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I suppose one could say, NM has a lot of beach, just no ocean (or at least not since the Triassic/Jurassic/Cretaceous periods, anyway).
Thanks for my morning laugh. Having just moved here a few months ago, I must say when my husband got a job offer here in Albuquerque, I was very underwhelmed. I didn't know a lot about ABQ. I had been to Santa Fe on a vacation and while driving back to Dallas took the Sandia Peak tram, but that was all I had seen of ABQ.
True, I figured it was a lot better than Lubbock, TX, but I wasn't too thrilled. I came here to visit and explore before we made our final decision, and I was pleasantly surprised.
There are certain places, whether it is due to marketing or word-of-mouth that people get excited about. When I say I lived in Austin, people say, "Oh, Austin, I heard it is great." When I say I lived in Dallas, people say, "Oh." When I say I'm from Wisconsin, people say, "Oh, the Packers."
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by High_Plains_Retired
BTW, this from a native Texan whose love for New Mexico has not declined since I first saw it in 1968. I just wish the State would quit advertising itself to those who wouldn't appreciate New Mexico even if they owned it.
People seem to get aghast that I don't appreciate Boston as much as they do. Yes it is a very interesting city, but I've been around it for 29 years of my life. I’ve had my fill of it thank you. I’m sure Paris wouldn’t be that intriguing to me either if I spent that much time there. They still don't get it, not that I really owe them an explanation they would think is rational. Saying "I'm moving to New Mexico" has gotten me a few puzzled looks. I mention Albuquerque and they conjure up images of a divey crack motel on E. Central Ave that they saw on the show "COPS" once. Whatever, I find Albuquerque and New Mexico to be a fascinating place with much for me to explore. That's all that matters to me and I kind of like that its still a bit under the radar.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 11-09-2011 at 05:58 PM..
I am puzzled by this NM tourism secretary who is concerned about NM becoming a Colorado Jr. Perhaps she doesn't know Colorado well. NM & Colorado are very different.
I also could care less what focus groups in far away cities had to say.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poncho_NM
I really could care less what "responses from focus group members in Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles" had to say...
If I can play devil's advocate for a minute... Coastline and water can only be enjoyed one little bit at a time by most people. Which state has the most of it is academic. Most Michiganders have only seen a tiny fraction of their state's coastline, and that's enough. If you put them on the Wisconsin shore they wouldn't know the difference. Living in New Mexico, if I want to see water or go for a swim I'm not going to Michigan for it, there are closer options. I've enjoyed Michigan beaches but I've also been there in summer when the weather was too cold for swimming. Do you really know New Mexicans who go to Michigan because of the water? Nothing against Michigan, but this "we have the most of X" strategy doesn't work for me, if all I can reasonably enjoy is a little bit of X.
Perhaps Santa Fe with its endless art galleries and annual markets is New Mexico's most unique tourism asset, followed by the national parks and monuments. Acoma Pueblo is also highly rated by visitors. Native culture continues to be a draw.
Like I said, you sell what you've got on the wagon. MI has endless water, 1000's of square miles of forest, wineries, some cool towns, lots of history, museums and plenty of Indian culture there too. Not for everyone, but that's just fine as long as those who DO find it attractive visit and leave some money behind.
SF is certainly among the top human-type attractions of NM, and the parks, canyons, deserts and mountains (what, more rocks??) among the most interesting natural sights.
The three cultures of New Mexico is very interesting and pretty unique, something I'd make a big deal about if I was marketing the state. You can sell that in art, culture, food, festivities and other ways. Louisiana has done that with Acadiana (Cajun country) and Creole culture in New Orleans very successfully.
Then there's the mythic cowboys/Wild West/outlaws thing.
The net is that there's a lot to sell on New Mexico's wagon...it's just not being done all that well.
When people making their first trip to NM ask what to see, I always recommend Acoma.
Looks like it may be been autographed... Looks like a few stickers? Of course the bullet holes are in good taste, not too many, not bulls-eyes so as to brag....
Rich
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Living in New Mexico, if I want to see water or go for a swim I'm not going to Michigan for it, there are closer options. I've enjoyed Michigan beaches but I've also been there in summer when the weather was too cold for swimming. Do you really know New Mexicans who go to Michigan because of the water? 
Nothing against Michigan, but this "we have the most of X" strategy doesn't work for me, if all I can reasonably enjoy is a little bit of X.
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