Seniors Visit Farmington

This senior has always like that name…Farmington, but don’t know zip about the  city. So it’s time for a visit to see what awaits senior travelers to New Mexico’s Four Corners. Farmington is in San Juan County in the northwest corner of New Mexico.  

This largest city of San Juan County is in one of the geographically largest counties in the United States, covering 5,538 square miles. The population runs just over 46,000.

The history of the Farmington area dates back over 2,000 years when Anasazi lived in “pit houses” covering the entire the area. Ancient sites can be visited at both Salmon Ruins and Aztec Ruins.

The city was originally known as “Junction City” because of the access to three different rivers. In 1901 the town was incorporated and given the name Farmington with a population of just under 500. Today Farmington is known as the city “Where your four corner adventure begins.”

Farmington Is The Ultimate Destination

Farmington is the ultimate destination for senior explorers, history buffs and nature lovers alike. “Immersed in scenery photographers dream of, the Four Corners region is rich with Native American history, National Parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Hike and explore unique landscapes like the Bisti Badlands, fly fish the world-class Quality Waters along the San Juan River or test your golfing skills at nationally ranked Pinon Hills Golf Course.”

If indoor recreation is more your speed enjoy an afternoon of shopping at local Trading Posts for authentic Native American artwork or visit several Art Galleries, Museums and Shopping Centers. Sound neat? It is.

“Chaco Culture National Historical Park preserves the monumental architecture and complex community life of a major center of Ancestral Puebloan Culture (Anasazi) that took root and flourished for a thousand years.” I know of a site called Chaco Canyon where there are many Kivas.

Seniors Enjoy Ideal Climate In Farmington

Farmington is surrounded by world class scenic and historic treasures, all in this area called the Four Corners. Shiprock, originally called “The Needle”,  the most prominent landmark in northwestern New Mexico, rises nearly 1,600 feet above the high-desert plane of the Navajo nation. The formation plays a significant role in the Navajo religion, mythology and tradition. It resembles a 19th century clipper ship, thus the name, Shiprock.

The Mesa Verde National Park is an archaeological preserve famous for its concentration of cliff dwellings, 75 miles north of Farmington on Hwy. 491. There are a plethora of very weird geological formations to be seen in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness.

Because of its great location and nearly ideal climate, the city is an outdoor recreation paradise.  Senior fishing enthusiasts will enjoy fishing the streams around Farmington with some world-class trout to be caught in the San Juan River.

Bring your mountain bike along and your golf clubs. There are great trails and world class golf courses.   -jeb