Traveling with the Longdogs: 2025-9-21 Enchanted Circle New Mexico

The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is an approximately 84-mile loop in northern New Mexico that encircles Wheeler Peak. It starts and ends in Taos.

It takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours if you don't stop along the way. Of course, we did stop.

There are small campgrounds along the way, scenic if you want to boondock.

We stopped to check one out and, of course, Elaine took a picture of me going to use the outhouse. I had to load pictures for a few posts using my phone on blogger and it only like pictures in the horizontal view. Back to the outhouse. It's ADA compliant, spotless inside, and there is absolutely no odor at all. The park was closing for the season in a couple of days.

I've heard of Red River many times and wanted to see it. Elevation is 8650 feet. Amazingly with my asthma, I have no problems with altitudes but Elaine is not so lucky. She had a little canister of oxygen so no ill affects.

Red River is known as a ski destination as well as being popular with RVers and motorcyclists.

Lots of condos that are probably filled with skiers in the winter.

This building had information about the area. Check out the beautiful hanging flowers.

This poster near the building shows the circle byway.

This lovely park was right behind the main park and building. There were a couple of people picnicing across a small bridge as well as several people fly fishing.

These unique totems were in front of the rental condos.

This ski lift was not in use this time of year but it's right in town.

Nice carved sculpture in front of another condo.

Back on the Byway. Great scenery but a little too early for much in the way of fall color.

The route circles Wheeler Peak which is the highest mountain in New Mexico.

We stopped at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial near Angel Fire. Jeanne and Dr. Victor Westphall began construction of the Vietnam Veterans Peace and Brotherhood Chapel t honor the memory of their son and the sixteen men that died with him near Con Thien, South Vietnam on May 22, 1968. Building a memorial to honor Vietnam vets was not popular at the time but they persevered using their own funds. The chapel was dedicated in May 1971 on the third anniversary of their son's death. It inspired the Veteran Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. The Disabled American Veterans organization committed funds and took over ownership of the site adding a much needed Visitor's Center. From the valley below, the chapel is all that can be seen as the Visitor's Center is built primarily underground. The Westphalls are buried on the site. The memorial became a state park in 2005 where fees can never be charged and the chapel is always open. Management was transferred to the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services in 2017. It is a beautiful and peaceful place.