When the snowfall thaws and the flowers bust through its reddish desert soil, New Mexico truly becomes a Land of Enchantment for travelers.

History buffs and amateur explorers will savor a trip to New Mexico, not only for its natural beauty, but also for its link to some of the country's largest tribes of Native Americans. New Mexico is home to Navajo, Apache, Ute, Hopi, and Pueblo cultures, and many of these tribes offer a variety of activities for vacationers. From stately casinos to concerts, golf, museums, markets, and feast days, Native New Mexico has something for everybody to enjoy and experience. Having spent a considerable number of years traveling through New Mexico's scenic landscapes from Las Cruces to Santa Fe, I think it's a destination that embodies the meaning of real western adventure.

Spring is a magical time of year in New Mexico, but weather in the most northern regions of the state can still be quite chilly until late April or May. A springtime visit is not complete without an overnight stay in Santa Fe, considered by many to be one of the country's healthiest cities and best known for its world-renowned art community.

While artists flourish in Santa Fe, perhaps no one individual from Santa Fe is more recognized than Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986). The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe was dedicated to showcasing the rich body of work of the famed modernist.

Go West, Young Man

With more than 30 state parks designed for RVs and general recreation, offering lake to mountain views, New Mexico is an intriguing contrast of landscapes for first-time visitors. For starters, there's mysterious Carlsbad Cavern National Park that gives visitors a look at the deepest limestone cave in the world at 1,567 feet down. Other things to do in New Mexico include a visit to Deming, a great area for spring camping, especially when winter snowmelt and spring rains bring the vivid colors of desert wildflowers. Several parks in the area offer a feast of senses during their festivals.

Folklorico dancers, mariachi music, and a parade led by 100 Mexican Cabalgata horseback riders are just a few of the activities planned during Camp Furlong Days in early March at Pancho Villa State Park. City of Rocks State Park offers monthly Star parties under the clear desert skies, with a solar-powered observatory and participation by the National Public Observatory and the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium. Rockhound State Park celebrates the magic of spring in April with Desert Alive, a salute to the wildflowers, bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park near Alamogordo celebrates the natural wonders and rich cultural legacy of the Chihuahua Desert in mid-March at its annual Dog Canyon Experience event. In May, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park in Carlsbad hosts a four-day Mescal Roast, honoring the traditions of the Mescalero Apaches. It features a performance of traditional Apache War/Mountain Spirit dances by local Apache tribe members, and the dinner is modeled after traditional Apache feasts.

For more information about New Mexico travel, contact www.nmparks.com or call 888/667-2757.