Capulin Contemplations — New Mexico

Here in New Mexico, we put red and green chile on everything. Go to any Mexican or New Mexican restaurant, and when you order you’ll invariably be asked: red or green?

Ah, but there’s a third option out there, one that combines the smokiness of the red chile with the cleaner heat of the green. Don’t want to choose between red or green? Here's what you can do...

There are times I want to leave this state, pack up and find a new adventure somewhere else. But then autumn trundles around, and I’m reminded why I always hesitate to leave New Mexico.

There will always be somewhere “better” than here, somewhere that seems to offer greater promise. But this is why I’m so reluctant to leave New Mexico, this peaceful—even pensive—portion of the year.

The end of summer. The beginning of autumn. The best time of year in New Mexico.

Every October, the hometown of Capulin Creations—Albuquerque, New Mexico—hosts the largest hot air balloon festival in the world. Along with it rolls out the art shows, the craft and music festivals, the amazing food, and the even more amazing people.

This is quintessential New Mexico, the Southwest at its finest.

I wasn’t born in New Mexico, but I got here as soon as I could. It’s such a wildly beautiful place, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. New Mexico is a study in dichotomy, a land of contrasts. Between its droughts and floods, volcanoes and river valleys, forest fires and ice caves, this land will entrap you. But only because it has enchanted you. Whether you’re a permanent resident here, an occasional visitor, or only dream of this enchanting place, I trust you’ll find it as fascinating as I do.

Rain is fleeting in the desert, precious for its water no matter the season, no matter how much has or hasn’t fallen.

Rain gives life. It gives the New Mexico landscape more ephemeral gifts as well, gifts even more fleeting that than the afternoon storms that bring them.