Ladron Peak New Mexico 4K Drone Video

June 29, 2022 in Drone

Ladron Peak is 20 miles from anything in New Mexico desert

Driving further down dirt road than I nearly ever did before on a rural land shoot, I passed by Ladron Peak along the way to my actual destination. After nearly 20 miles on seldom traveled dirt road, I pulled over to send the drone up to capture views of Ladron Peak and the surrounding mesas. Even from the view of my DJI Mavic 3 Cine drone, I saw no one and nothing in this area. If you are looking for a remote mountain peak to hike, Ladron Peak is for you!

Cochiti Lake New Mexico Black and White Fine Art Landscape Photography

April 20, 2022 in Nature & Wildlife

A lake almost to oneself in the desert

Though relatively nearby to Albuquerque, Cochiti Lake is not a place I have often visited, but almost on a whim made a return visit to recently. It was to the less used Tetilla Peak area where most of the time there, it felt like having the lake to oneself. This area did only just open up for the season the day before so that probably helped too! Is this a beautiful lake? No, not at all, especially since it only exists because of a dam. However, there are not many bodies of water in New Mexico, and if you go at the right time and to the right spot, it can feel like a small escape from the desert.

Time Capsule from 1923 Chloride New Mexico True Photography

February 17, 2022 in Photo Story

Walk into 1923 at the Pioneer Museum in Chloride New Mexico

New Mexico is full of hidden gems, like the Pioneer Museum in the very small (population 10) ghost town of Chloride, New Mexico. When the store went out of business in 1923, it was sealed off, and essentially became a time capsule for the period. All the shelves are just like they were that last day it was open in 1923. The current owner gives a fascinating history of both the contents of the store and its former owners. Chloride is not exactly on the beaten path, but what hidden gem is? If you are visiting Truth of Consequences, this is a great day trip to make as the roads leading out there are great for driving as well. Have you been here?

Rockhound State Park New Photography New Mexico True

February 10, 2022 in Nature & Wildlife

A state park just for hunting rocks in New Mexico

Tucked away in the far southeast of New Mexico, Rockhound State Park is a place you probably have seen in the distance if you have ever traveled on I-10. The mountains standout from all the dozens of miles of flatness. The first few times I was in the Deming area, I thought to myself, what an odd name. What is a rockhound anyway or who is it? Only very recently did I learn that a rockhound is a person that goes out looking for rare rocks. Who knew there was an entire state park for such a thing in New Mexico!

Farewell to the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk at Valles Caldera National Preserve

February 03, 2022 in Photo Story, Nature & Wildlife

Farewell to a loyal friend in the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk

It is the end of an era in vehicle ownership for me, as I have had the last adventure in my beloved Jeep Renegade Trailhawk. What started in March of 2019 and took me on 73,000 miles all over New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah, comes to a conclusion in February 2022. In all those miles the Jeep never let me down once, not on road or offroad. It is very bittersweet selling it, just like it was selling the Mazda3 I had before the Jeep. I guess this is the way it goes. In the last two months though, the Jeep went out in style driving on the national seashore in Corpus Christi, up to the top of a mountain in Tucson, and on the snow in Valles Caldera National Preserve with four people and three dogs in it! Just like the Mazda3 got me and Kiki out of Florida, and the Jeep was at the heart of desert adventure in New Mexico, perhaps the next vehicle will take us to the completion of our journey all the way to where the Road meets the Sea.

Gilman Tunnels of New Mexico in Winter Drone Video

January 27, 2022 in Drone, Photo Story

Driving through solid rock at the Gilman Tunnels of New Mexico

The Gilman Tunnels in the Jemez area of Sandoval County in New Mexico were one of the last more well known, of the lesser known, curiosities in the region I had never yet been to. That was remedied on a winter day with a few snow flakes falling. Up an unassuming neighborhood road you go to end up driving right though a solid rock tunnel. No supporting structures needed to hold up these tunnels hewn right out of the mountainside. Have you been to the Gilman Tunnels? If not, check out the map link below to go visit them this weekend!

Dragon's Back Trail at White Mesa New Mexico Mavic 3 Cine Drone Video

December 02, 2021 in Drone, Nature & Wildlife

Dragon’s Back an accessible alien landscape

If you are a mountain biker in New Mexico, the trail name Dragon’s Back is probably known to you. It is my single favorite trail to ride in the state that I’ve found so far. If you just like to explore hidden gems and hike, this is also one of the most incredible landscapes in the world, not just New Mexico. Check out the range in topography and geological features the aerial drone photos reveal for this area. It truly is an alien or martian landscape. Is it hard to hike this trail? Not at all. After a bit of a steep incline from parking lot to trailhead, the tail is mostly a rolling trail that even a beginner hiker could do an out and back on. Pack for a longer hike and do the full loop to see the other side. This was also my first time flying my brand new DJI Mavic 3 Cine drone! It was really windy, but you could not tell that from the drone footage. I would like to come back with the drone and better light, and more practice flying it, to really show you what the Dragon’s Back Trail is like and how it definitely is a New Mexico True experience.