Cuba New Mexico that is.
Joining the Harley Owner’s Group, or HOG as they prefer to be called, on a ride to Cuba. Leave at 10:30 and lunch in Cuba around 1:00. The email I got announcing the ride had a cool write up of Cuba that I’ve quoted below. Lots of history in this state.
In Spanish, the word “Cuba” means a tank or basin or keg. It probably refers to the basin-shaped contour of the valley Cuba sits in. Cuba was originally named Laguna. The earliest settlers were attracted to a profusion of small lakes and swamps that once covered what is now downtown Cuba. The Rio Puerco River and other little streams came down out of the Nacimiento Mountains to the east and fed into the lakes and ponds. The land was as close to lush as you can get in this dry part of New Mexico.
The lakes eventually were drained by early Spanish settlers who arrived here in about 1766. The settlers were given a tract of land from the King of Spain known as the San Joaquin del Nacimiento Grant. Many little communities sprang up all along the Rio Puerco. Most of them are no longer in existence. Present day Cuba, in this location, dates from about 1879.
The mountains you see to the east of Cuba are called the Nacimientos and refers, probably, to the mountains as the birth place of all the water in the area.
Cuba has a rich, multi-cultural history! It was the home of Anasazi and Gallina Indian cultures. There is today a large Navajo population living to the west, Apaches to the north, and Zia and Jemez Pueblo Indians to the south. The history of Cuba is closely tied to the land. Sheep, goats and cattle are raised here. Gold, silver, copper, coal and fertilizer have been mined in the area. Wheat, hay, fruits and pinon are harvested.
Cuba was and is today a source of goods, services, school and health care for the surrounding communities.
Over the years, Nina and I have passed through Cuba many times, but have seldom stopped there, other than for gas. The road through Cuba is our preferred route to Ouray, one of our favorite vacation spots in the Rockies. The surrounding area is rich in history and its stark beauty is almost distracting when driving.
This trip will be a solo ride for me as Nina has decided not to join us. I will riding out there with Dennis since his bike is stored here. He has no garage where he lives so he has a storage unit here.
I’ll post pictures and a ride review when I return. Peace.