It’s time for another Tinstreamer Anatomy of Mountain Town Series, where we meet folks living the dream at elevation. Ruidoso, New Mexico is the village, and my first guest is  Larry Cordova, the lead wildlife biologist for the Smokey Bear Ranger District in the Lincoln National Forest. (After 42 years of service, Larry is now retired from the Forest Service.)

This is the first of four episodes I recorded while bikepacking with the Texas Tech University Adventure Media class along the Billy The Kid and Smokey Bear route outside of Ruidoso. In this first conversation, Larry highlights the diverse ecosystem along our bikepacking route. He knows the flora and fauna with the expertise of a biologist and the passion of a poet. Listening to Larry describe the land and the creatures and plants that inhabit it, felt like having a great author break down a novel we were all about to live.

Larry tells me what he loves about life in Ruidoso, and his favorite places for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And in a Tinstreamer exclusive, Larry gives the scoop on Bigfoot! Real or fake?

Episodes:

Trail builder and EcoServants founder, Stephen Carter

Community Leader and Co-Owner of Happy Hiker, Amanda Foster

Round Table with Texas Tech Students from the Ruidoso Adventure Media trip

The Anatomy of a Mountain series is ongoing. I’ll never scratch the surface of all the unique folks that enrich the towns you love to visit. Salida and Ruidoso, we’ll be back.