Thinking Local First

We have nothing against people or companies that are not lucky enough to live in the beautiful Southwest. We just try to work with local or regional suppliers so that we can have a larger, positive effect on the local community instead of being lost in nationwide numbers. Plus, working locally creates lasting friendships that make life more enjoyable.

On nationwide scale, we truly believe that small businesses in America are vital to its existence. While out-sourcing to low cost labor in Asia is what many businesses seem to love today, there is a counter-culture brewing in America. Small business are filling voids and offering customized items and services that are not possible from importers. And it is faster, better quality and improves the U.S. economy. We are proud to be a small business and will continue to purchase from American small businesses.

Helping those that need it

Donating our time and money to local charities allows us to see our efforts at work first hand. We have donated time and products to All Faiths Receiving Home which helps children in difficult situations. We have also donated to Keshet Dance Company to help with at-risk kids. We also participate in the annual Albuquerque Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. We feel it is critical to show our support for this important cause and also walk in remembrance of a dear friend we lost to breast cancer at only 41 years of age.

Dapwood is also out helping clean our environment. Our favorite community events bring together local governments, neighborhood associations and outdoor equipment stores. It’s often a long dirty day of work but it is very rewarding seeing an area cleaned and improved.

If you are aware of a worthy charity or community event in New Mexico, please contact us and we will see if we can help.

Off the beaten path

Below are some links to people, places and things that we believe are interesting and/or worthwhile. Most of the locations are off the beaten path so be prepared.

Small, local Albuquerque Businesses we support

Arrowhawk Industries If it’s made of fabric, Leslie can make it!
Harwood Art Center Great community art center
Norman Johnson Photography Great guy, great work
Butler and Company, CPA Keeps the tax man happy
Vista Encantada Home of the nicest (and best) Realtors in Albuquerque
Woodworker’s Supply A woodworker’s toy store

Albuquerque “Watering Holes” we frequent

Il Vicino Canteen Great brewery with patio only a stones throw to our North
La Cumbre Brewing More great beer only a stones throw to our East
Marble Brewery Tasty brew a short bike ride to our South
Flying Star Caffeine paired with wonderful food and desert
Satellite Coffee More good coffee with a refined atmosphere

Very worth-while charities we support

The Ranches
All Faiths Receiving Home
East Central Ministries
Keshet Dance Company
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Lesser known New Mexico places of interest

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Great fun for the whole family
Bandalier National Monument Learn about ancestral Puebloan culture
Bosque de Apache National Wildlife Refuge A mecca for birds and those that watch them
Chaco Canyon Provides a wonderful peak into the ancestral Puebloan past
El Malpais National Monument Lave tube caves now closed but still beautiful area
El Morro National Monument Historic and pre-historic inscriptions
El Santuario de Chimayo Destination for cross carrying pilgrims at Easter
Gila Wilderness Beautiful scenery
Pajarito Ski Mountain Best kept ski secret in New Mexico
Pecos Wilderness Only 2 hours from Abq but 30 degrees cooler
Petroglyph National Park Wonderful ancestral Puebloan works of art
Rio Chama River A favorite for Dapwood company trips
Sandia Man Cave Good rock climbing and cave is tight
Santa Fe Opera Tailgating before the show is a must
Santa Fe Ski area Mountain with a little of everything
Sipapu Ski area Fun family-friendly mountain
Sitting Bull Falls Water in the middle of a high desert. Quiet. Refreshing.
Sky City Acoma Pueblo built high on a bluff still inhabited today
Taos Pueblo Continuously inhabited for over 1000 years
Taos Ski Valley Steep and fun
Tent Rocks Other worldly rock formations
Very Large Array (VLA) Great experience walking around huge dishes pointed to the heavens
White Sands National Park Ever want to ski on sand?

Lesser known Rocky Mountain places of interest

Buckskin Gulch Great overnight hike in slot canyons
Canyon de Chelly Beautiful and remote canyon
Guadalupe Mountains Rugged and remote. One of the last places to be mapped in the lower 48- for good reason!
Meteor Crater Interesting stop if traveling along I-40 in northern Arizona
Wolf Creek Not as well know as other Colorado resorts but plenty big and challenging
White Mountains/Big Lake Popular with fisherman but also very pretty. Note:The 500,000+ acre Wallow Fire in June 2011 has dramatically changed the landscape.