When in Ruidoso... (Timberon: theater, living, prices)

[jaxart]

...here is a wonderful half-day trip to make. Take a lunch, sit and enjoy 360 degree panoramic views at the fire lookout at the top of Monjeau Peak. Closed during the winter - and road is not all that well maintained, but accessible by passenger car if you use common sense when the road may get rough after a heavy rainfall.

The tower was constructed before WWII (1930s) by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) - one of Roosevelt's better ideas for depression-era job recovery. It belongs today to the Lincoln National Forest and is manned during the day in the summer fire season. The turn-off shown on the map below is just north of Ruidoso on Mechem Drive (NM-37/48).

Map showing how to get there.

Below: First flight of stairs from parking lot.

Below: Second flight of stairs and viewing platform below the enclosed cabin for fire watch personnel.

Below: View from back side of the tower.


If you do decide to visit, and have an extra place in your vehicle, please invite me along. I never get tired of the views from up there.

[songinthewind7]

Sounds like a great place to check out before Winter sets in.
Thanks for sharing.

[JDTH]

It is a beautiful spot. One of the first things we did in Ruidoso was take a guided tour and Monjeau Peak was the first place they took us. It was real nice but I am physically unable to climb the stairs so I am sure I missed the best part.

[catman]

I'll have to try it on my motorcycle next time I make it out there! If a passenger car can make it, my bike probably can. Thanks for the info and photos, jaxart.

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by catman

I'll have to try it on my motorcycle next time I make it out there! If a passenger car can make it, my bike probably can.

It's a very "gravely" road - gravel has been hauled in, dumped and spread with a road grader many times, so that would be a concern for anyone on a two-wheeler, I think. I've seen someone lay a bike down just going around a corner on a paved street where gravel was present. And as a rider of "fat tire" bicycles, I hate riding graveled roads.

[jaxart]

Expanding the content of this thread, I quote from the "chat thread" as follows:

Originally Posted by chilegal

...will be at a potluck at the red barn in Timberon, with TWO bands. Sounds like we all will be having fun.

During the summer months, one of the fun things to do IN RUIDOSO in the evening is attend the "western shoot-out" that precedes the sit-down chuck wagon supper followed by an hour or more of western-style entertainment.

This all takes place at the FLYING J RANCH.

It's the best family entertainment in town during the summer weekend tourist season. Reservations are highly recommended (may be required nowadays). Ticket prices cover the full event, including the meal. Access to the ranch is just north of the entrance to the Alto/Kokopelli area on NM-37/48.

Flying J Ranch Chuckwagon Suppers and Western Show - Ruidoso New Mexico

[JDTH]

I've never seen the show, but I have heard a lot of good things about it. Many people who stay at our place recommend it as a great "family outing". It looks like a lot of fun and we will put it on our list of things to do in Ruidoso. They also do a great Christmas show at the Spencer Theater.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by jaxart

...

This all takes place at the FLYING J RANCH.

It's the best family entertainment in town during the summer weekend tourist season. Reservations are highly recommended (may be required nowadays). Ticket prices cover the full event, including the meal. Access to the ranch is just north of the entrance to the Alto/Kokopelli area on NM-37/48.

Flying J Ranch Chuckwagon Suppers and Western Show - Ruidoso New Mexico

I enjoyed the show when I went last year, and it is fun.

But I wouldn't go back...once is plenty!

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

I enjoyed the show when I went last year, and it is fun.

But I wouldn't go back...once is plenty!

It's a great place to entertain out of town guests if you live in the Ruidoso area. That's one reason I've been more than once. And because "cowboy and western" music/culture is not everyone's cuppa - I can understand why "once is enough."

The other reason I've been more than once is that when my mom was living, it was her annual "treat" for whoever happened to be staying with her when she was in Ruidoso.

As has already been mentioned in this thread, there IS and ALTERNATIVE to "country/western" in Ruidoso - the "state of the art" Spencer Theater. It does not have a regular weekly show but does have various performances during the summer. And they provide weekday FREE tours of the theater, with its world-class collection of glass art works by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. For those who are unaware of the Spencer, and the unique story behind it, here is their web site:

SPENCER THEATER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

[Cathy4017]

I enjoyed the music, but wasn't too crazy about the food. The BBQ wasn't all that great. It's also relatively expensive--at about $25/person. Fine for once, but that was plenty.

I wished I had been here for Ray Benson's (Asleep at the Wheel) show. Maybe next year!