Weekend Getaway: Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

As with so many good travel plans, this one went awry. My original intent was to fly from Denver to Albuquerque, drive north in a loop to Santa Fe and back. But the weather had other plans - well, it was February - so we fell back and punted. The weather in Truth or Consequences - and yes, that's really the towns name - looked to be much better so we headed south instead. It all worked out for the best as we really enjoyed our weekend getaway to the "game show town." Come along as we spend the weekend south of Albuquerque!

Originally known as Hot Springs for its well, ....hot springs, the town of Truth or Consequences got its new name in 1950 when the game show of the same name ran a contest. The radio show host Ralph Edwards offered to broadcast the Truth or Consequences game show from the first town to rename itself after it. The town, called T or C by locals, won the contest, kept the name and is the only town in the US named after a game show. Ralph Edwards was so taken with the town that he returned every year until his death and there is still a parade and festival held in his honor every May.

Riverbend Hot Springs

Called America's most affordable spa town, also, T or C has 8000 residents.  Now known for its hot springs as much as for its quirkiness, the springs contain some 40 different minerals with the main one being the germ killer, chloride. The prices and experiences of the hot springs run the gamut - we chose to visit one of the most popular, Riverbend Hot Springs. You can buy an all day pass enjoying the five public springs pools or rent one of the seven private baths which overlook the Rio Grande. (An hourly property pass is $25/35 and a private tub rental is $35/50 per hour dependent on time of day and week or weekend) Riverbend also has rooms, suites or casitas to rent so you can stay on the property and your rate includes use of the common pool area during open hours for no additional charge.

We rented one of the private baths which started with a change and shower in the public restroom. Then we checked in to our private hot tub room that had a great view of the river. Everything was handled effortlessly and it was a great afternoon. I would definitely go back if I had the chance.

Elephant Butte Lake State Park

Elephant Butte Lake is a lake for all kinds of water activities - kayaking, swimming, boating, jet skiing and even houseboating - located at 4,500 feet of elevation with 200 miles of shoreline just outside the town of Truth or Consequences. It was created in 1916 when the Rio Grande was dammed up for flood control There are boat rentals, a marina, beaches and camping facilities available along with some historic sites to see. We checked in at the T or C Visitor Center to see what was going on in town the weekend we were there and they pointed us in the direction of Elephant Butte for an art festival that was going on there. We didn't make any purchases but it was fun to walk around the booths and see the state park and dam.

Can you spot the elephant?

Another view of the elephant

Los Arcos Steak and Lobster

When we stopped in at the T or C Visitor Center, one of our questions was about a recommendation for Saturday evening's dinner. They pointed us in the direction of Los Arcos Steak and Lobster - in fact we ran into the visitor center employee at dinner that night. In business since 1970 - I believe the current owner is the grandson of the original owner - Los Arcos has a retro feel and specializes in steak, lobster, prime rib and fresh seafood. If you decide to dine here, be prepared for a wait. We arrived right when they opened and there was a line waiting to get in. Our meal was excellent but a little pricey which was okay - they allowed us to split the steak special and still get our own sides. I'd highly recommend a meal here if you're in Truth or Consequences.

Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway

The Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway Visitor Center is located in Truth or Consequences. The byway is named after the famed Apache leader, Geronimo, who was said to hide out in these hills of New Mexico.We left from here on Sunday morning driving the 50 miles to the ghost town of Winston, an abandoned mining center which still has a few residents. 

The scenery was, as you can imagine by the name, quite scenic. We drove through desert and scrub, mountains and buttes and were quite possibly one of the only cars on the road. 

Once we arrived in Chloride, we were greeted by a resident who gave us the history of the town and let us in to the closed general store. Chloride was a town who struck it big in silver mining and at one time, there were 13,000 residents. But the US Government decided that gold would be it's monetary standard, not silver, in 1893 and the town basically went bust. There were only about 100 residents who stayed and in 1976 a family came in and bought all the buildings, and essentially the town. Today the schoolhouse, the post office and a few other historic buildings remain. 

A residential family cabin you could visit

The general store was run by a family with several children and was booming until the bust. The family sent their oldest son back east for college and basically closed the store until he would graduate. He never returned so the store is a "time machine" now from the 1890's. It was an extremely interesting visit and the woman who gave us the tour was very knowledgeable. (I'm not sure if there is a charge for the tour. When we arrived the guide asked if we were someone else - someone who had arranged a tour - and we said no. She let us into the buildings anyways. And we gave a donation to the town.)

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is a 57,000 acre wildlife refuge that was created in 1939 to provide a critical stopover point for migrating waterfowl. Located in Socorro County - halfway between Albuquerque and Truth or Consequences - Bosque del Apache is known for the tens of thousands of crane, geese and ducks who winter here each year. There have been 394 different bird species observed here since 1964!

This was one of those stops that was totally unplanned and turned out to be a winner. Mr. UR saw the sign and said let's give it a go. We stopped at the visitor center - as one does - and they told us about the loop drive. So we said, again, let's give it a go. 

Sandhill cranes

The 12 mile loop drive took about an hour - we stopped several times - and we saw cranes, javelinas (wild pigs) and a coyote. A really great one hour investment of time on our way back to Albuquerque! (We did the driving loop but there are several walking trails if you have the time)

Those dots in the distance are javelinas

A javelina

This coyote blends in rather nicely

Birds galore

After our stop at Bosque del Apache, it was smooth sailing back to Albuquerque's Old Town for dinner and then a late evening flight back to Denver. A fun, and unique, weekend getaway!

How about you? Have you been to Truth or Consequences?

Linking up with: My Corner of the World at Photographing New Zealand!