Golden, New Mexico

Golden is a few miles south of Madrid along the Turquoise Trail (NM 14). There's a few nice homes in what's left of town but Golden has obviously seen better days. Southeast of town are the San Pedro Mountains. Somewhere between Golden and the San Pedros is the site of the first big gold strike in America and initiator of the very first American Gold Rush, back in 1825. I always find it a bit amazing that the Spanish traipsed all over this countryside for 200+ years looking for gold and the only gold that has ever been found was discovered after the Spanish were booted out.

Anyway, Golden has some large ranches around but not much else. If you need groceries, it's driving to Santa Fe or maybe somewhere between Sandia Park and Cedar Crest.