The livestock population in New Mexico far surpasses the human one. I don’t know how many actual black sheep you’ll find in the Land of Enchantment, but standing out from the herd isn’t a bad thing. In fact, individuality is often something to be celebrated. Here are 14 reasons why New Mexico might be America’s black sheep:
- Each January, Angel Fire hosts the World Shovel Race Championships.
Flickr/Lynn Eubank We’re certainly not a boring bunch.
- We have an entire museum devoted to rattlesnakes.
Flickr/Marcin Wichary That way you can teach kids to easily identify one without having to examine a wild specimen.
- Some of our festivals are… unique.
Flickr/Birdie Jaworski Roswell hosts an annual UFO Festival.
- One of our towns changed its name at the suggestion of a radio show host.
Flickr/florecita viajera Truth or Consequences used to be called Hot Springs.
- We have the only round state capitol building in the nation…
Flickr/Ken Lund …Which we unofficially (and unoriginally) refer to as the Roundhouse.
- That’s not our only unusual building.
Wikimedia Commons/Biodiesel33 New Mexico is also home to an earthship community.
- We don’t believe in paving roads.
Wikimedia Commons/Zenhaus Roughly three quarters of our roads remain unpaved so, during monsoon season, mudding becomes a universal hobby.
- We’re bizarrely fond of a particular gas station chain.
Flickr/Pierce Place The chain was founded in Roswell, so we’re just being loyal.
- We know that the best freshly baked bread comes from one of these.
Flickr/Jay Peeples Hornos are outdoor adobe ovens and if you ever have the chance to try food cooked in one of these, DO IT.
- We eat chile for breakfast.
Flickr/Emily Lewis Other people might consider this an unusual habit, but they’re the ones missing out.
- We also decorate our houses with chile.
Flickr/Nick These are called ristras and you’ll see them hanging outside people’s homes.
- We feel very strongly about Christmas decorations.
Flickr/Chris Dodson Some people refer to these as farolitos, while others call them luminarias. Which term do you use?
- New Mexico has double rainbows…
Flickr/Mary Madigan …Because we’re THAT awesome. These aren’t unique to New Mexico, but I’ve never seen one anywhere else. How about you?
- We don’t let idiots vote.
Flickr/Joe Hall No, really, it’s the law.
What would you add to this list?
Flickr/Lynn Eubank
We’re certainly not a boring bunch.
Flickr/Marcin Wichary
That way you can teach kids to easily identify one without having to examine a wild specimen.
Flickr/Birdie Jaworski
Roswell hosts an annual UFO Festival.
Flickr/florecita viajera
Truth or Consequences used to be called Hot Springs.
Flickr/Ken Lund
…Which we unofficially (and unoriginally) refer to as the Roundhouse.
Wikimedia Commons/Biodiesel33
New Mexico is also home to an earthship community.
Wikimedia Commons/Zenhaus
Roughly three quarters of our roads remain unpaved so, during monsoon season, mudding becomes a universal hobby.
Flickr/Pierce Place
The chain was founded in Roswell, so we’re just being loyal.
Flickr/Jay Peeples
Hornos are outdoor adobe ovens and if you ever have the chance to try food cooked in one of these, DO IT.
Flickr/Emily Lewis
Other people might consider this an unusual habit, but they’re the ones missing out.
Flickr/Nick
These are called ristras and you’ll see them hanging outside people’s homes.
Flickr/Chris Dodson
Some people refer to these as farolitos, while others call them luminarias. Which term do you use?
Flickr/Mary Madigan
…Because we’re THAT awesome. These aren’t unique to New Mexico, but I’ve never seen one anywhere else. How about you?
Flickr/Joe Hall
No, really, it’s the law.
Check out our past article: “These 10 Crazy Laws In New Mexico Will Leave You Scratching Your Head In Wonder.”
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