Luxe Beat Magazine APRIL 2015 | Page 88

its trestles and bridges remain. In the winter, with Mother Nature’s cooperation, Cloudcroft is a magnet for skiers, snowboarders and tubers. or hi tory ff th a ram nto Mountains Historical Museum & Pioneer Village helps bring the past alive by providing a view of what life was like in this region a hundred years ago. Kids will particularly n oy in th anti r tr caboose, blacksmith shop, one-room school, barbershop and an outhouse built for two. Shoppers will enjoy trian ri n y rro tr t Cloudcroft’s main drag, with its tor an a ri off rin ti fare. Many talented artists and craftspeople reside in the area, and you’ll be surprised by the range and a ity o oo rom n ry and aromatherapy products to local art, pottery and unique clothing. For literary-inclined folks, Imaginary oo i a m t n i in an cheese is your thing, make sure to visit Noisy Water. The store features some great made-in-New Mexico wines and cheeses, along with a selection of exquisitely-nuanced balsamic vinegars and olive oils. And yes, you can sample and taste to your heart’s content. in itself. For dessert, there’s an array of delectable house-baked t a on ith ra am on o tion i anana o t r an Cherries Jubilee. Have your afterdinner libation in the adjoining lounge, with its bar that was once owned by Al Capone – I kid you not. You’ll never lack for activity at The o m niti in a tn room, swimming pool, full-service spa, sauna and hot tub, onsite hiking trails and a variety of lawn games for some old-fashioned fun. There’s also the resort’s popular golf course, a premier attraction of the o th t i t in th o r was designed with Scottish roots in mind. It’s governed by the Scottish tradition of playing iff r nt t an arat a on each hole. When played twice, it becomes a challenging 18-hole round. And at 9,000 feet above sea level it’s one of the highest courses in North American. The Lodge enjoys a heavy repeat business, with couples and families who continue to make this southeastern New Mexico oasis their annual vacation destination. They return year after year because they a r iat th r ona i r i on i t n y o taff an arm hospitality. A stay at the hotel takes 88 them back in time, but without a ri in mo rn om ort Conference-goers also give the place high marks, as they have plenty of room to spread out within the property’s 11,000 square feet of meeting space. And it’s also a mecca for weddings, with its indooroutdoor ceremony and reception a a i iti harmin a o t th ta or a m mora affair or a summer concert. n an aro n o ro t yo n numerous recreation options, from hin an hi in to am in an horseback riding, as the town is surrounded by over 200,000 acres of the Lincoln National Forest. Take yo r i o o n o trai om that lead to picture-pretty streams an at r a an oth r that off r views of the old wooden trestles that once took trains to the timber forests and later carried tourists up the mountain to the new hamlet of Cloudcroft. Though the railroad line was abandoned in 1948, vestiges of When you’ve shopped till you drop and need some sustenance, know that you won’t have to go far for a oo m a Th t rn a a 100-year-old Cloudcroft institution with plenty of character, is known for its Mexican food, as well as its burgers, not to mention ample portions. This historical establishment is on New Mexico’s famed Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail, a designation that comes with plenty of bragging rights. And it’s also a popular watering hole in town, off rin i m i an an in on the weekends. When you walk in, th r t thin yo noti i th ni or tho an o o ar i that ha n affi to th building’s walls and ceilings. Customers “donate” a bill, by signing it with their names in permanent marker, and then stapling it to a spot of their choice. It’s just one of the many traditions at the Western Cafe. ar i a o i in o ro t an i a y i th a to ho down on all your favorite cowboy r a a ia i in burgers and sandwiches; for killer homemade pies, head over to the ront or h i tro Attractions nearby that deserve mention include Sunspot, one of the