Best View of the Rio Grande
By Richard Mahler
Author of "New Mexico's
Best"
White Rock Overlook-also called
Overlook Park-is a spectacular aerie on a basalt cliff high above
the roiling, frothy Rio Grande. There are a few picnic tables
and a hiking trail that winds to the river below. This is a terrific
place to watch the vast New Mexico sky against a backdrop of tall
mountains and deep canyons.
"Go while you still can<" advises
geographer and author Don Usner." The New Mexico Highway Department
is considering construction of a new road through the gorge tht
would remove this overlook."
If You Go:
Take U.S. 84/285 north from Santa Fe to Pojoaque, then
N.M. 502 west toward Los Alamos, then follow N.M. 4 for 4 miles
to the small community of White Rock. Look for the Overlook
Park directional sign. You'll drive through a residential
neighborhood to get there.
Insider
Tip: If you want to see another side of the local landscape,
visit the Bradbury Science Museum (505-667-4444) in the
city of Los Alamos (at 15th and Central). You'll see
exhibits outlining the history of the atomic bomb, born here in
1945. so secret was research surrounding this device that Los
Alamos was closed to unauthorized visitors until 1957. Open daily,
admission free.
Los Alamos also
has one of New Mexico's few outdoor ice-skating rinks,
open daily during the coldest winter months for a small admission
fee. The rink is in a canyon off West Road, near downtown. Rental
skates are available.
Richard Mahler is author of "New
Mexico's Best" and several other books. A journalist and photographer
as well, he specializes in travel writing, among other subjects.
He has contributed to National Public Radio since 1973 and to
the Los Angeles Times since 1979. He has written thousands
of articles for more than 100 magazines and newspapers, including
The New Mexican, New Mexico magazine, and Santa Fean
magazine. A longtime resident of New Mexico, he lives in Santa
Fe.
For a full listing of Richard Mahler's
books, and to place orders for them, visit Amazon.com.
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