Anyone here live in Farmington New Mexico? Or near there?

[texpatriot2004]

I am looking for some insight into that town/area? What can you tell me about it? Anything?

[Gloria]

1. Never been there personally (I'm way down south) but isn't that

the mining/oil area???

[texpatriot2004]

3. I don't know. It's in the "Four Corners" area. It is Northern NM. nm

[alittlelark]

4. There are a good # of oil pumpers there, but nothing like the

Jicarilla Area. It is heavily agricultural, esp as you move S and E.

[alittlelark]

2. I have a few friends in the area, and a cabin about 2 1/2 hours away

It is a very pretty small community. Navajo lands are almost adjacent. It is close to many archaeological sites. There are racial issues that are stong in the area. It is also quite conservative - but I hear that is improving

[texpatriot2004]

5. It appears to have been taken over by Rethugs but the Dem.

website is VERY PROGRESSIVE. My husband is looking at a transfer to there from Houston. We love New Mexico, well, we love Ruidoso we go there once a year.

[alittlelark]

10. Ruidoso is more conservative than Farmington...

... or it was 15 years ago when I was last there. It is diff. than Ruidoso in the agricultural and energy base - otherwise the climates are actually rather similar, but the humidity is lower in S. NM.

I could picture myself living there. We have a spread in Pagosa Springs, CO. It's rather close, and I travel through Farmington at least once a year.

[texpatriot2004]

13. My husband lived in Co long ago and talks about how pretty

Pagosa Springs is...and Durango.

[alittlelark]

17. Did he go to the Hot Springs?

The deepest and hottest natural source in the world!

[texpatriot2004]

20. I don't know. They are where you live? Do you go? n.t

[alittlelark]

24. Our place is a block away, but away from the city and on the mtn.

It is both rural and suburban. The hot springs are on the side of a small mtn.

[texpatriot2004]

8. More conservative than the Suburbs of Houston? n.t

[alittlelark]

12. Uh, no..... that would be Montgomery, AL (lived there too)

[texpatriot2004]

15. Yuck. I have ancestors/relatives from Alabama. Glad I have

never lived there. I spent some time in Georgia, which is probably the next best thing eh.

[alittlelark]

18. That whole area is the armpit of the nation....

We need to shave it.

[blitzen]

6. I've spent some time there....

Great flyfishing for trout on the San Juan River not far from there. I mean really great--like best in the US. Some cool Native American ruins nearby in Aztec. Good New Mexican food. Farmington itself seemed to me to have a lot of "sprawl" but a fairly cool downtown. Lots of natural gas drilling arouynd there, and heavy industry. But the landscape is interesting, and it's really close to amazing wilderness (Durango, CO is only about 45 minutes away).

[texpatriot2004]

7. That's nice to know about the fishing. Then it must have rivers

nearby.

My husband is considering a transfer to San Juan College.

[blitzen]

9. The Animas river flows right through Farmington

It is also a great trout stream...Go upstream into Colorado (not far away). And from there you can reach all kinds of mountain wilderness.

[texpatriot2004]

11. Wow. I love the mountains. I bet it's not that far, right? nm

[blitzen]

16. No, it's really not far...You head up toward

Durango and you really climb way up in elevation...and Farmington itself is already a mile high or more. There's also lots of interesting Navaho culture all around Farmington.

[texpatriot2004]

22. I am interested in the Native American Cultures...I have some

Cherokee in me.

How open are the Navaho people? Is there a reservation there like in Ruidoso? Although I don't think the one in Ruidoso is Navaho. It is beautiful though.

[alittlelark]

36. The Navajo is either the largest or 2nd largest res. in the US

It is also likely the poorest. They refuse casinos due to their moral code, but 'leaders' keep arising saying that they are necessary. The Navajos are very friendly in their laid back style, but retain (most often) a wariness and irony in their interactions w/ outsiders. You will see breeds of goats and sheep you have never seen before as you drive though their lands.

They do not appreciate you on their lands unless you are on a main thoroughfare.

The Navajos I have known through 25 or so years (quite a few in school) are friendly and respectful of the world outside the reservation.... They often seem humored by your priorities. If a Navajo calls you friend you will have shown yourself to be a worthwhile human being.

[texpatriot2004]

38. Well I hope that I can achieve that honor someday...friend. You

are a very helpful DU friend. Thanks for your information about the area.

[alittlelark]

42. It is an area of contrasts and great diversity

... and great food. I wish you luck in your plans (possible move).

[texpatriot2004]

44. Thank you kindly alittlelark. The homes are kind of pricey there

more so than Houston. I don't understand that but maybe I will later.

[alittlelark]

46. Fruitland is 10 or so miles east, much prettier, and much cheaper.

PS - commute is simple and casual (except in the late summer/fall).

[texpatriot2004]

48. East of Farmington? Fruitland? That's the name? n.t

[alittlelark]

52. My 1997 'Rand McNally' has the name as 'Fruitland' - not hallucinating!

I dug it out - The name may have been changed, but it is listed as 11 miles E of Farmington. Google maps doesn't have it.

[alittlelark]

55. Here is a link.... pathetic one

http://msproject.gforge.org/local/2/us/NM/a/87416/

there was more... google it.

[texpatriot2004]

58. That's funny. "Fruitland NM" well I live in fruitland now, Texas it's

just not officially named. Thanks for the link

[alittlelark]

14. That San Juan river water flows in front of our Pagosa Springs place..

I have yet to catch a fish in my own front yard.

[blitzen]

19. Not sure where Pagosa Springs is...

but the good fishing is up by Aztec Dam--the first 10 or 15 miles below the dam. Didn't used to be good until they built the dam--now there's year-round cold water and lots of insect life.

[texpatriot2004]

21. How wonderful. n.t

[alittlelark]

23. Driving over that dam is all I've done.

It's treacherous.

[blitzen]

25. If you want to see a pic

of a nice trout that I caught right below that dam, send me a message with your e-mail address. I would post it here but I can't figure out how to post pics on DU.

[texpatriot2004]

26. Where exactly is the dam? n.t

[alittlelark]

27. I'm not certain, I think I cross it heading Durango to Farmington.

I DO KNOW that there is almost always a large RV in front of me, or a nasty rainstorm as I go over it.

[blitzen]

28. Sorry, it's called Navajo Dam....

You'll find it on yahoo maps or google earth

Aztec is a small town between Farmington and the dam

[alittlelark]

29. Is it on 550?

[blitzen]

31. Navajo Dam is a little east of 550, where...

511 meets 539. That's the San Juan, really really good trout fishing.

550 follows the Animas river from Farmington to Durango. Really good fishing, but not till you get to CO.

[alittlelark]

30. It's heading though Ignacio... I remember now

My summer/ fall route going through the fruit stands to Farmington.

[texpatriot2004]

32. That's a great fish. Was it hard to catch? The scenery is lovely

there at Navajo Dam. You look like a natural fisherman.

[blitzen]

34. Hey, I had a guide, so it wasn't that hard....

But I must say that I did catch an awful lot that week...and I do fish alot. Unfortunately I live in troutless Louisiana.

[texpatriot2004]

33. Thanks for the image and the info. Bless your heart you are in LA

how did you fare with Katrina? Rita? You must miss the scenery from elsewhere?

[blitzen]

35. We're in Baton Rouge...no damage here

although everyone was traumatized and life was different for quite a while. Lots of good things though--people helping out, hosting people who needed a place, etc.

[texpatriot2004]

37. For me, Katrina was a final blow, a last straw...I wasn't even there

but I was deeply affected. I am forever changed by what I saw. Glad all is well with you there...except for being troutless (bummer).

[blitzen]

39. Thanks for the well wishes...

And I hope you enjoy NM if you make that move. Gotta get some sleep. A good night--Democratic victories and memories of good fishing.

[MichaelHarris]

41. Someone's been fishing

The Texas Hole, shhhhhh don't tell anyone about the browns about 500 yards below the dam. Don't even mention Abe's, that's our secret.

[blitzen]

45. There is so much water there....

All those "braids"...it's like hundreds of private trout streams.

Texas hole is fun though, when you want to hook lots of big fish. But I had the best time just below the dam.

[MichaelHarris]

51. I took 20 fish there one day

most over 15 and one at 26. All the water I fish is catch and release, I hate eating fish but I'll fish all over the world. The San Juan is very high on my list, it's nice to go home from time to time. I live in Washington now and fish mostly in Montana.

[blitzen]

56. I'm getting sleepy now but I'll try to

catch up with you again. I'm from Oregon (but stuck in Louisiana) and like to fish all around the West when I can. Had a nice trip in Alberta in July (the Bow, of course, but also some other little known streams). By "Washington" do you mean D.C. or State? Big difference, troutwise...

[MichaelHarris]

57. LOL you're right

Washington St, on the border with Idaho

[MichaelHarris]

40. I was born there

it's heaven on earth in some respects. Some poverty, drinking problems, a place where someday soon someone will raise property taxes, drive off all of the indigent peoples and make a New Santa Fe. Where the San Juan will only be fished by people with money and influence and the town of Aztec will become that back nine. See it while you can.

[texpatriot2004]

43. Really, you were born there? We may be moving there. What's

up with the property values there? More expensive than Houston.

[alittlelark]

47. I can answer that..... real estate investors

they have been pumping up prices for years.

[texpatriot2004]

49. Oh, is that good? I mean I guess it is for development. nm

[alittlelark]

50. They purchase w/ 'daddy's money' for long-term

it's better tax-wise. They will sell it to you for 3-50x what they got it for 7 years ago. They have the ability to hold it for a very long time.

[MichaelHarris]

53. Ohh no

not as bad as say Spring, Tx. I would guess there are some places places for sale. The problem is alot of people are "discovering" that if they move a little north out of Santa Fe they'll find "solitude". You see when everyone finds solitude in the same place then the solitude is gone. I love Farmington, so will you. Rent a movie called Milagro Beanfield Wars and you'll see what I mean, the San Juan Valley is just wonderful. Look quick though because land and house prices will rise quickly there in the next few years.

[MichaelHarris]

54. wil you be looking for say

a house, a small house, a fixer upper, or an apartment? There are alot of homes needing TLC in and around Farmington and Aztec, some may very well be a great investment.

[texpatriot2004]

59. Hubby doesn't like "fixer-uppers" looking for approx 2000-2500

square ft. We now have about 3000-3200 sq ft it's a little big for the two of us but the price was right.

[MichaelHarris]

62. they may have built some newer houses

since I was there last, most of the homes a fews year back were older.

[phusion]

60. Durango is ~30 minutes away

that's always a plus. :)

Great mountain biking near Farmington and Aztec...Close to Moab, too, if that's your kind of thing.

Can't tell you much about the downtown area. I've really only passed through Farmington on my way to Durango (which is a great town IMO).

Lots of natural beauty in the 4-corners area. I'd recommend a trip there to see for yourself.

Good luck!

[texpatriot2004]

61. Thanks. We will probably be going in the next couple of weeks

to check it out. I can't wait to see Durango. My hubby has seen it and says it's beautiful. I look forward to the train ride there.

[phusion]

63. Oh, the Durango-Silverton?

that's a beautiful train ride...

Have fun!

[SMWILLIAMS91]

64. FARMINGTON

FIND WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR IN YOUR POST? YOU ASKED ABOUT FARMINGTON,I LIVE IN FARMINGTON. I HAVE ANSWERS IF YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS.

[NMDemDist2]

65. welcome to DU SMWilliams!

:hi:

no need to shout though, that capslock isn't necessary.

but greetings and welcome from SE NM to DU