Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
I was reminded Monday about how nice it is to go back home, and see the people of the community interested in current events.
The Quay County Commission had their regular meeting in the gym kitchen of the community center at Nara Visa.
Now, some of you may be scratching your head and wondering just where on earth Nara Visa is.
I assure you that it is a township in the state of New Mexico, though it happens to be the one, if not the only, town to operate on central time.
Nara Visa, like many other towns in the southwest, had a booming beginning; in fact, I have been told and have seen pictures of the town with two saloons, banks and even hotels.
The town suffered a tragic fire, not once but twice, at which point I believe settlers decided to move on. I'm not to sure about the history.
Growing up, the town got by with the trucking traffic from U.S. Highway 54, so much so there were two gas stations in town. One even had a diner in it run by a certain journalist's father.
To this day I still have people talk to me about my father's pies, bread, salsa, roast beef and pretty much the rest of the menu.
Though as the trucking routes shifted to Interstate 40 and children grew up, as we all know happens despite parent's wishes, the town slowly dwindled to what it is now.
Even though the only things operating are port of entry, post office, Western Stars Motel, several farmers and ranchers still live in Nara Visa.
The town still has a heartbeat and the residents remain and most likely will continue to do so until the good Lord calls them home.
I thought we might have two or three residents show up for the meeting, which is the normal amount we have in Tucumcari, unless there is an ordinance or zoning issue.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to see nine residents show up for the meeting, which had no agenda items pertaining to them or the town.
They prepared coffee and baked goods, welcomed the county staff and even sat through the meeting in its entirety. Even when the commissioners went in to executive session they stuck around speaking with the county personnel, who also remained.
After the meeting was adjourned I said my good-byes, walked towards the door, then looked back feeling a sense of pride.
It may be small and the cows in the fields may possibly outnumber the residents, though I will always be proud to say, "I grew up in Nara Visa."
Thomas Garcia is a senior writer for the Quay County Sun. He can be reached at [email protected]