Ruidoso, New Mexico

Ruidoso is a village in Lincoln County New Mexico next to the Lincoln National Forest.  It is a mountain resort town located in the rugged Sierra Blanca mountain range that merges with the Sacramento Mountains in South Central New Mexico.  The village got its name from the Rio Ruidoso (Spanish for Noisy River), a stream that winds its way through the town.

The 12,000 foot Sierra Blanca peak has attracted human beings for thousands of years making a rich history of Ruidoso.   There are pit houses and petroglyphs in the area that date back between 900 and 1400 AD.  The Mescalero Apaches consider the mountain to be the home of their protectors, the mountain gods, and there is a large reservation in the area that is home to many Mescalero Apache Native Americans.  The tribe runs a wonderful venue called Inn of the Mountain Gods which is a resort overlooking a beautiful mountain lake.  The resort includes several restaurants, a casino, a golf course, 2 zip lines, hunting, fishing, and various entertainment venues including concerts.

Sierra Blanca, which means white mountain, is also home to Ski Apache, New Mexico’s premiere ski and snowboard destination.  There are dozens of trails for all levels.  The resort has been in operation since 1961 and has been recently updated and includes New Mexico’s only gondola which non skiers and summer visitors can ride to the top to see White Sands National Monument and the black lava rock of the Valley of Fires.

Not only is this a beautiful winter wonderland with skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing, and cozy cabins with fireplaces and the best fire shutters uk for security, but it is also a virtual playground for the southwest, allowing an escape from the summer heat to enjoy the cool pines.  

The summer kicks off on Memorial Day with the opening of the Ruidoso Downs Race Track.  Every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day the ponies have been running since 1946.  It is thrilling to watch these quarter horses thundering down the track.  Ruidoso Downs is home to the world’s richest quarter horse race, the All American Futurity, that culminates the racing season on Labor Day every year.  It, along with the Rainbow Futurity and the Ruidoso Futurity, make up the quarter horse triple crown.

Besides horse racing, the summer activities in the area are abundant, including picnicking, hiking, mountain bike riding, golfing, fishing, tennis, horseback riding, art galleries, outdoor cafes, and quaint shopping in midtown.

Ruidoso is mountain beauty that boasts something for everyone, from simple pleasures of relaxing in a family cabin on a deck barbecuing, to adventures like skiing, zip lining, and horse racing.  Come once and try a few things this mountain town has to offer, and we guarantee you will be back again and again to discover more adventures and make wonderful memories with family and friends in this scenic mountain town that is surrounded by pine trees and a noisy river.

Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas

Possum Kingdom Lake is a majestic lake along the Brazos River just 80 miles west of Fort Worth, Texas. This beautiful lake is famous for the huge cliffs that line the walls of the south end of the lake. Possum Kingdom has clear blue waters that are perfect for fishing or recreational boating. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also popular on this lake.  Hiking and biking on the many trails that criss-cross the hills surrounding this lake can be a full weekend of fun.

Possum Kingdom Lake winds for 65 miles from the north end to dam at the south end as the lake follows along the Brazos River. There are excellent markers (buoys) from the north end of the lake that follow the river channel allowing boaters to more easily navigate the length of the lake. The markers are even lighted at night as many boaters use it to return home from a day spent on the south end of the lake.

One of the most popular visitor’s attractions is Hell’s Gate Possum Kingdom Lake. This area is well known for the break in the high cliff walls that lead back into a huge cove area. The Hell’s Gate area is very popular in the summer for boaters to get together and tie up for the day.

Possum Kingdom Lake is one of the most popular lakes in north Texas. It is surrounded by many beautiful lake homes which line the shores. With over 17,000 surface acres and over 300 miles of shoreline, Possum Kingdom Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Texas.

Pensacola Beach, Florida

Clear waters and inviting sugar-white sand beckon visitors to Pensacola Beach, where the atmosphere ranges from lively crowds and lifeguards to quiet beaches bordered by wispy sea grass.

No matter what the season, beachgoers can relax on the sunny, peaceful shores of the Pensacola Beach area’s award-winning, emerald-green coastline.

Pensacola Beach also offers an array of shopping, lodging, restaurants, beach bars and entertainment – all with minimum travel, traffic and cost.

In addition, the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier and Observation Post stretches 1,471 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, providing breathtaking views.

The Great Smoky Mountains, TN

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular National Park in the country and hosts well over ten-million annual visitors. Still not impressed? It gets more annual visitors than the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone combined. This beautiful mountain range reaches towering heights of nearly seven-thousand feet, but is famous for its magical, smoky
haze.

Imagine seeing elk in their natural habitat, hearing the sounds of mountain rivers, and enjoying a stress-free afternoon hiking to a waterfall. Why not spend a day touring Cades Cove and exploring the history and beauty of this pioneer community? When you’re done, meander down Little River Road and let the beauty all around you soak in.