A First Grade Guide To New Mexico

#A First Grade Guide To New Mexico Welcome to the the First Grade Guide to New Mexico, written by the 2015/ 2016 first grade class at Mountain Mahogany Community School (and one of their fans too). Each student selected one of their favorite places in New Mexico; large spaces, small spaces, indoor spaces, outdoor spaces, private spaces, and public spaces. Included are maps, general information, as well as some stories relating to their selections. Please head on into the guide book or go to the student index to see a particular author's entry. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/nm%20outline.jpg" width="100"> ###[[The Guide book->New Mexico by way of First Grade Guides]] #####[[Index]] #####[[Colophon]]

#Student Index [[Alexi->Alexi's House]] [[Aubrey->Aubrey's House]] [[Aurelia->The Secret Spot Behind My House]] [[Bodhi->Bodhi's Grandparent's House]] [[Carla->Clovis, New Mexico]] [[David->David's House]] [[Desmond->Desmond's Closet]] [[Finian->Finian's House]] [[George->George, The Zoo]] [[Iris->Abiquiu, New Mexico]] [[Jamie->Eddy's Claim]] [[Lillian->Lillian's Company]] [[Mia->The Zoo by Mia]] [[Mikaylah->Mikaylah's House]] [[Noah->MMCS by Noah]] [[Olivia->Olivia's Tree House]] [[Rio->Cabin in Chama]] [[Sophia->Sophia's Grandparent's]] [[Tavish->Area Code 505]] [[Violet->Cedar Crest]] [[Will->MMCS by Will]] [[Zion->MMCS by Zion]]

#In a Balloon Over the Duke City Our guides are all certified mind pilots with a lighter than air office hanging silently over Albuquerque; New Mexico's largest city. Above this glistening desert jewel you may travel [[north]], [[south]], [[east]], or [[west]]. Naturally, you could [[drop into town->Albuquerque]], or simply [[take it all in->Area Code 505]].

#North of Albuquerque Nestled in the mountains near the border of New Mexico and Colorado is [[Abiquiu, New Mexico]], a favorite of one of our illustrious guides. Be sure to visit Rio's [[Cabin in Chama]]. While you're in that area be sure to [[look up->Olivia's Tree House]].

#South of Albuquerque So many communities lay south of Albuquerque; many within the nurturing influence of the Rio Grande and its Bosque. 224 and 1/2 miles south and you'll reach one young friend's [[favorite spots->Bodhi's Grandparent's House]] in the southern city of Las Cruces.

#East of Albuquerque Our guides note only a few of the many historic sites east of Albuquerque starting with the phenomenal Sandia Mountains. Perched along the top ridge of these mountains is a great [[spot->Cedar Crest]] to do some jumping and juniper berry picking. You can head toward the state's border with Texas and visit [[Clovis, New Mexico]], and you're also welcome to head south into the mountains to check out a [[mine->Eddy's Claim]].

#West of Albuquerque Although there are a great many attractions to the west of Albuquerque, the first graders have not written any of them into this guide. Just on the edge, or anyway what used to be the edge of Albuquerque are the Petroglyphs. One of many reminders that the river valley has been inhabited by people for (at least) 11,000 years.

# Albuquerque In the city of Albuquerque you can find many points of interest dear to our guides. Many First Graders are very fond of their personal and family spaces and [[describe their homes-> Houses]] as their favorite places in the entire state. Additionally, there are [[Secret Spots]] that offer an aire of mystery. One industrious young soul greatly cherishes her [[Company Headquarters->Lillian's Company]]. One group of nilagenarian intellectuals list [[The School]] as their favorite place in all of this land. And two of our friends love [[the zoo->George, The Zoo]], sometimes called [[the Biopark->The Zoo by Mia]].

Scattered about the city are some very treasured domiciles. You are encouraged to visit many of these homes for a variety of reasons although an affinity for Pokemon is recommended. Check out [[Alexi's House]] if you're into playing, [[Aubrey's House]] for a nice foot soak, [[David's House]] (or specifically his bedroom) to see an epic Pokemon collection, [[Finian's House]] to see a beloved canine, [[Desmond's House->Desmond's Closet]] (or specifically his closet) for a beloved feline, [[Mikaylah's House]] if you'd like to take it easy, and [[Sophia's Grandparent's]] house if you'd like to help out.

Perhaps you can find an [[in between kind of place ->The Secret Spot Behind My House]]. You could also go [[underground]] but it isn't specifically recommended or condoned.

#The Secret Spot Behind My House ######by Aurelia My favorite place in New Mexico is my secret spot behind my house. You can find it by visiting me at Dennison Road. It is interesting because no one knows about it except the girl next door. Also, it's special. The best part about my spot is funness! If you like secret hideouts and escaping the parents you should definitely visit my secret spot behind my house. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/AureliaMap.JPG">

#Alexi's House ######by Alexi My favorite place in New Mexico is my house. You can find it by looking in Google maps. It is interesting because all my toys are there. Also, I have a lot of world championship Pokemon Cards. The best part about my house is my play area because I can play with my Legos. If you like Pokemon cards or Legos you should definitely visit my house. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/AlexiMap.JPG">

#Aubrey's House ######by Aubrey My favorite place in New Mexico is my home with my mom and dad. You can find it by the Bosque. I like the Bosque, it is cool and fun. My house is interesting because it has water and you can put your feet in the water. Also, it is cold and you have to get used to it. The best part about my house is it is fun and I like that it is fun. If you like putting your feet in the water you should definitely visit my house. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/AubreyMap.JPG">

#David's Bedroom ######by David My favorite place in New Mexico is my bedroom. You can find it by taking Tramway and Cedar Lane. It is interesting because there's Pokemon. Also, hotwheels. The best part about my bedroom is Pokemon. If you like pocket monsters you should visit for a while. You should definitely visit if you like Pokemon. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/DavidMap.JPG">

#Finian's House ######by Finian My favorite place in New Mexico is my house. You can find it by driving down Central and Girard. It is interesting because my dog is there. Also, my Pokemon. The best part about my house is shoes(?). If you like Pokemon you should definitely visit my house.

#Cedar Crest ######by Violet My favorite place in New Mexico is Cedar Crest. You can find it by heading east from Albuquerque. It is interesting because my house is there. Also, I have a cat. The best part about Cedar Crest is that I have a trampoline at my house. If you like Juniper trees you should definitely visit Cedar Crest. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/Violetmap.JPG">

Being that they spend a considerable amount of time at Mountain Mahogany, it's fantastic that [[Noah->MMCS by Noah]], [[Will->MMCS by Will]], and [[Zion->MMCS by Zion]] each consider it their favorite place in the entire state.

#Mountain Mahogany Community School ######by Zion My favorite place in New Mexico is my Mountain Mahogany Community School. You can find it by looking on my iPad. It is interesting because my friend Finian is there. Also, recess is fun. The best part about MMCS is going to the Bosque and playing in the mud. If you like learning and having fun you should definitely visit Mountain Mahogany Community School. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/Zionmap.JPG">

#Mountain Mahogany Community School ######by Will My favorite place in New Mexico is Mountain Mahogany Community School. You can find it by Taco Bell. It is interesting because it has stray cats, it has a goose in the field and it has a pond. Also, there is an orchard and people talk. The best part about Mountain Mahogany is trading Pokemon. If you like math and reading you should definitely visit Mountain Mahogany Community School. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/WillMap.JPG">

#Mountain Mahogany Community School ######by Noah My favorite place in New Mexico is Mountain Mahogany Community School. You can find it by going on 4th street and looking across from Garcia's Kitchen. It is interesting because bullying is not allowed, which is cool. Also, it is a very fun place because you have Art, Gardening, and PE. The best part about MMCS is learning, playing, and reading. If you like learning, playing, and reading you should definitely visit Mountain Mahogany Community School. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/NoahMap.JPG">

#Abiquiu, New Mexico ######by Iris My favorite place in New Mexico is Abiquiu. You can find it by driving north (from Albuquerque). It is interesting because it has dirt roads. Also, there are cows and trees. The best part about Abiquiu is picking flowers. If you like swimming you should definitely visit Abiquiu Dam. ###My Family in Abiquiu When you go to Kathy's house you can sculpt with clay and play with her dogs Luna and Peanut. When you are at Amber’s house you can make pottery and when you are by yourself you can walk. Also, you can go to the stables. Just down the hill from Kathy’s house. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/IrisMap.JPG">

#Cabin in Chama ######by Rio My favorite place in New Mexico is our Cabin in Chama. You can find it by looking in a map. It is interesting because of the bears. Also, the dear. The best part about Chama is the shopping. If you like fun you should definitely visit Chama. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/RioMap.JPG">

#Clovis, New Mexico ######by Carla My favorite place in New Mexico is Clovis. You can find it by using a map. It is interesting because it is very fun there. Also, I have been there many times. The best part about Clovis is there is a place that has mini golf and boats. If you like mini boats you should definitely visit Clovis. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/CarlaMap.JPG">

#Eddy's Claim ######by Jamie My favorite place in New Mexico is Eddy's Claim. You can find it by the mountains south of Albuquerque. It is interesting because you can mine. Also, it is fun. The best part about Eddy's Claim is the gold. If you like gold and cool rocks you should definitely visit Eddy's Claim. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/JamieMap.JPG">

#My closet ######by Desmond My favorite place in New Mexico is my closet. You can find it by visiting my house. It is interesting because the cats sleep in my closet and that is funny. The best part about my closet is that the cats are cute! If you like cute cats you should visit my closet. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/DesmondMap.JPG">

#My Company on Dartmouth ######by Lillian My favorite place in New Mexico is my company on Dartmouth Drive. You can find it by Dartmouth Dr. It is interesting because I'm only eight and it's fun to have a job. Also, I love to do it. The best part about my company is that I get money. If you like my company you should definitely visit soon. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/LillianMap.JPG">

#My Grandma and Grandpa's House ######by Sophia My favorite place in New Mexico is my Grandma and Grandpa's house. You can find it by a park. It is interesting because it only has one neighbor. Also, it has a lot of plants. The best part about the house is the decorations. If you like helping them you should definitely visit my Grandma and Grandpa's house. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/SophiaMap.JPG">

#My Grandma and Grandpa's House ######by Bodhi My favorite place in New Mexico is my Grandma's house. You can find it by traveling 224.5 miles from Albuquerque. It is interesting because It is my Grandma and Grandpa's house. Also, because my cousin lives right next to my Grandma and Grandpa's. The best part about Las Cruces is visiting my family. If you like warm weather you should definitely visit Las Cruces. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/BodhiMap.JPG">

#My House ######by Mikaylah My favorite place in New Mexico is my house. You can find it by reading a map online. It is interesting because my family is there. Also, I play with my mom. The best part about play is fun. If you like taking it easy you should definitely visit my house. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/MikaylahMap.JPG">

#My Tree House ######by Olivia My favorite place in New Mexico is my tree house. You can find it by going to my Papa's backyard. It is interesting because it is in a tree. Also, my Papa and I are making it. The best part about my tree house is that it is hand made. If you like fun and playing outside you should definitely visit my tree house.

#The Albuquerque Zoo ######by Mia My favorite place in New Mexico is the Albuquerque Zoo. You can find it by using a map. It is interesting because there are polar bears in the desert. Also, there is ice cream. The best part about the zoo is looking at all the different cool animals. If you like animals, walking, looking, and eating food you should definitely visit the zoo. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/MiaMapA.JPG"><img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/MiaMapB.JPG">

#Area Code 505 ######by Tavish My favorite place in New Mexico is Area Code 505. You can find it by visiting Albuquerque and the surrounding area. It is interesting because it is a big place. Also, it is fun because you can do pretty much anything that you want to do. The best part about Area Code 505 is the life there. If you like happy places you should definitely visit Area Code 505. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/TavhishMap.JPG">

#The Albuquerque Zoo and Bio Park ######by George My favorite in New Mexico is the Albuquerque Zoo. You can find it by looking for the signs pointing to the zoo. It is interesting because there are a bunch of animals. Also, It is really fun because we get to have family time. The best part about the Zoo is that there are a bunch of snacks like ice cream and slushies. If you like animals, snacks, and family time, you should definitely visit the Zoo. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/GeorgeMap.JPG">

#Deep Dark Ditch Tunnel ######by Mr. Brian When I was thirteen years old a group of my friends and I ventured into a storm drain that's located on the north side of I-40 near Carlisle. I remember we took rope, six flashlights, a betacam equipped with 'night vision', and several crudely fashioned sandwiches. <img src="http://bpg.neocities.org/FGGNM/BrianMap.JPG"> Graham, Everett, and I were each thirteen. I think Graham's brother was probably sixteen or seventeen. Old enough to have a license, a car, time to lead a younger sibling and his friends on a foolish adventure, but not old enough to have the maturity or executive judgement that might have prevented such a quest from being planned and executed. Graham's brother, I can't recall his name, had visited the site before an unspecified number of times and was coolly nonchalant about the tunnel, its features, and any danger that it might (or likely did) contain. He wore brownish cargo pants, a white muscle shirt, and regarded us with a brooding tolerance. He repeatedly assured us that we would not meet our end in a flash flood, in spite of the fact that the ditch outside the tunnel had walls at least 25 feet high. Well, by my memory anyway. At one point he flashed a pocket knife with the comment ‘In case we need to defend ourselves.’ Because of his more than six foot height and relative maturity I found the statement more reassuring that I clearly should have. Graham was more Everett's friend than mine and made me slightly nervous; mainly because I knew he and Everett had known each other since they were quite small, and that I was a recent addition to their social circle. I felt like I needed to impress him somehow so as to justify my friendship with Everett. He wore a stringy and faded set of denim shorts and a brown t-shirt brandishing graphics for the band Ween. Everett and I met through the Lobo Aquatic Club, a competitive swim team that met at UNM’s Johnson Gym near our school. We likely wouldn't have become friends at Jefferson Middle School but because of our walk to the gym along the same route after school and our mutual disdain for the competitive intensity of the swim club we became fast friends burning time after school before swim team practice. The only explanation for our never having been kicked out of Johnson gym is that the gym staff were college students. I was nervous as we entered the tunnel. We we interlopers. Tourists. Invaders. We knew nothing of the tunnels secrets, of its indigenous residents. I had trouble shaking the notion that we didn't belong there. I kept the feeling to myself. The air in the tunnel smelled appropriately foreign; mysterious. A confusion of humidity, cardboard, and foreboding. The interior walls were glossy from the damp, even close to the tunnel entrance and the dry high desert air outside. As we made our way in through the first ten meters we didn’t need our lamps to reveal the tunnel's first treasure: graffiti. All along the tunnel's walls and ceiling were the names of previous explorers; a massive and seemingly endless collage of styles, colors, technical abilities, scripts, and messages. The way words and symbols locked together implied that there was some de facto agreement that nothing painted onto the tunnels surface would be erased or overwritten by another hand; that each image had its own place in the collage and there would always be enough surface along the nearly endless path for new markings. Foolishly, as the daylight was swallowed by the tunnel's inky blackness, we went [[deeper]] in.

In the fading light the distance back to the entrance became exaggerated, as though we had been walking much farther than was possible. The exit itself was still in sight: a singular prick of illumination haloed by the light reflecting sharply off of the flat, glossy walls of the tunnel. Ahead was the fork. [[Left]] and [[Right]].

We decided to inspect the left branch of the fork because the result was immediately clear: an opening lay in this direction and it would be good to know what sort of way out existed since we were now deep enough into the tunnel that outrunning any dangers to the original exit might be problematic. As we came closer to the new light source our suspicions were confirmed: the exit was blocked by a massive steel grate, taller than even Graham's imposing brother. Beyond the grate was a drainage sluice between the freeway and the neighborhood that existed south of the roadway. After a few moments of investigation we returned to the fork.

The right passage narrowed to a circular tube large enough to enter but we all had to stoop; Graham's brother especially so. We trudged on into darkness for the majority of an hour. The circular tube occasionally opened into rectangular chambers with iron rebar ladder steps embedded into the walls. The steps lead to iron sewer covers in the ceiling twelve or so feet above. In the first of these chambers we attempted to lift the cover but its weight made lifting it while balancing on the iron ladder steps too much of a challenge. Probably for the better, as cars could be heard passing overhead. At one point we tested the ‘night vision’ of the betacam. We each took turns looking into an eyepiece which revealed a green-cast rendering of our surroundings. The tube was not made more interesting by this effect but each of us were eerily portrayed with white pupils. I considered what a rabid dog or some other monster of the tunnel might look like with the camera’s creepy intensification. It was then that the [[creature]] made its appearance.

This webpage was built by Mr.Brian using Twine 2, a tool for crafting nonlinear narratives using hyperlink text. The webhosting is provided by the fantastic (and free) neocities.org

There was an oily lump in the distance and it seemed to be moving towards us. We all froze in our tracks, straining to see, to hear, to understand it more clearly. Flecks of light were reflecting off of it. Were those eyes? Graham’s brother dashed towards the thing leaping onto it with his [[pocket knife]].

After a brief struggle he held up the carcass of the creature for us to behold: an eviscerated trashbag leaking it’s rotting contents. We exhaled. When the first flashlight began to dim we made the decision to return to the surface. It had been over an hour and the tunnel seemed to have no possibility of ending. Graham’s brother measured the length of one of the tube segments with his feet and began to count the uniform segments on the way out. By his calculation of approximately 15 foot-lengths per segment multiplied by dozens of segments, we had traveled two to three miles. He was in high school. I trusted his math. The tunnel isn’t one of my favorite places in New Mexico. There are sights and places with far greater emotional, aesthetic, and historic value. But my memory of that day is one I’ve enjoyed reflecting on over the years. And what is a place without a memory, without a story? Exploring a place in your community that is obvious but unseen should occur often, even if it’s a place you feel like you don’t belong in. Take a chance… Take some rope and a flashlight.