the 2 of us!!! There are so many categories NM ranks in the lower 10 but they have to be really congratulated on this shuttle.

It seems to be successful too. The conductor said the 4:30 train from Santa Fe south has 600 –700 people every day.

Good job New Mexico!!! If you are visiting the area, take a few hours to ride the Rail Runner, sit back and enjoy the incredible scenery of the Land of Enchantment!!