Too good to be true?

WayOutWestMom
Fri, 01 Nov 2013 10:58:39 +0000

There is skiing in southern NM (see Ruidoso–about 90 minutes from Socorro). There are plenty of mountains near Socorro, mostly to the west and south. The Gila National Wilderness (to south-southwest of Socorro) was the first ever wilderness designated.

And six hours out here is nothing. The west has a whole different sense of distance than does the East.

The feel of Socorro is not terribly different from that of Taos (though without the heavy influence of the tourism industry).

The climate in Socorro is pleasant: mild winters (though it does occasionally snow) with daytime temperatures in the 50’s and nights in the 20’s or 30’s; summers can be hot with temperatures in the mid 90’s to low 100’s (but with almost no humidity). During the summer, there is a monsoon season in July and August (typical for the southwest) with afternoon thunderstorms.

The thunderstorms can generate some spectacular lightning displays and there is an art installation not too far from Socorro that takes advantage of that:

[Dia Art Foundation - Sites](Visit Our Locations & Sites | Visit | Dia)

[The Lightning Field - YouTube](The Lightning Field - YouTube)

[Lightning Field (Walter de Maria) - YouTube](Lightning Field (Walter de Maria) - YouTube)