The Turquoise Trail — Local services in Santa Fe

We've driven I-25 from Santa Fe to Albuquerque so many times that sometimes we need a break. The break comes in the form of the 'Turquiose Trail,' which is also New Mexico State Hwy. 14. In Santa Fe, this route is also called Cerrillos Road. Instead of getting on I-25, we just stayed put and rode through some high dry desert areas going SW fror roughly 30-miles to Madrid. It's cooler along here and the road is well-maintained. Madrid is a former coal mining town from the middle 1800s. Despite the name of the trail, no turquoise was mined there. Since coal miners came from all over and shelters were needed for them, shacks were imported from all over the country due to the scarcity of wood in the area. They were set up in the area of an illegal trespass settlement, giving the town its flavor of a place where no questions were asked, and people went by just their first-names. Mining operations ended in 1954, and today the town retains the remnants of its history with the Mineshaft Tavern and the Coal Mine Museum. The town has also become an artists' community with galleries lining New Mexico State Road 14. The ending of the film Wild Hogs from 2007 was set and filmed in the town, which gives it a 'motorcycle haven' feel now. It used to be a fun little mountain town with picturesque ramshackle buildings along it, but the movie fame has changed it and today, it was overcrowded with fans, bikers, and other tourists filling the restaurants, bars, and gift shops. The crowds have over-whelmed the little town and the services it can provide, so there wasn't even a place to park. Leaving Madrid, it's another 50-miles to the...

Madrid, NM is a well-known scenic stop full of quirky charm. There are lots of cool shops, galleries, and spots to grab a drink or a bite — definitely fun to explore for a couple of hours. That said, it’s quite touristy and can feel a bit curated. If you’re looking for something more authentic and quiet, take a quick detour to nearby Los Cerrillos — a much more down-to-earth and historic town that feels like a true step...

We picked up the highway south of Madrid and went north, so there's plenty we didn't see. We loved Madrid! Fun folk art flair with cute shops and cafes! Worth the stop! The only downside was parking and a lot of uneven walking along the road, which may be a...