April 2025 |  Issue No. 59

Hello and welcome to my April 2025 newsletter. Happy Earth Month! Now that Spring is here and the weather will have the open road calling soon, I thought I'd circle back around to sharing some recent travel memories. If you recall, I visited El Morro National Monument last Fall. On that same trip I spent some time at nearby El Malpais National Monument in Grants, NM. It takes less than a couple of hours to reach this historically and geographically significant region from Albuquerque. So it's definitely a worthwhile and relatively easy drive if you're considering a road trip and looking for possible destinations. 

Bandera Volcano erupted approximately 10,000 years ago leaving behind one of the best and most easily accessible examples of an erupted cinder cone and lava field in North America. It spans 1,400 feet wide and 800 feet deep. 

El Malpais translates to “the badlands” in Spanish. The El Malpais National Conservation Area was established in 1987 to protect the geological area surrounding the Zuni-Bandera volcanic field. This diverse region includes sandstone bluffs, canyons, caves, and lava flows/tubes with highlights including Sandstone Bluffs Overlook, Lava Falls Area, El Calderon Area, Big Tubes Area, Zuni-Acoma Trail, Continental Divide Trail, La Ventana Natural Arch, Chain of Craters Back Country Byway, and surrounding wilderness areas. A favorite stop for photography, hiking, camping and wildlife viewing-the area is home to nationally significant geological, archaeological, ecological, cultural, scenic, scientific and wilderness resources. 

Referred to as the “Land of Fire and Ice” because the Bandera volcano eruption created a 23 mile river of molten lava, forming a collapsed lava tube. Over time, this became an ice cave. Due to the natural layers of ice that have been forming there for over 3,400 years, the temperature never rises above 31 degrees. This sacred place has a 1,200 year history of human interaction dating back to Ancestral Puebloans. The Ice Cave was one of the most interesting and unique experiences I had during my visit. The idea of a natural ice cave in the desert surrounded by ancient lava flows is extraordinary, and incredible to see in person! Please note that Ice Cave is privately owned, so you will have to pay a small fee at the Trading Post to view it, along with the Bandera Volcano. There are short hikes through old growth Juniper, Fir and Ponderosa Pine trees, along the Continental Divide, to each location from the entry point; as well as a more rugged connecting trail through the lava flow.

The Ice Cave is one of the many caves located within the National Monument and Conservation areas. El Malpais is actually home to one of the largest systems of lava tubes, spanning more than 17 miles. Many of the caves are natural habitats for bats, so you may want to check closures before visiting, as some may be off limits during bat hibernation periods and to protect specific colonies. During the summer months, sunset bat outflights are a common occurrence and Rangers have offered guided hikes to view them in the past years. Last year, these guided hikes were offered June-August so check back on the site for 2025 information. 

One of the most well known and photographed geological features is La Ventana Natural Arch, which is on BLM land in the National Conservation Area. It is the second largest natural arch in the state, tucked away in a small canyon that's easily accessible from Highway 117. This natural marvel is well worth the drive alone, but is just one of the remarkable sights within the National Monument and National Conservation areas. 

For well over 10,000 years this landscape has been a destination and home to humans. Prehistoric and historic sites within and surrounding the area are kept alive by contemporary Native American groups, including the Ramah Navajo and Puebloan people of Acoma, Laguna and Zuni. These beloved and sacred lands offer a link to the past and a connection to the present. When you visit the land and walk the trails, you can feel the powerful connection to nature, and those who came before.

El Malpais-Land of Frozen Fire takes you on a journey through the rugged terrain of lava fields that supports a surprising diversity of plant and animal life. 

Speaking of public lands, I visited Death Valley National Park for the very first time in February of this year. Wow, I am always in awe of and so grateful for the vastness of our public lands! As busy as everyday life is, I'm continuing to hold myself accountable for making time to travel and see some of the amazing natural wonders, both near and far. It seems like now it's even more important not to take these sacred places for granted. If an out of state trip isn't in the cards for you right now, we have some pretty incredible parks and monuments right here in New Mexico. Have you visited White Sands National Park, or Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, or even Petroglyph National Monument right in Albuquerque? No matter how much time or distance you have to put into a trip in the coming months; getting out, experiencing and supporting our land preservation is worthwhile. 

April Spotlight! 

I love adding more travel patches to my jacket!

If you are thinking of visiting one of our National Parks this year and don't have an annual pass-which I highly recommend-there is a fee-free day coming up later this month. In fact, the park system observes six free entry days each year.  Every April, to honor the first day of National Park Week, entry is fee-free. This year that falls on April 19, just in time to get a jump start on your Earth Day celebrations too. If you are thinking of visiting El Malpais National Monument on April 19, it is also Junior Ranger Day from 10am-2pm. To kick off the beginning of National Park Week, which runs from April 19-27, many national parks observe this celebration where Junior Rangers of all ages can learn more about the parks system. Make sure to check the scheduled activities at specific parks to be sure they have designated activities and Ranger support. 

 

The Spring real estate market in Albuquerque is ticking along with both inventory and pending sales up. Currently there is a more balanced market than it has been in the last five years. If you are thinking of buying or selling this season, or later this year, give me a call! I can help you achieve your 2025 real estate goals.

I wanted to take a moment to thank WESST for giving me and Jeree Hindi Tomasi the opportunity to host a class on Homeownership for Entreprenueurs last month. We were thrilled to share our knowledge, and hopefully help empower a few folks in their homeownership journey. If you are an entrepreneur, small business owner or self-employed individual, please reach out to me with any questions you may have about how homeownership and mortgage lending differs for W-2 employees vs those of us who are 1099 Self-Employed. 

 

I'm always eager to help when you, or anyone you know, need to buy, sell, or simply have a real estate question!

 

See you next month!

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