It’s a lovely day in the neighborhood and what a great neighborhood it is, here in the high country of Northern New Mexico. Red River makes a great base of operation for sightseeing and daytrips.

Historic St. James Hotel, Cimarron

As a vital outpost of the Old Santa Fe Trail, Cimarron and the St. James Hotel are linked to a veritable Who's Who of the early land grant settlers, ranchers and desperados (mugshots available upon request). The cast of characters included such notables as settlers Lucien Maxwell and Carlos Beaubien, Buffalo Bill Cody and his cohort, Annie Oakley, Kit Carson, Frank and Jesse James, Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid and Tom “Blackjack” Ketchum. The notorious shootist, Clay Allison, allegedly danced naked on the bar, once part of the present dining room which still has bullet holes in its pressed tin ceiling.

It was Henri Lambert, personal chef to President Abraham Lincoln, who established the Saloon in 1872; by 1880 it had evolved into the St. James Hotel. At the time it was the most elegant hotel between the mountains and the Mississippi River.

For those inclined to the paranormal, the Hotel has a long history, even right up to the present, of reported ghosts and supernatural happenings. In spite of an occasional friendly visitation, the list grows longer every day of happy, relaxed and rested folks who will testify to the charm and hospitality of this way station in the Rockies.

Fourteen restored rooms in the old hotel offer guests the simple but elegant ease of 19th century furnishings. The two-story Annex adjacent to the Hotel provides an additional ten rooms which accommodate a variety of sleeping options. Vera's Cafe and the Carson-Maxwell Dining Room, along with Lambert's Saloon will satisfy your food and beverage needs.

Don’t forget to see the world-famous Philmont Scout Ranch, just a few miles to the south. Check out the herd of plains bison. If you’re in the area on June 22-24, the Short Grass Music Festival in Cimarron promises to be great fun.

The Town of Taos

Located just 45 minutes from Red River, Taos is renowned for its art galleries with the works of world-famous artists. The nearby Taos Pueblo is the oldest continuously occupied living site in the USA. People live there: have some respect. In Ranchos de Taos, St Francis of Assisi is one of the most photographed and painted churches on the planet. It’s a real church so have some respect there too.