ArcaMax

Still doing holiday shopping? Take your pick of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, handwoven rugs and baskets -- entire roomfuls that are handmade by Native American artisans. Of course, you can shop till you drop anytime!

Welcome to the Perry Null Trading Company in Gallup, New Mexico, one of the largest trading companies (there are about 30) and galleries in this small city of 22,000. The Ellis Tander Trading Company, in fact, just exhibited some of its jewelry at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, said Emerald Tanner, the fifth generation in the business.

"People don't realize that most of the Native American arts in the world come from within 150 miles of Gallup," said Perry Null, himself in business for nearly 50 years. "This is where the artists all live and work." In fact, Gallup is in the heart of Native American lands, including Navajo, Zuni, Hopi and other tribes.

But no one thinks of Gallup for Native American arts -- or much else, locals joke. When you think of New Mexico you probably think of Santa Fe for its opera and Native American arts; Taos for skiing and its famous pueblo, which dates back centuries, and Albuquerque for its Balloon Fiesta.

But as wonderful as these cities are they should be just a starting point for a visit to New Mexico. There are 19 pueblos, each with its own government, but sharing a common culture; national parks and monuments, including Carlsbad Caverns, Bandelier National Monument and White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico where you can literally sled down huge sand dunes. There's also Route 66 and all the food made with green and red chiles you can eat.

Gallup, about a three-hour drive west from Albuquerque on Route 66 is a case in point I discovered when I co-chaired the TMS Family Travel Conference here just before Thanksgiving. All of the attendees got a quick lesson in how much fun, affordable (hotel rooms here are well under $100 a night) and educational getting off the tourist track can be.

Looking for adventure? Try hot-air ballooning as we did, with a dawn ride over Red Rock Park where, yes, the red stone cliffs are a distinctive dark pink color. Gallup just held its Red Rock Balloon Rally the first weekend in December. It's the second largest in the world with more than 200 balloons. This rally, however, is far less expensive and not as crowded as the one in Albuquerque. (Tip: If you come next year, volunteer to help on a balloon crew. There's a good chance you will get a free ride!) We were also treated to an evening "balloon glow" where the balloons light up the dark sky.

Mountain bike or hike somewhere on the High Desert Trail system. We took our pooch (Gallup is very dog-friendly) on an early morning hike up the Pyramid Rock Trail in Red Rock Park. The views of the cliffs were terrific.

Just be mindful of the altitude -- Gallup is nearly 6,500 feet above sea level. So you need to drink plenty of water, slather on sunscreen and kick back, if you get a headache or find yourself short of breath.

Love cowboys? Once you've gotten your cowboy hats and boots -- maybe even some moccasins made at the City Electric Shoe Shop -- head to a rodeo at Red Rock Park. From early spring into the fall, rodeos occur on most weekends at various venues around the area. During the summer, Red Rock Park hosts several of the largest events.

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