Home before dark: A day trip to Cloudcroft

Las Cruces Bulletin

To truly understand the diversity of nature in southern New Mexico, seeing is believing. In less than two hours, travelers can experience a little bit of every landscape the Land of Enchantment offers. A fantastic day trip will take you east of Las Cruces to a pistachio ranch, a historic hotel and a big barn for unique shopping. And, you’ll be back home before dark.

Starting in Las Cruces and going east on Highway 70, fill your personal tank with fuel during a quick breakfast at Moongate Café, 9545 Bataan Memorial West. Famous for their steak fingers, this homey little restaurant does everything right. You’ll feel like you’ve been there before when you’re greeted like old friends by the waitresses and cooks. To find Moongate Café, head east on Highway 70, exit at Brahman Road and make a U-turn under the overpass. A couple quick miles bring you to the café, which just says, “Restaurant” across the roof. Call ahead to hold a table or jump start an order at 382-5744.

Head back east on Highway 70 (one more U-turn required) and feel the anticipation as you climb up San Augustin pass. Your ears may even pop. A quick stop at the overlook on the east side of the pass lets you take in the truly magical view of White Sands Missile Range.

The quick 60-mile trip through the Range will offer up a sneak peek at the drifting white sands of White Sands National Monument (the white sand is gypsum…) Save a drive through the Monument for another day—it should take all day.

There is a border patrol checkpoint just before you reach Alamogordo, which goes like this: merge into a slow lane of traffic, roll down your window, and when the nice Border Patrol officer asks if everyone in the car is a U.S. citizen, you say yes (if you are) and drive on.

I like to drive through Alamogordo rather than taking the bypass to see how the city of 31,000 grows, but it adds about 10 minutes to your trip. Your choice. (You’re now on Highway 54).

As you leave Alamogordo, take a quick jaunt straight ahead (northwest) on Highway 54/70 for five miles to the wonderful McGinn’s Pistachio Tree Ranch. The gift shop is very cool with samples of homemade nut products, including candy and Arena Blanca wines. Have a quick wine sample, and make sure to try the Chocolate Diablo: it might sound a little wacky, but it’s delicious and almost decadent.

Turn back south and take a left to Cloudcroft via Highway 82 east. The road threads you up and into the amazing Lincoln National Forest and opens up in Cloudcroft, population 850. On the left side of the highway, check out the shops along Burro Avenue. Park and walk this twoblock stretch of rustic buildings offering up everything from ladies’ fashions to Native American jewelry to antiques. Take your time: sit for a few minutes in the charming park, stroll the street and work up an appetite.

Heading back on Highway 82, take a left on Curlew Dr. and follow it to the Lodge Resort and Spa, 601 Corona Place, for lunch. Rebecca’s Restaurant, named for the beautiful red-headed ghost who haunts the hotel, is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 to 2 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for brunch. Take a tour of the Lodge itself and check out the cupola where Judy Garland and Clark Gable carved their names into the wooden walls. You can call ahead at 800-395-6343.

After lunch, head back down Highway 82 six and a half miles to the Old Apple Barn. This may very well become your favorite store, ever. (It is mine.) Open 365 days a year, the Old Apple Barn is hard to describe. It’s an emporium with some of the most unique products you’ll ever see; it’s a bakery with pie (made from local cherries and apples); a fudge factory with ice cream, vintage root beers, home décor and gifts to delight anyone. You’ll need a good hour to really browse here. Their hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the address is 949 Highway 82 (which is technically in High Rolls, NM). For more information, call 575-682-2276.

Heading back toward Alamogordo, breathe in the mountain air one more time and prepare to turn on the air conditioning again. You’ll notice a change in temperature of at least 20 degrees. Highway 70 west will take you home again before dark.