Northeast, New Mexico

Long ago in the 1540s Francisco Vazquez de Coronado and his expedition of conquistadors scoured the rugged and rolling terrain of the Northeast Region for the Seven Cities of Cibola. History tells us that he never found gold, but he did come upon the treasure of Pecos Pueblo. Today you can explore the ruins of this abandoned pueblo, which at one time towered up to five stories. Today, all that visiblity remains are the ruins of an adobe Spanish colonial church.

Remnants of the romantic Old West abound in the northeast, which had more than its share of cowboys and outlaws. Still visible in many locations are deep wagon-whell ruts left by travelers on the Santa Fe Trail, which was established 175 years ago and stretched from Missouri to downtown Santa Fe. Visit Fort Union National Monument, where the ruins of a large Army outpost remind of the soldiers who protected pioneers and traders on the trail.

Every spring and fall, a variety of magnificent waterfowl and birds of prey can be seen making their seasonal commutes through the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge. Hike or drive to the top of Capulin Volcano National Monument, where on a clear day you can see Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. The northeastern landscape is a living monument to the centries of past people and it awaits the adventures of generations to come.