An Inspired Cook

An Inspired Cook
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  • Tag: Ojito Wilderness

    • Living the Dream One Day Trip at a Time

      Posted at 7:11 am by NativeNM, on July 1, 2026

      My journey in blogging began 15 years ago today, back when we were living in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City. In the early years my focus was all about food and recipes. This anniversary I want to reminisce on the travel adventures that Joe and I have shared over the last 8 years. I had always dreamed of going home to New Mexico but there would be a lot of bingo balls to juggle in order for that to happen. I dreamed of traveling the state and taking pictures of the places I remembered growing up and the new places I had yet to explore. In 2018 an opportunity came about for Joe to work remotely within his company. It would allow us to move without Joe having to start all over. Cameron decided to remain in Kansas City and Josh was on a year long visa in Australia traveling and working at an observatory giving stargazing tours. Our boys were clearly starting their own lives so we jumped at the chance to start a new adventure of our own. It was scary leaving behind 25 years worth of memories in KC, but there hasn’t been a single regret and honestly Joe and I are happier than ever. We made an agreement that we wouldn’t waste a minute and we would never become complacent to stay at home. We created a bucket list and have pretty much checked off that list one by one. We have traveled all over the state with a hiking folder of over 75 destinations checked off and counting. I’ve only posted a fraction of the places we’ve traveled to, but today I would like to share a few of our favorite destinations that are historic, interesting and beautiful. If I had to pick one place that calls to me it would be Ghost Ranch. The picture above is from the Kitchen Mesa Trail, it’s the hardest trail I’ve ever hiked and the most rewarding. The views from up high on the mesa are about as majestic and beautiful as it gets. Don’t stop now, there’s a lot more to see!

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      Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah, Aztec Ruins, Aztec Ruins National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns, Coyote Call Trail, Crow Canyon Archaeological District, El Santuario de Chimayo, Ghost Ranch, Kitchen Mesa, KItchen Mesa Ghost Ranch, Los Cerillos, Los Cerillos State Park, Manzano Mountains, Nambé Falls, Nambé Lake, Nambe Falls, New Mexico Hiking, New Mexico Hiking Trails, Ojito Wilderness, Pecos National Historic Park, Pecos Ruins, Plaza Blanca, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Shiprock, Shiprock New Mexico, Taos, The Turquoise Trail, Trinity Site, Tunnel Trail, Valles Caldera National Preserve, Valley of Fires, Very Large Array, VLA, Waldo Coke Ovens
    • White Ridge Bike Trails and Dragons Back

      Posted at 1:16 pm by NativeNM, on October 24, 2025

      The White Ridge Bike Trails and Dragons Back is one of New Mexico’s natural wonders. The area is full of white gypsum which is visible all along the trails. We hiked the White Ridge Loop in March which is approximately 5 miles. And just recently we hiked Dragons back. Both trailheads are gorgeous with colorful landscapes to see along the way. It’s one of those places that we never tire of, it calls me back over and over again. The trails are wide open with little shade so we avoid going in the heat of the summer, but as soon as the weather turns cool we are ready to go back. The gypsum rocks you find along the way are like a snowflake, no one rock formation is the same, they are all unique. And those artistic dead trees that have so much character; it’s as if they are sitting there waiting to be photographed in front of a beautiful backdrop. Dragons Back is a long ridge that spans over 7 miles out and back. We hiked along the spine in early October under a partly cloudy sky which made for some amazing photos as the sun peeked through here and there. Enjoy nature and get outside for a walk, it can lift your spirits in so many ways!

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      Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged adventure, Dragons Back Trail, Gypsum, Hiking New Mexico, New Mexico, Ojito Wilderness, White Ridge Bike Trails
    • Ojito Wilderness Hoodoo Trail

      Posted at 12:53 pm by NativeNM, on March 12, 2021

      Spring fever is starting to creep into my senses.  Spring is my favorite season especially when the colors start to paint the landscape with green leaves and the blooming of wild flowers.  It’s pure serenity when you feel the warm air and sunshine upon your face as well as the accomplishment you feel after a long hike.  We are lucky to have such a vast enchanted landscape with remote places to get away and explore.  Josh gave us a book entitled “60 Hikes within 60 Miles” Albuquerque edition.  We have enjoyed it so much and it includes many unknown places that we had no idea existed.  Recently we made a beautiful trip to the Ojito Wilderness on the Hoodoo trail.  It’s roughly 35 miles north and west of Albuquerque with the last 15 miles being a washboard dirt road.  Once you get there you will find an easy 4 mile trail with a beautiful landscape and a few areas dotted with hoodoos varying in size and shape.  These hoodoos are mostly sandstone with swirls of layers and color.  While not as large or perfectly cone shaped like “Tent Rocks” they are each unique in their formations.  There was wind along the trail with trees that look as if they had twisted over the years leaving behind some artistic bark and limbs.  I’ve always been fascinated by these twisted art sculptures formed by nature.  Here’s a few of our favorite views from the Hoodoo Trail in the Ojito Wilderness!

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      Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments | Tagged Hoodoos, New Mexico, New Mexico Hoodoos, New Mexico Landscape, Ojito Wilderness, Ojito Wilderness Hoodoo Trail
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