Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere; and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.
Unknown
During our Journey Across America we visited major cities including Miami, Boston, New Orleans, and Chicago. Metropolitan areas have a lot to offer. But small towns have their own charm.
One was Las Vegas. You’re probably thinking: “Las Vegas is a small town? Were you exposed to too much sun on your trip?” But I’m talking about Las Vegas, New Mexico—population somewhere just north of 13,000.
The Historic Plaza Hotel
While searching for an overnight stop in between Denver and Albuquerque, Laurie found an interesting looking hotel in that place. In Las Vegas, the Historic Plaza Hotel overlooks a quiet village square where kids play and people stop to chat. The main hotel staircase served as the setting for a chilling scene in the movie No Country for Old Men, where a hitman confronts a bounty hunter played by Wood Harrelson. Walking down the streets to the local pub and the restaurant where we dined was peaceful, and felt very safe.
“No Country for Old Men” Staircase
It turns out that Las Vegas has served as the setting for movies from Easy Rider to the current television series, Longmire. When we started watching that fascinating show, we recognized that Las Vegas was the stand in for the mythical town of Durant, Wyoming.
Burro Crossing
Las Vegas, New Mexico is not a tourist town, but Oatman, Arizona certainly is. This former mining town on an old section of Route 66 is known for the feral donkeys, descendants of those brought here by miners. These donkeys are for the most part friendly, in fact, friendly enough to follow you into local establishments. They sport names like Jade, Opal, and Lilly. By tradition, the first resident to see a new foal gets to name the newcomer.
Oatman, AZ street residents
They do have their moments though. One shopkeeper told us that a pair of them got into a fight and one body slammed the other into her car. She had a great time explaining that two-thousand-dollar body shop bill to her insurance company.
Ferndale, California church
Early in our journey we stopped in the town of Ferndale, California to attend Ash Wednesday services in a small, wooden church. The place stands out because they had a very clever way of helping parishioners pick out unique, Lenten observances. Many people commonly pick something like giving up chocolate or losing weight. But at the end of our service we were invited to select a sacrificial observance from a large fish tank in the back of the church. Laurie picked out a daily prayer that we started saying every day. My suggested observance was to write a note every week to someone who has been influential in my faith journey. It was a great way to try something new for the Lenten Season.
I’ve already written of our great experiences in Rockland, Maine, in the post In Search of Lobster and Winslow, Arizona in the post Standin’ on a Corner…. Many other small towns stood out for their own charms, friendly people, and interesting history.
The U.S.A. is a great country. When you’re on the road, don’t overlook the interesting places sprinkled in between destination cities.
Question: Is there a great small town that you think people should visit, and why?
Walla Walla, WA. “So nice they named it twice.” As my son taught me, “the speed limit is 30 mph, but everyone drives 25.”
Walla Walla is a nice town–with great onions. My mother lived there as a child and Laurie and I spent a few days there doing some wine tasting and bike riding (not at the same time) with friends a few years back.
Cathy and I traveled through Las Vegas, New Mexico on our
vacation travels off I-25 one year long ago. I had wondered
why it was named that, as to being “larger” than it really was?
Which Las Vegas town was named first?
Good question, David. And the answer is: It depends. Las Vegas means “The Meadows” in Spanish. The New Mexican Las Vegas was established in 1835. The area of Las Vegas in Nevada was named in 1829 by a Mexican scout–but the town wasn’t established until 1905. Technically, the town in New Mexico came 70 years before it’s bigger, brasher cousin in Nevada. But the area in Nevada was named first.
I’m partial to Cedarburg, WI.
Lora
Wisconsin is one of the few states we missed. Why is Cedarburg worth a visit?
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