Category: books, literature, arts

Discover Madrid, New Mexico: A Ghost Town Adventure

This post describes a visit to Madrid, New Mexico, while attending a unique wilderness medicine conference in Santa Fe. It highlights the area’s artistic vibe, mentioning that the film “Wild Hogs” was shot there. Additionally, it shares an enjoyable sunset horseback riding experience nearby.

updated November 15, 2025

My husband and I  were in Santa Fe, where I attended a medical conference on wilderness medicine. I don’t practice in the wilderness, but this conference offers fascinating lectures on topics not covered at any other event.

No other medical conference I’ve attended teaches the management of spider, tick, snake,bear, and shark bites, by speakers who have climbed Mount Everest and hiked Antarctica, among other exotic places.

Wild Hogs-the movie

 As with Santa Fe and Taos, art rules in Madrid. Walking around, you may feel like you are on a movie set- and in a way, you are.

The 2007 movie Wild Hogs was filmed here. ( an affiliate link)

Veteran actors John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, and Tim Allen portray middle-aged men who take a motorcycle trip through New Mexico to California. Along the way they find adventure they weren’t expecting, including encountering a motorcycle gang made up of midlife men who don’t like outsiders. But it’s all in fun and good for a lot of laughs.

The movie is available on Amazon Prime Video to rent or buy.

Madrid, New Mexico

Nestled on the northeast side of the Sandia Mountains is Madrid, New Mexico. Sitting midway along The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, Madrid is categorized as a ghost town even though this small village of about 400 residents is bustling during the summer months with shops, restaurants, and galleries catering to the many visitors along this ancient path.

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And at nearby Los Cerrillos, you can go horseback riding at the Broken Saddle Riding Co.

a man and woman both on horses
We enjoyed a sunset horseback ride while visiting Santa Fe and Taos in New Mexico.

Exploring the HEART of health in New Mexico

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

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I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

Also from our New Mexico trip

The Art and Science of New Mexico

Taos is an art mecca both within the town and at the Taos Pueblo, which is also a must see for those interested in  Native American history and culture. At the pueblo, tribe members display and sell handmade arts and crafts.

The Art and Science of New Mexico

Taos is an art mecca both within the town and at the Taos Pueblo, which is also a must see for those interested in  Native American history and culture. At the pueblo, tribe members display and sell handmade arts and crafts.

updated October 30, 2023

If you like art in any form- paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, pottery, jewelry, woodcarving- I recommend you plan a trip to northeast New Mexico to visit Santa Fe and Taos .

It’s easier now to visit than it was three years ago due to the strict pandemic protocols in place then. Their COVID-19 response was aggressive but successful in minimizing disease and death.

The Science

the state has been “very proactive at implementing science-based decisions.”

Sara Del Valle, a mathematical and computational epidemiologist at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

New Mexico’s Secretary of Human Services Dr. Scrase said “it’s really exciting to have a governor who values science and evidence.” Reopening decisions did take economic interests into account, he notes, but ultimately, they were driven by data about health and safety. “I’m really proud of that.”

Read more at this Scientific American article

How New Mexico Controlled the Spread of COVID-19

The Art of Santa Fe

You will be able to visit gallery after gallery, shop after shop for days on end, and still not see them all. If you arrive by air your art tour will start right at the airport which is small but sets the tone for what you will see during your stay.

As you step outside the terminal you will be greeted by the bronze statue Reverence by artist David Pearson. As described in an art guide,

“Hers is a pose of prayer, of openness to powers beyond all understanding,.. Her ancient gesture is transformed into one of welcome and benefaction in her perfect placement at the Santa Fe airport. “

statue of a young woman with outstretched arms
the Taos New Mexico airport terminal, an adobe building
statue of young woman

The Art at Taos- City and the Pueblo

Taos is an art mecca both within the town and at the Taos Pueblo, which is also a must-see for those interested in  Native American history and culture. At the pueblo, tribe members display and sell handmade arts and crafts.

sign Welcome to Taos Pueblo
pueblo of adobe in Taos New Mexico

a statue of Jesus Christ in a church
a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus located inside the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
metal bull statue
in Santa Fe
All photos by Dr. Aletha

Exploring the HEART of health and art in New Mexico

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha
man and woman at dinner
Dr. Aletha and Raymond

Raymond and I found several charming and tasty restaurants in Santa Fe

More from our trip

Discover Madrid, New Mexico: A Ghost Town Adventure

This post describes a visit to Madrid, New Mexico, while attending a unique wilderness medicine conference in Santa Fe. It highlights the area’s artistic vibe, mentioning that the film “Wild Hogs” was shot there. Additionally, it shares an enjoyable sunset horseback riding experience nearby.