Getaway: Jemez Springs
Sandoval County is one of New Mexico’s best-kept secrets. Located only 50 miles
southwest of Albuquerque, it’s home the breathtaking sights of the dessert wilderness, the
luxury of natural hot springs, and the folkloric art of the Pueblo tribe.
http://www.sandovalcounty.org/index.html
There many drives that are well worth the awe. Most notably is the Jemez Mountain
Trail, which is one of the fifty-five routes to have been recognized as a National Scenic
Byway. It begins in San Ysidro, the only surviving settlement of the original seven
Pueblos de los Jemez. Eventually, the route leads into Ponderosa, which is famous for it’s
wine.
If you’re coming in from Albuquerque heading towards Santa Fe, the Turquoise Trail is
another great choice for a scenic drive, dotted with picturesque villas, majestic
mountains, and plenty of pit-stops for recreation. If you’re a history buff, the Museum of
Archeology and Material Culture in Cedar Crest boasts a wonderful exhibit that covers
12,000 years of history, including the famous Battle of Wounded Knee.
A long drive or a long hike is rewarded with a little relaxation. Giggling Springs is the
oldest bath house in the area. The pool contains natural hot spring water that is perfect for
a therapeutic soak. It has an Inversion Oxygenation System, which gives the pool a
Jacuzzi-like feel while also disinfects the pool water constantly and naturally. It’s a proud
Green Business; in 2009, Giggling Springs received the SA New Mexico Innovative
Business Award for using the geothermal water to heat the buildings of the property.
The Jemez Springs Bath House is another popular destination located in the Canyon de
San Diego. The Pueblo Indians and the Spaniards got the privilege to enjoy the springs
first, but it wasn’t until American settlers got there in the 1870s that they built a bath
house around it, which is probably why it’s been named a state historical site. It’s perfect
for relaxing and to ease sore muscles. In fact, the springs’ water has so many minerals in
it that the well needs to be drilled out occasionally.
If you’re really in for a treat, the Canon del Rio is one of the best-rated spas in the area.
Yahoo named it one of the top romantic getaways in New Mexico. The spa offer
massages, mud wraps, aromatherapy and body polishes. The NY Times noted their
gourmet breakfasts for being “out of this world”: the menu is flexible, plentiful, and quite
satisfactory. So much so that the NY Times named it as one of the 31 places you must
visit this summer.
http://www.canondelrio.com/
Native American culture thrives in this area. The Pueblo Indians are scattered throughout
the area in local tribes, such as the Cochiti Pueblo, the Jemez Pueblo, and the Sandia
Pueblo. These villages welcome visitors all year round, and serve as a phenomenal
cultural experience. Also, New Mexico is the proud home to the world’s leading
American Indian art alliance. The Indian Arts and Crafts Association (or IACA) hosts
several markets a year at different locations, which includes Sandoval County. They even
host educational programs to help people understand the art they offer.
http://www.iaca.com/Markets.htm
The sites and activities in Sandoval County are well worth the time. Between
breathtaking views, revitalizing spas, and the various cultural centers, it’s the perfect
place to reinforce your mental and physical strength.
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