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The Checkerspot Butterfly in Cloudcroft

April 12, 2013 in Blog

Even though the weather isn’t exactly shorts-and-t-shirt temps yet, spring is definitely in the air, as the wildlife (particularly the birds and bugs) have awakened from winter and are busily doing what they do. Combined with the spectacular scenery of southern New Mexico, the local critters make hiking the Sacramento Mountain trails a key activity, should you vacation in Cloudcroft in the spring and summer.

From a variety of over 200 different birds (like the pygmy nuthatch robin and several types of finches) to deer, raccoons, skunks, and even bears, you’re likely to encounter many furry and feathered acquaintances. While you should never feed the wildlife (they’re pretty good at finding their own food, despite what they might try to get you to believe), keep your distance and take a picture.

One particular creature you’ll want to capture on film or digital memory is wildlife. The checkerspot is endemic to a single patch of forest, about 30 miles square; this is the only place in the world where this butterfly lives. Like most butterflies, this one feeds on and pollinates plants, and it’s partial to sneezeweed. However, it only lays eggs on the New Mexico penstemon, which only grows in the Sacramento and Capitan mountains. In other words, Cloudcroft is basically the only place where you can see these rare insects.

As you may imagine, these butterflies are in danger of extinction, and Otero County has created a conservation program with the Fish and Wildlife Service to help the species continue and thrive. As such, you should be aware while you’re tramping through the meadows and forests around Cloudcroft that you could encounter an endangered species. Be careful not to harm them, but should you find one landing on your shoulder or resting on a flower (the checkerspot has a beautiful orange, brown, and white pattern on its wings), be sure to snap a pic. If you use Instagram, tag it with #checkerspotbutterfly and #cloudcroft—we love seeing pictures of the things that make living here really special!

Tags: birds, Cloudcroft, New Mexico, spring
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Easter Weekend in Cloudcroft New Mexico

March 28, 2013 in Blog

Do you ever drive through small, one-stoplight towns and wonder what it’s like to be a kid in those places? Cloudcroft, New Mexico might be a one of those little spots off the road, but there’s no doubt about it—we have plenty of kids who live here, and there’s plenty for them to do, especially on Easter weekend.

This Easter weekend, for example, is the annual Kiwanis Club Easter Egg Hunt held at Zenith Park. The Kiwanis will be laying a thousand eggs all over Zenith park, waiting for eager little ones to find them. The event kicks off at 10am, and there will be lots of goodies from the Easter Bunny—even Smokey the Bear is going to be there! If the kiddos don’t get their fill of scrambling for Easter eggs on Saturday at the Kiwanis’ event, the Lodge has its own Easter egg hunt on Sunday, starting with Easter brunch at the resort’s restaurant, Rebecca’s, where the Easter Bunny will make a special appearance. Then at 1:30, the Easter egg hunt kicks off, and there will prizes awarded to the kids who find secret, special eggs.

All in all, Easter weekend is just one of the many fun things for children in our little mountain village. Cloudcroft might be a small town, but growing up here offers lots of rich experiences—if you and your family want to check it out, please get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to show you around, and hopefully find a place for you to set down some roots!

Tags: Cloudcroft, holiday, New Mexico, spring
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Cloudcroft, New Mexico, a Quaint Mountain Village

March 1, 2013 in Blog

Whether you’re a local or just spending some badly needed vacation time in Cloudcroft, Cloudcroft offers a quaint mountain village experience that’s great for unwinding from the grind and pressure of a bigger city. From the trading posts and restaurants on Burro Avenue to the hiking trails of the surrounding Sacramento Mountains, there’s lots of ways to recharge your mental, physical, and spiritual batteries.

If you’re visiting Cloudcroft for the first time, you’ll definitely want to make a stop at the Sacramento Mountains Historical Museum and Pioneer Village. Here you’ll find how our little town got its start as a projected lumber source that quickly turned into a vacation spot. That was in the late 19th century, and we’ve been attracting people looking for a mountain getaway ever since. The museum’s historical exhibits contain a startling collection of early Cloudcroft artifacts, and you can stroll through the pioneer village to get a feel of what life was like for the founders of our town. You can even hold events at the chapel; if you are looking for a unique and beautiful site for a wedding, the chapel is a wonderful venue.

Along with fantastic natural scenery and friendly locals, the Historical Museum is just one of many attractions that make a stay in Cloudcroft a nice break from your daily routine. If you’re looking for a spring or summer getaway in southern New Mexico, put Cloudcroft on your radar!

Tags: Cloudcroft, Mountains, New Mexico, vacation
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The Beauty of Cloudcroft in the Winter

February 16, 2013 in Blog

Right now, the shops on northeast side of Burro Ave are framed by a swath of bright blue sky and a border of pine trees. ’This was the latest image of Cloudcroft Webcam. Looking at the picture, you wouldn’t know that the temp is in the low 50s, because it’s showing such a beautiful day. Even when the snow is scarce, winter in Cloudcroft is still pretty gorgeous.

Watching the scene change every 30 seconds is kind of fun, because it’s like watching a painting that changes subtly, with people walking in and out of the storefronts and the parking spaces filling and emptying. Oddly enough, you get a window (if you pardon the expression) to what life in Cloudcroft is like—slow paced, gorgeous scenery, a charming lack of traffic; it might sound silly, but since Cloudcroft is so small, the webcam is a great microcosm of what a little weekend trip to the village is like—in short, it’s relaxing.

Certainly, there is plenty to do in Cloudcroft outdoors, but if you’re just wanting a change of scenery in a peaceful environment, renting a cabin in Cloudcroft for a few days is a perfect way to recharge your batteries. Imagine a nice little stroll through the shops on Burro, stopping into the Western Bar for a beer, maybe getting a nice dinner at the Lodge—if you need a break from too much excitement, some mountain therapy could be just what you need. Just remember to wave at the webcam when you head downtown!

Tags: Cloudcroft, New Mexico, vacation, winter
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New Mexico’s Natural Beauty

February 1, 2013 in Blog

As much as we love winter here in Cloudcroft, we’re always glad to see spring when it finally starts to come alive in March. If you’re a nature lover, Cloudcroft and the surrounding Sacramento Mountains area of Southern New Mexico are simply spectacular in spring, exploding in a riot of birdsong and color. It’s part of why all of us at Amigo Realty love our job—getting folks closer to New Mexico’s natural beauty is one of our passions.

One of the most beautiful places near Cloudcroft is the waterfall at Bluff Springs. Found amid the meadows surrounding Willie White Spur Trail, the Bluff Spring waterfall’s natural appeal is only matched by the serenity you experience from soaking in the sun and listening to the water rush over the bluff. Fed by mountain snow runoff, the Bluff Springs waterfall runs all summer long. It’s a great spot for a break from your hiking adventure, and there are picnic benches overlooking the falls if you’ve brought a lunch (just please please please remember to leave the little park area the way you found it).

Is it too early to be thinking about the spring and summer? Maybe it just depends on how much you like winter. Regardless of the season, Bluff Springs is just one of many natural treasures hidden in Southern New Mexico. If you’d like to spend some time hunting for them, talk to us about a place to stay!

Tags: Cloudcroft, New Mexico, spring, vacation
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New Mexico Ski Vacation

December 17, 2012 in Blog

Now that the winter weather has finally made an appearance, the holidays finally feel like they’re in full swing. Christmas is about a week away, and it could very well be a white one; hopefully the snow cooperates and the sky dumps a ton of great powder on the slopes. After all, while I appreciate the snow in Cloudcroft because it’s beautiful, I also appreciate it because it’s fun.

Winter vacations in Cloudcroft are great when there’s a lot of powder on the mountain because we have access to several nearby ski resorts and we’re not too far from Ruidoso. Skiers and boarders are in for a treat—“America’s southernmost ski resort”, Ski Cloudcroft, is about a 10 minute drive from town, and it offers several great slopes for quick runs, making it perfect for half-day lift-tickets if you happen to sleep in. Ski Apache, about an hour up the road in Mescalero, is one of the top resorts in the country, with a wide variety of runs for all skill levels. While all the resorts have rentals available, you can also rent equipment from a number of outfitters in Cloudcroft, advantageous if you plan on skiing for a week.

Taking a week to enjoy winter sports in Cloudcroft is a fantastic way to spend some vacation time, and while there are plenty of great hotels and motels (and a Holiday Inn in Alamorgordo), you should really do it right and rent a cabin. Renting a cabin for your New Mexico ski vacation lets you live here for a little bit, rather than the compartmentalized short-term stay in a hotel room. Imagine coming home from a day of snowboarding and digging into the chili you’ve had simmering in the crockpot all day, maybe uncorking a bottle of wine or cracking open a few ice-cold beers, perhaps putting an ice cold beer on a swollen ankle or knee! When you and your family or a group of friends have a cabin for a week, you get a chance to really relax and hang out, rather than merely cramming into a room with two double beds and watching hotel cable until it’s time to get up and ski again.

The ski season in Cloudcroft, like anywhere else, is dependent on what the weather does, so when the snow arrives, you might as well live it up in a cabin, and enjoy the season to the max. Have a great Christmas and New Year! We hope to see you soon!

Tags: Cloudcroft, holiday, Mountains, New Mexico, snow, vacation, winter
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Holidays in Cloudcroft New Mexico

December 2, 2012 in Blog

Well, now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, have you started your diet or workout regimen? If you’re like the Amigo staff, you’ll probably start it… tomorrow. Just kidding! We’ll get around to it eventually, but with the holiday season in full swing, there’s so much shopping, baking, and visiting to do that the treadmill might get a little underused. That’s okay, because Christmas in Cloudcroft is plenty fun even if you end up with a few extra pounds or an inch or two on the waist.

One thing we look forward to at the beginning of every holiday season is the annual Lighted Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting on Burro Street. Burro Street is the scene for many of our little village’s seasonal events, but the Christmas Parade and the tree lighting are by far the most spectacular. This year, be sure to get a spot on Cloudcroft’s main drag by 7pm on Saturday, December 8th for the start of the parade—if you get there at 5pm, there will be refreshments available, too.

The tree lighting is one of the best parts, too. Your family members are welcome and encouraged to bring ornaments for the tree, and if you have young children, this is one of those great family memory moments you don’t want to miss. With the parade, the Christmas tree and all the caroling in between, the start of Cloudcroft’s holiday season is a must-do, and just another fun thing that makes living or vacationing in Southern New Mexico truly spectacular.

And speaking of vacationing, if you’re from out of town and are looking for a winter vacation or getaway in Cloudcroft, don’t hesitate to give Amigo Realty a call. We have some cozy cabins and vacation homes for rent, lease and sale, and we’d love to meet you this holiday season.

Tags: Cloudcroft, holiday, Mountains, New Mexico, Real Estate, snow, vacation homes, winter
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Cloudcroft Snow Season

November 1, 2012 in Blog

Given the way the weather’s been lately, we really hope everyone in Cloudcroft has been able to spend some time outside—doing outdoor activities in Cloudcroft during the fall is a great way to enjoy the season, and since this year has been a little on the warm side, it makes hiking, biking, bird watching, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and everything else you like to do in the sunshine that much better. Of course, by this time last year, Cloudcroft we’re already anticipating our first snow. This year, despite temperatures dropping down to the middle 30s at night, we have yet to have enough moisture and to match the freezing point. While skiing, snowboarding, sledding and all the other snow-centric pastimes might be a week or two later than normal, but we’re not worried. The snow always comes, and before too long we’ll be packing more of it into the belly of another giant snowman in the front yard.

With seasonal weather imminent, if a little bit tardy, it’s never too early to plan a winter vacation. As soon as we get a big storm through here, the mountains will be full of great powder, and Ski Cloudcroft will get the lifts going. If you have the vacation time available, renting a cabin in Cloudcroft for a few days or a week is a great way to wrap up the year, hitting the slopes with friends, family or both. At Ski Cloudcroft’s resort, you’ll find equipment rental for skiers and boarders, plus lessons for newbies or people who need to brush up on the basics. As for your lodging, putting you in a sweet New Mexico vacation cabin is what we do—Amigo Realty has winter vacation cabins and homes for rent, and if you really enjoy your stay, we’d love to talk to you about purchasing a vacation house of your own. In any case, do a little snow dance, because we can’t wait until Cloudcroft turns into a winter wonderland. For now, we’re going to step outside for a little sun.

Tags: Cloudcroft, holiday, New Mexico, snow, winter
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Cloudcroft Fall Harvest Fest

October 14, 2012 in Blog

Well, the leaves are falling and the temperature is dropping, and before too long, we’ll see the first flakes of snow. Before Cloudcroft turns into a charming little winter hamlet (like you’d find in a snowglobe, perhaps), it’s celebrating fall with the Fall Harvest Fest Saturday, October 27. It’s a good alternative to Halloween for younger children, especially since Halloween falls on a weeknight this year.

This event is a spooktacular day of family fun, and if you have kids, you definitely don’t want to miss it. Even if you don’t have any little ones putting on costumes, the event will be a hoot for everyone, as the Nivision library is showcasing carved and decorated pumpkins at 1pm, followed by a costume contest and parade on Burro Avenue at 3p. We can’t wait to see what the most popular Halloween costume is—we have a feeling we’re going to see a lot of little Avengers out there. Of course, you can’t celebrate Halloween in Cloudcroft without trick or treating, so Burro Avenue will turn into a veritable candy depot from 4-6p for all the little super-heroes, monsters, and other things that go bump (and shout “Trick-or-treat”) in the night.

Our favorite part of the Fall Harvest Festival? The 17th Annual Great Pumpkin Race! Amateurs, semi-pros and pros will compete for prizes by rolling pumpkins down a hill. It’s as hilarious as it sounds, and it’s fun to see what kind of wheels the pros put on their pumpkins. Be sure to get there before 11a because that’s when the races start. We can’t wait to see you all there!

Tags: Cloudcroft, Fall, festival, Harvest, New Mexico
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Mountain Biking in Cloudcroft, New Mexico

September 28, 2012 in Blog

Let’s say you’re thinking about planning a little New Mexico mountain vacation—renting a vacation cabin, sitting on the deck, maybe eating at a local restaurant… but what else? If you don’t live in Cloudcroft, you might wonder what there is to do in a little mountain village in southern New Mexico, besides look at some beautiful scenery and browse some fun boutiques. Well, of course there are some great hiking trails, and horseback riding, and you can also play golf at the Lodge Resort, but if you’re looking for a little excitement, Cloudcroft is close to a lot of great mountain biking run.

You’ll find eight trails that are nearby, ranging in skill level from super-easy to advanced; most of the eight are good for intermediate riders. Pumphouse Ridge, for example, is great for anyone who’s never tried the sport before, and if that’s you, you’ll want to save the High Altitude Racing Loop for when you’re a lot more experienced. Wills Canyon is another popular easy ride, and the Rim Trail is about thirty-two miles of some cool switchbacks and down-hill cruises that are great for the journeyman biker.

A great resource for mountain biking in Cloudcroft is the High Altitude Bike Shop. It has a ton of great gear for sale or rent, plus it offers regular riding groups, depending on the season. The folks at High Altitude can also set you up with disc golf supplies, too!

A Cloudcroft vacation is great for relaxing, but if you’re the type who doesn’t like to sit still for too long, you’ll find some thrills here, too. Call us if you’d like to rent a cabin and do some riding this fall!

Tags: Cloudcroft, mountain biking, Mountains, New Mexico, vacation homes
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