New Mexico

I would love to see that museum recreated in a more sensible place.

I have lived in a total of 8 different states so far. Hardly a record, I know. And this state, New Mexico, is far and away the best of those with places to see, sites to visit.

Here's an example that you may not know: Roswell, NM. We are all familiar with the supposed UFO crash that took place in 1947. There is a fascinating museum dedicated to that incident. I can recommend it, no matter what your take on what actually happened. However, most people have no idea that there are two incredibly good art museums in that same city. If you have zero interest in UFOs, you should still go there because those art museums are amazing and well worth your time.

If minerals are your thing, there's a mineral museum on the campus of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro. Several years ago I went there with my son. It's a fairly small museum, but he's the kind of geek/nerd (you may also know him as My Son The Astronomer) who read EVERY SINGLE description of EVERY SINGLE mineral. I'm looking at stuff and saying, "Isn't that pretty? Doesn't that look like a flower?" and he's saying "Oh, I had no idea those elements were in that mineral," or "So THAT'S why they call it that!"

I have no idea if you ever plan to return, but I hope you do. This state has so many things to see and places to visit, again far more than any other state I have lived in. Especially when you consider our relatively low population. See you here again, soon, I hope.