A too-busy summer and triple-digit temperatures in our home town of El Paso, Texas had my husband, Wayne, and I packing overnight bags for a long weekend getaway to Corrales, New Mexico. Corrales is a small farming community (population around 9,000) located near the much larger metropolis of Albuquerque. Wayne discovered Corrales several years ago when he took a wrong turn in Albuquerque and ended up on a peaceful, shady road that he couldn't wait to return to. This trip was our second visit to Corrales.
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| Entering Corrales |
Corrales has many of the elements that I enjoy in life — farms, animals, trees, and adobe architecture. And it occurred to me as we drove into town that the road signs of Corrales set the mood for a nostalgic experience.
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| Speed Limit Sign in Corrales |
First were the speed limit signs, demanding that you slow down to 25 mph. 25 mph! That is horse and buggy speed! As Wayne hit the brake, I began appreciating the passing landscape and taking note of places to return to. The hostess of the Sandhill Crane Bed and Breakfast, where we stayed this trip, reminded us to obey the lower speed limits and added that local police are often on the lookout for out of state license plates! Fellow Texans, beware!
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| Another speed limit sign in Corrales |
On smaller roads, you almost have to ride the brake to achieve the 15 mph limit. I must admit this is a more relaxing world than a 75 mph interstate driving experience.
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| Watch for tractors sign |
A tractor sign took me back to my childhood days growing up on a cotton farm in Clint, Texas.
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| Tractor in field |
A tractor parked outside a house reminded me that this is a working farming community.
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| Horseback riders road sign |
The rider on horseback on a sign outside of Hannah and Nate's Restaurant (not to be missed!) was a pleasant reminder that transportation by car is not the only way to travel.
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| Bicycle road sign |
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| Pedestrian walking sign |
Or you can even experience Corrales on your own two feet.
We had an idyllic stay in Corrales. No pressure, no schedule, no must-do tourist sites, although we did keep well entertained with live music at the gazebo in Old Town, Albuquerque and a tour of the Unser Family Museum in nearby Rio Rancho.
My best memories of this Corrales trip are sitting outside on a patio in early morning gazing at the Sandia Mountains, creeping along small lanes and gaining decorating inspiration from southwestern style houses and yards, and the quiet. Ah, the quiet!
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