Bernalillo is on the Northwest slope of the Sandia Mountains. US 66-El Camino Real and Old State Hwy 85 run through the center of town. Rafting is always a lot of fun on the Rio Grande river which runs Northwest through the town. There is music, arts and crafts, agricultural products and lots of foods at the New Mexico Wine festival held here on Labor Day weekend. Don't miss the Coronado State Monument, Off US 550, which includes the ruins of Kuaua Pueblo, which was inhabited by Tiwa-speaking farmers and represents indigenous Pueblo culture for the period 1325 to 1550 CE. There is also a reconstructed kiva or ceremonial chamber excavated and rebuilt in 1938.

Sharon Torres-Garcia