What’s Hot?

• Express UU Bar Ranch: This historic ranch 11 miles south of Philmont Scout Ranch has recreational opportunities, including big game hunting, lake and stream fishing, sight-seeing, horseback rides, or just a quiet “get-away” destination at its exquisite lodge and high country cabins. The ranch features luxury lodging, meals prepared by an executive chef, meeting space, a sporting clay center, rifle range and 3-D archery range.

• Wildlife discovery: Like the UU Bar, the venerable Vermejo Park Ranch also offers multiple sporting opportunities and wildlife viewing that can include large herds of elk, deer, antelope, bear, mountain lion, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and black-footed ferrets. Other wildlife viewing areas include Philmont Scout Ranch, the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area in Cimarron Canyon State Park along U.S. 64, and the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge northeast of Cimarron.

• Kanik Winter Camping Program at Philmont, Dec. 28 - March 31: Between Christmas and New Years Eve a discounted holiday trek is offered. If there is inadequate snow for cross country skiing, crews head to Philmont backcountry. The program allows for weekend treks, but crews should plan to attend for 3 to 4 days to become fully trained, 376-2281.

• Philmont: The Seton Memorial Library/Philmont Museum is open during the winter, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed lunch) and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; Philmont’s Tooth of Time Traders outdoor store is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed lunch). Winter tours of Villa Philmonte are available by arrangement, 376-2281.

Don't Miss...
• Murder Mystery Weekends at the St. James Hotel, costumes, guns, murder, song-and-dance, fine dining and ghost stories, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, Feb.15-17, and April 11-13, 376-2664.

• Sunday Dinners at the St. James, featuring dinner and a speaker or entertainer for the evening, 376-2664.

• Holiday Art Walk, Nov. 23 – 25, shopping in the historic village in a relaxed and festive Christmas atmosphere. Refreshments and in-store prizes,
376-2417.

• Annual Black Tie, Blue Jean Art Scholarship Auction, TBA. Art auctioned to benefit graduating seniors in Colfax County, 376-2750.

Party Time …

• Colfax Tavern: A wayside watering hole, U.S. 64 on the way to Raton in the now-vanished town site of Colfax.

• St. James Hotel: gathering place of Old West characters, 17 and Collinson, Cimarron.

Gayanne Jeffers

Gayanne Jeffers has lived in Cimarron 18 years with her husband Casey and their children Sonny, 15, and Thomas, 9. They own and operate Cimarron West.

“I grew up in Springer then I went to college at West Texas State in Canyon. We were living in Amarillo while Casey attended saddle-making school. I
remember coming home to Springer and realizing as we got closer how beautiful the countryside is. This is who I am. I’m used to the culture here, all the good and the bad. I love the energy of Cimarron. There’s always something going on. It’s a healthy community, healthy school, and we’re lucky to have Philmont. Plus, you can’t get away from the history. There’s a reason people have come here for
hundreds of years. I can’t think of
anywhere else I’d rather live.”

In conversation with Ellen Miller-Goins

FYI...
• Cimarron Chamber: 575-376-2417;
www.cimarronnm.com
• Sangre de Cristo Chronicle: 575-377-2358;
www.sangrechronicle.com