Matthew Mitchell

1 week ago | rrobserver.com | Matthew Mitchell |Paul Gessing

A thousand years ago, a group of people settled along Red Willow Creek at the base of the Taos Mountains and never left. They were among the first, but hardly the last, to be enchanted by New Mexico’s snow-capped mountains and sun-drenched vistas. The state’s moderate climate, rich culture, and mouth-watering cuisine are peerless. And now that New Mexico churns out 2 million barrels of oil every day — more than 15% of all U.S. production — you’d think New Mexicans would be riding high.