JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE!

“Woke up this morning, and the sun was climbing into a clear blue mountain sky.
And the smell of pinon smoke floatin’ on the breeze...”

- “It’s A Good Day” by Fritz Davis ©2006

Hey, it’s summer in Red River, a great time to be in the high country valley where the river runs chilly on its way to the Rio Grande, the Mother river of the Land of Enchantment. You may hear the locals proclaim, usually to each other: “It’s just another day in paradise.”

If you’re an early riser, a brisk stroll will be invigorating, but be sure to take a sweater because you may be able to see your breath in the morning chill. The overnight temp may be 40 degrees. Maybe even 39. If the daytime temperature reaches past 75 degrees, it’s a heatwave. (How hot was it when you left home to come here: 840 degrees?)

If the sunshine on your shoulder makes you happy but warm, find some shade and cool off because the sun won’t follow you. Also, there is no humidity unless it happens to be raining, one of those famous afternoon mountain showers you’ve always heard about, but never experienced.

If you do get caught in the rain, head indoors and take advantage of the great Red River shops, stores and galleries or have a sit-down in a local eatery and have a cup of coffee and a piece of pie or some nachos. As soon as the rain stops - it probably won’t be long - head outside and look towards the east and the Upper Valley. You may be just in time to see a double rainbow. It’s not unusual around here - just another day in paradise.

Want to know more? Here are a few facts about Red River:

It was founded in 1895 as Red River City, a mining town.

The altitude is 8750' (or 8650' ) depending on who's measuring.

Year round populaton is 484 people, swelling to 8-10,000 with summer visitors.

Average summer daytime temperature is 75 degrees F, 38 degrees at night.

It is about 40 minutes to Taos, 2 hours to Santa Fe and 3 hours to Albuquerque.

The area code is now 575 and the zip is 87558.

The town is about 3 miles long from city limit to city limit, and 3 blocks wide (most places).