Raton - New Mexico

Raton, New Mexico is the Spanish word for mouse , literally 'small rat'.  It is a 6 hour drive south from Fort Collins, Colorado.  It has a population of some 8,000 people.  Raton stands guard at the foot of Raton Pass on the Sante Fe Trail. 

On the way to Raton we traveled through some pretty country

  We were also rained on.

There is very little uniformity in different states regarding the purchase of alcohol.  In Raton there is only one service station in town which sells spirits as well as beer.

 Inside the service station.

 We took the opportunity to visit Lake Maloya. It is near the Colorado border.

 It is also higher in elevation that our highest mountain in Australia. Mount Koscuisko whch 7,300 FT.

Lake Maloya is a 130 acre lake.  It is surrounded by ponderosa pine forest which is part of Sugarite Canyon State Park near Raton.  Only electric boat motors are allowed on the lake which makes it great for kayaking and canoeing.  It was a sunny day and there many families out enjoying the day.    There were several fishermen.

 Several kayaks where on the Lake.

 It is a beautiful lake and clearly enjoyed by many of the population from
the surrounding areas.

We then visited Johnson Mesas which is 14 miles running East to West.  It is 2-6 miles wide and is 8,650 foot high.

 Located on the Mesas The  St John's Episcopal Church ( Johnson Mesa Church).  It was built by homesteaders in 1896 /1897 at a time when the Johnson Mesa community flourished.

The actual dedication ceremony took place on  14 August, 1898.  These days there is a church service each Sunday and around 14 August each year there is a gathering of people who enjoy a picnic.  The church is always open and all are invited o visit.

 The red stone visible on the walls of the building was hauled from red mountain about 31/2 miles east of the church.  The white sandstone used in the corners and around the door and windows was hauled from below the hill and the west end of the Mesa. 

 The church pews were obtained from a church which was being torn down at Blossburg and were hauled to the Mesa by team and wagon.

 Our last stop for the day was the Capulin Volcano National Monument.

The volcano is 58,000 to 62,000 years old.

Raton provides the traveler with the opportunity to see volcanoes, Mesas, mountain lakes which provides good fishing and hunting.  In the winter months the nearby mountains provides skiing and winter sport.
It is worthwhile stopping over if you are every up this way.

Cheers, Beverley and Ross