15 Sights That Are Only Weird If You Aren’t From New Mexico
There are certain sights and experiences that New Mexico natives never question and that transplants quickly accept. However, visitors to the Land of Enchantment are sometimes intrigued or baffled by these 15 things:
Hornos are traditional domed ovens that are constructed from adobe bricks. If you've ever eaten anything baked in one, the experience will be cemented in your memory.
Dirt and water are the literal building blocks of adobe structures. Straw is usually added to strengthen the bricks.
Nope? Then chances are you're a New Mexican. Every year, Zozobra (also called Old Man Gloom) is set ablaze in a huge festival in Santa Fe. This is a symbolic act. As Old Man Gloom burns, misery is supposed to be erased, allowing hope to return.
...But at this point we're immune to alien stuff.
Locals recognize these objects as chile roasters and immediately start drooling. Or lining up.
Spotting a roadrunner is a treat even for New Mexicans because these skittish birds can move at speeds of up to 17 miles per hour. Did you know that roadrunners eat scorpions and rattlesnakes?
They're actually dinosaur footprints in Clayton Lake State Park. Dinosaurs definitely left their mark on the Land of Enchantment.
...Godzilla-sized tumbleweeds.
Witnessing a double rainbow is special but not that uncommon here.
One word: microclimates.
And they're always dramatic.
Often compared to Lourdes, the sacred earth here is believed to have healing properties.
A ristra vendor transports these decorations, which are made from dried chiles. You'll see them hanging outside buildings throughout the state.
What images scream “New Mexico” to you? If you live here, you’ll doubtless also recognize these iconic images.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
