Let's get some Red River talk going. (Chama: condos, homes)

[sigerkat]

I used to go there just about every year at least once growing up in the 60's and 70's. I love it there. Unfortunately I haven't been since '86. I plan on getting back there some day. *heavy sigh*

[Cathy4017]

Actually, I wish someone would talk about Red River.

I've been hearing about it off and on since I started my research on NM/CO/AZ/WY.

I ski at Sipapu, so I might see about driving on up to RR this next winter, unless it is impassable.

[Crackerjack]

I have been one of the ones trying to talk about Red River! It is one of my favorite places too. It is still small though so not a lot of opportunities for career or working people; more for retired people. It has still lots of unspoiled beauty! It also is pretty cold in winter, which will turn many off but not the bitter cold like up in Wyoming or Montana or anything like that but cold for NM. It is a great place and remains on the top of my list of favorite places in NM.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Crackerjack

It also is pretty cold in winter, which will turn many off but not the bitter cold like up in Wyoming or Montana or anything like that but cold for NM. It is a great place and remains on the top of my list of favorite places in NM.

The thing that concerns me is not the cold....but having the mountain pass be difficult to navigate/very icy in the winter. With not much there, you'd have to make trips to nearby larger cities (SF, Alb) for groceries and major purchases.

At 8700 ft/elevation, I imagine it is pretty cold in the winter, but I bet the summers are great!

[Crackerjack]

You are right Cathy4017. The summers are perfect. The pass is a major factor. Until the town becomes self reliant, I don't see how working people could live there but maybe have summer cabins or homes there. That may be what Red River residents know is to their benefit!

[Cathy4017]

I don't see how working people could live there but maybe have summer cabins or homes there. That may be what Red River residents know is to their benefit!

Exactly, LOL!!!

I don't think I'd want to navigate that pass all winter long myself.

[catman]

I've been there several times over the past thirty years on my motorcycle (in autumn mostly). It's one of my favorite places, although I'm afraid that too many people know about it now, and it'll grow and fill up with condos. I may have to start going to Chama or some other less well known place if it does. I love it up there, though. I had to follow a snow-plow out of it on October 16th one year though (I was in a car that time, fortunately!)...so it does have cold winters.

[Janet57]

I left NM to go live in Scotland for about 6 months...I loved it there too...

[Crackerjack]

Thank goodness for the pass to Red River. Most people won't drive that in the winter and that hopefully will keep Red River the small town it should always be.

[catman]

Originally Posted by Crackerjack

Thank goodness for the pass to Red River. Most people won't drive that in the winter and that hopefully will keep Red River the small town it should always be.

I hope you're right, but it's grown quite a bit since I started going there. It increased 27% in population from 1990-2005. I doubt if it will be a big city anytime soon.