Print this page out and take it with you on your next day-trip to the Jemez mountains from Albuquerque, New Mexico!

There are so many wonderful things to see when you visit Albuquerque. More than 600 hundred balloons which fly every year in early October when Albuquerque's annual balloon fiesta is held. Thousands of people from all parts of the world come to celebrate this nine-day ballooning extravaganza--the biggest and best ballooning event held anywhere in the world.

Albuquerque is by far the largest city in the Land of Enchantment. 50% of New Mexico's population lives here. With it's mild climate and many resources the city offers the out-of-town visitor a delightful assortment of interesting things to see and do all year round. Museums, shops and galleries offer images of the areas colorful history, as well as contemporary art and artifacts. Here three cultures -- Anglo, Hispanic and Indian -- come together to provide a rich mixture of past and present, all set in background of rugged beauty and southwestern hospitality for which Albuquerque is known.

Albuquerque is also a departure point for full or part-day side-trips to nearby areas. One of these which definitely shouldn't be missed is a visit to the beautiful Red Rock mountain area of the Jemez. Formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, Jemez is endowed with many natural hot springs which can be enjoyed by visitors.

A part-day trip should include the Village of Jemez Springs, Soda Dam, Battleship Rock picnic area, Fenton Lake and Bandolier National Monument. For a full-day trip you can continue on to Los Alamos and Santa Fe, returning to Albuquerque on Interstate Highway 25.

To get to the Jemez, take Interstate Highway 25 north from Albuquerque. About 10 miles past Albuquerque take the exit 242 turnoff for Highway 550 west. You'll pass through the town of Bernalillo. Just out of Bernalillo you may want to stop off at the Coronado National Monument. This is the site of early Pueblo ruins, where you can also get a great view of the Rio Grande River.

Continue on Highway 550 and you'll see the landscape gradually changing into the higher buttes and hills of the more northern areas. You'll be passing through several Indian Pueblo as you make your way to the town of San Ysidro (Yee-see-droh), which is about a half hour drive from Bernalillo. Turning north at San Ysidro on Highway 4 will take you on a beautiful 11 mile drive to Shangri La West in about 15 minutes. Shortly after you pass the Jemez Pueblo, you'll see signs for the Gallery, and the Gallery itself on your left.

As you approach the Gallery, pass through the gate and into the courtyard, we think you'll be impressed with the sight that greets you. The red rock mountains of Jemez form a dramatic backdrop for the Gallery. Everything you see around you reflects the natural beauty of the area, as well as the care devoted to creating an environment where you are surrounded by peacefulness and harmony. Don't be surprised if you feel your cares and concerns falling away effortlessly as you breathe in the ambience of the Gallery and it's lovely courtyard. This often happens with visitors to the Gallery. It's part of the reason we named it "Shangri La West."

Stepping inside the Gallery most visitors find themselves astonished at the abundance and quality of art they see. Most of the pottery, jewelry and other artifacts is the work of local artists. Potters from the nearby Jemez Pueblo are renowned for their original and beautiful designs. Artists from the Zia Pueblo, also nearby, create pottery featuring birds, animals, flowers and other designs from nature.

The Gallery also offers works of art from Mexico and South America. Animal carvings from Oaxaca. Gourd carvings from Peru. Baskets, masks and drums from Copper Canyon. The Cornmaiden also features handmade Egyptian earrings for unpierced ears. Ensembles in turquoise and silver. All sizes of pottery, each elegant in it's own shape and style. Dream-catchers, Kachinas, handwoven Indian rugs, Storyteller figures and much more. You'll see all these and more as you look around the Gallery.

Shangri La West has an impressive collection of handmade, handpainted pottery in a kaleidoscope of colors, shapes and sizes. Each pot is a unique work of art, created by a skilled Native American craftsperson. Shangri La West Gallery is a bit smaller than the Cornmaiden, but its shelves are filled with a variety of fine southwestern art including animal figures, Kachinas, Dream-catchers and fine jewelry of the same high quality that you saw at the Cornmaiden.

Shangri La West also has a good-sized selection of original paintings, as well as a wide assortment of Native American artifacts. These range from small totems (fetishes) work around the neck, to larger pieces which can be quite elaborate in their design. Many hours of great skill and eye-hand coordination have gone into creating such works.

And there's one more thing you'll find at Shangri La West Gallery and that's hospitality. Whether you're just browsing or want to purchase some fine southwest art to take back home with you, we'll do everything we can to make your visit with us a pleasant and memorable one.

This concludes our tour of the Cornmaiden and Shangri La West Galleries. We hope you've enjoyed your visit and you'll come back and visit us again!