travel by joe schmitt
Los ALAmos, New mexico
The liTTle ToWn WiTh no name and a very big secreT.
Dramatic beauty at Ghost Ranch
Few small towns in our very big world have an eclectic history that can match that of Los Alamos, New
Mexico. We now know this small mesa community as the birthplace of the atomic bomb which, for all its gore,
is widely credited for stopping World War II. But during the top-secret days of the Manhattan Project, this little
town was a town without a name. Its anonymity was so protected, that workers here at the time were not even
allowed to tell family and friends where they were. Mail was monitored, and even the children born here came
with birth certificates that listed a P.O. Box in nearby Santa Fe as their birthplace.
Today, Los Alamos boasts abundant scenic attractions, sporting and leisure activities and annual commu-
nity events. The Los Alamos National Laboratory, established in 1943, remains an active top-secret research
facility committed to our country’s future needs in science, technology, engineering and defense. This small
yet diverse and gay-friendly community includes people from every walk of life, including what’s purported
to be the highest concentration of PhD holders of any city in the country. With only a handful of stoplights,
downtown Los Alamos offers many historic attractions easily explored on foot, weather permitting, along
with majestic 360-degree views of the nearby mountains and valley floor. Less than an hour from Santa Fe
by car, Los Alamos is an easy day-tripping destination as well as an eclectic home base for exploring other
attractions in the North Central region of beautiful New Mexico.
Where to stay:
There are a number of affordable small hotels and
inns from which to choose in Los Alamos. Consult
visit.losalamos.com for a complete listing. In nearby
Tesuque, adventure seekers unwilling to forgo lux-
ury will find their calling at Encantado, an Auberge
Resort (encantadoresort.com). Guests at Encantado
might explore Los Alamos in the comfort of one of
the resort’s complimentary Mercedes convertibles.
Along with distinctive fine dining and a world-class
spa, visitors enjoy nightly majestic sunsets from
their private patio, from the elegant pool area or by
the communal fire pit just outside the resort’s bar.
Encantado Resort pool
52 RAGE monthly | november 2009
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