Lodging: Grants
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| Book a suite at Cimarron Rose to enjoy the natural splendor of the bed and breakfast's 42-acre grounds, as well as its rustic, cozy accomodations. |
About Time
On arriving at the Cimarron Rose
bed and breakfast, 106 miles west of Albuquerque off I-40, you think, “Wow, this is in the middle of nowhere.”
An hour later, after settling into your lovely, fully stocked suite, you think, “Do we have to go anywhere?”
Guests arrive at owner Sheri McWethy’s three-suite compound with plans for hitting all the area attractions—El Morro and El Malpais national monuments, Zuni Pueblo, and the town of Gallup. But then they end up wishing they could have spent their days just wandering the 42-acre grounds, appreciating the hundreds of species of birds and butterflies, the gardens, and the peaceful ambience of the Tierra Madre art gallery that also serves as the B&B’s common room.
The change of heart is due largely to the suites themselves: McWethy has provided everything you didn’t know you wanted. Like some music? A thoughtful selection of jazz, classical, and world music CDs sits right by the player. How about a cocktail? The highball glasses may be nicer than you have at home. Before it even occurs to you to take your morning coffee out on the patio, you find a thermal carafe and insulated cups at hand, along with a chocolate biscotti and granola to munch on.
“We’re known for our amenities,” McWethy says, “because we like to travel this way ourselves.” A lifelong naturalist and equestrian who worked for the National Park and Forest services, she seems to have an instinct for what people need to really get away: not just comfort, but inspiration, the irresistible pull to slow down and enjoy the present. It’s no wonder so many visitors come back.
Located near the 7,700-foot Continental Divide and along the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway, the area has long been popular with artists—the original source of the multi-building compound. McWethy refurbished the original house, and in 1997 opened the three tastefully appointed suites with full kitchens.
Chat with McWethy when she brings your morning breakfast, or follow her out to feed her pair of pygmy goats and Cimarrón, the wild horse she rescued and after whom the B&B is named. McWethy can identify the amazing variety of birds and butterflies that visit the garden, giving you a good taste of the area’s vibe: peaceful, friendly, steeped in history—in a word, timeless.
From $125 per night; discounts are available for multiple-night stays. 689 Oso Ridge Route (on N.M. 53), (800) 856-5776, www.cimarronrose.com—Keiko Ohnuma
