Magical New Mexico Getaway 06.2026

 

Happy Sunday, friends.  PC is happily eating pizza rolls and watching his beloved Cincinnati Reds.  I have been zipping around picking up things in the yard, watering (don't tell PC), baking lemon bars.  Going to sit just a minute to visit with you before going up to scrapbook with my sister.

I want to share the fun we had early last week during our 24 hour getaway to Bonito Lake, New Mexico.  It was like a little baby vacation.  I came home refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the week.  

Magical New Mexico Getaway 06.2026

You may remember that PC is not my daughters' father nor am I his children's mother so we don't usually celebrate Mother's and Father's Day with more than dinner out.  But this year I wanted to do something more for Paul.  He is so good to my (our) daughters and (our) grandchildren.  He is really the only grandpa any of the grands know.  So I planned a little overnight escape from the El Paso triple digit heat to head to the New Mexico mountains and Bonito Lake.  A 2 hour drive from home.

We always begin road trips stopping to buy drinks, sunflower seeds for Paul and corn nuts for me.  That is our traveling ritual.  The drive up was pleasant and it was reassuring to watch the thermometer in the car drop as we got closer and closer to the mountains around the village of Ruidoso.  

First Stop:  Grindstone Lake

After cheeseburgers at the Alamagordo, NM McDonalds, our first stop was Grindstone Lake in Ruidoso.  We had come up to Grindstone a few weeks ago to fish and boy, the fish were biting on everyone's line but ours.  This time I decided to sketch while Paul fished.  

While we were there, they - not sure who?? - stocked the lake.  PC managed to catch 2 fish but they both got off his line before we could get a picture.  Which is really okay because we put all of the fish back in the lake anyway.

We were at the lake until about 4:00, then climbed in the car to head up the road north for 30 miles to check into our accommodations at El Misticio Ranch, NM.  I had picked out El Mistico for our place to stay the night without consulting PC so it was a surprise when we pulled into the parking lot.

El Mistico Ranch

I discovered El Mistico through VRBO.  It was even better than suggested by the photos in the VRBO gallery.  

This is the entrance to the ranch.  Guests punch in a code that unlocks the gate.  The parking lot is right inside.  We parked our car then followed instructions in our welcome email that directed us to look for a wagon with our name on it to use to transport our belongings to our accommodations - in our case, a teepee but PC didn't know that yet!!  He was afraid we were staying in one of the safari tents.

The caliche path led us across a swinging rope and wood bridge and past 2 treehouses and a silver bullet RV.  

I offered to take my turn pulling the wagon for a bit until we finally reached a sign indicating we were almost 'home.'  At this point, I revealed that PC need not worry, we were not staying in a safari tent... we were staying in a teepee!!  Or tipi as the sign indicates??

PC was still a little worried - was tipi just another name for the safari tent where he thought we were staying?  Beyond this sign there was a tall metal gate that required a code to enter.  Was beginning to feel like we were staying at Ft. Knox.

Once we got inside this gate, our teepee was in view.  Not sure that PC was relieved yet. But I was very happy!  Here's what we saw...

Isn't that just so much fun?  I couldn't remember the name of our teepee so we walked up to the one on the far right first.  On the entrance flap we discovered yet another lock requiring a code.  

Tried our code on the Oso (bear) Teepee but it didn't work.  PC was getting worried.  Then we tried our code on the Lobo (wolf) Teepee...

and voila (or viola - I get mixed up with the spelling)...

we were in.  I made the photo above especially grande so you can see the teepee up close and personal.  It was so cute.  Even my skeptical Prince was impressed.

Best news, aside from the cuteness factor and the comfy bed, there was AC!!  There was a large fan near the apex of the teepee that was drawing hot air out and then an AC unit beside the bed that kept things comfortable.  

PC tried out the bed first thing and it met with his approval.  

I snapped pictures of all of the authentic (looking?) decor.

Then we decided it was time for dinner but first, I checked out the outhouse which was located just behind the teepee.

Very nice.  Definitely not your run of the mill outhouse!!

On our way back down the path to the parking lot, I took lots more pictures.  This little cactus arrangement was right beside our teepee.  I just love it.

The next two pictures are of a common area that is shared by occupants in the 3 teepees, complete with a kitchen and 'parlor.'

This would be a fabulous space for families to congregate.  Everyone could have their own teepee (or Safari tent, treehouse, etc.) but could meet here for meals, games, visiting.

Along the path leading to and from Tipi Village were these wooden signs imparting wise words.  On one side in English and on the other side in Spanish.

It takes very little to have a happy life.  It's all inside you, in your way of thinking.

 

The branches of many of the scrub trees on the property were festooned with old bottles filled with fairy lights.  I was so excited to return from dinner in anticipation of seeing the compound lit in twinkling light.

Look at these little cubs carved into this pole at the entrance to the ranch.

Had to snuggle this pup, also carved from wood, but was sorry I did as both hands came away covered in sticky sap.

Let's Eat

El Mistico Ranch is situated just north of Ruidoso, which is a fairy good sized town, and kind of in between Nogal and Capitan, both just wide spots in the road.  We didn't want to drive back down to Ruidoso (30+ minutes) so decided to try the Smokey Bear Restaurant in Capitan.  

PC had a beloved Smokey stuffie when he was a little boy.  We aren't sure what happened to it.  I have never had the pleasure of his acquaintance.  A few years ago, I purchased Paul a replacement Smokey which sits on the bookshelf in his office.  So, eating at the Smokey Bear Restaurant seemed like a given.

We were warmly welcomed by not 1 but 2 Smokey bears and then the entire staff of the restaurant.

I look pretty rough in the photo below.  Rough but happy.  We had spent the afternoon in close to triple digit heat fishing.  I had planned to shower and get dressed up for dinner but ran out of steam.  Don't think I even combed my hair!!

The menu was a combination of Mexican dishes and all-American fare.  I ordered a beef quesadilla that was very, very good.  And huge!!  PC had a double-cheeseburger which was also very good and very big.  The waitress was efficient and very sweet, and everyone at the Smokey Bear was so friendly.  We splurged on a piece of pecan pie with ice cream split between the two of us for dessert.

Before heading literally back to the ranch, we decided to go by Bonito Lake so PC could try a little pre-sunset fishing.

Bonito Lake at Day's End

The wind had picked up since dinner (even though my hair looked wind blown before dinner).  The water was rippled and the wind made it cooler for a little early evening fishing.

A whole lot of beauty but no fish on the line.  After about an hour we headed back to the ranch.

Bedtime Walk

When we got back to El Mistico, I wanted to explore a little more before the sunset.  Wanted to check out the geo domes and try to find the safari tents PC was so afraid we were going to be sleeping in.  The ranch was especially enchanting in the golden hour light.

Here's PC crossing the swinging bridge with dinner leftovers in hand.

We don't have lightning bugs out here but these twinkling lights in the bottles were the next best thing.  Would love to do this at home.

We walked through the 'time tunnel' and paused momentarily for a kiss.

We came upon the first of the geo domes on the other side of the tunnel.  Each one was secured by another large gate or door. 

I was able to peek around the gate to see the geo dome beyond it.  

Wouldn't that be a cool place to spend the night?  According to the El Mistico website, the far side of the dome is all glass and faces the valley and the setting sun.  I wish I could have tip-toed 'round the back to check it out for myself.

We continued up the path and were met by this wall of shiny metal panels that reflected the golden hour sunlight and more of the signs I mentioned above.

We stumbled up the other 2 geo domes which were equally unique and interesting.  And then came upon this mushroom garden.

PC discovered some hammocks and promptly climbed into one then gave me directions for successfully climbing into another.

Next stop, the pet cemetery.

We came across a pavilion with a complete kitchen and bar which was closed at the time.  And found concrete pads that were labeled for the safari tents.  We decided they must be set up only once they are rented.  

I was taking pictures of everything.  Obviously.  And PC got a little ahead of me on the path.  Guess what he stumbled upon next?  Look carefully at the photo below, the little sign left of the door.  Can you tell what this is?

There in the middle of all the fairy lights and setting sun was a Little Free Library.  Inside a bus or a van.  

 

It was open and had a wide selection of books, nonfiction, fiction, biography and a whole shelf for children's books.  

We continued to pass intriguing things all the way back to our teepee.

The bed was comfy, the air kept the teepee cool but there was this cricket...we don't really have crickets at home.  And it was singing all night.  Then the rusted windmill screeched off in the distance when the wind picked up.  But overall it was a good night with lots of happy memories to lull me to sleep.

Bonito Lake at Day Break

When I opened my eyes this morning, they were met with the sunlight dancing on the teepee canvas.
 

PC was anxious to get back on the lake so we didn't tarry long at the teepee this morning.  My leftover quesadilla was breakfast.  We showered, dressed and were on the lake before 7:00 am. 

The glassy water was still and quiet.  That is my fishing pole in the frame.  I purchased a one-day fishing license and used it that morning.  My efforts were rewarded with a small but stout rock bass???? - who knows what that is - which I photographed and threw back in the water.   Then promptly retired my pole.  Mission accomplished.

PC caught 2 rock bass.  We repeated the process of photographing them and returning them to the lake.  

We (he) fished until approaching noon at which time our hunger got the best of us.  Packed things up and headed down to Ruidoso for brunch at one of our favorite places there, the Log Cabin.

Notice PC is holding a local real estate magazine!!  While we ate we daydreamed of having a log cabin getaway tucked in the New Mexico mountains.

With our hearts and tummies full, I climbed behind the wheel and drove us back down the mountain toward home.  It was a enchanting overnight getaway.

Your Turn

Do you have summer plans for any overnight getaways?  We are planning another 3-day fishing trip to Lake Roberts, New Mexico the second week of July.  Hope to take my paints and pastels to play while PC fishes.

We are hosting our writing group tonight (started this post on Sunday and it is now Tuesday - why does it take me so long to get these written!!??).  I need to get my trotting harness on and get this house whipped into shape.

Hoping to finish writing about our London-Edinburgh adventures this week, too.  I always have been plans!!

Wishing you a peaceful week.  Thank you for spending a little of your day here with me.

Hugs and kisses,