DCFS 2006

Location

DCFS 2006 will be held on the campus of New Mexico State University. Presentations are given in Science Hall room 107.

How to reach Las Cruces

BY AIR:

The most convenient way to reach Las Cruces is to fly into El Paso International Airport (ELP), Texas, airport and then take a shuttle to Las Cruces. Las Cruces is about 45 miles from the El Paso airport and the shuttle takes about 1 hour. El Paso is served by most major airlines: Delta, American, United, Continental, Southwest Airlines, America West Airlines, Frontier and TWA. The shuttle is highly recommended as the means of transportation between El Paso and Las Cruces.

Click here for airport shuttle information (schedule and cost) between El Paso airport and Las Cruces. Shuttle reservation phone number: +1-505-525-1784 (or, 800-288-1784 when calling from U.S. or Canada). The shuttle can take you to any one of the three recommended hotels (Las Cruces Hilton, Ramada Palm and Sleep Inn) without extra charge.

Also, for international guest, please email your arrival and departure schedule to Jenny L. Griffith (jenny@nmsu.edu) and Mariette Mealor (mmealor@nmsu.edu). Your schedule will be forwarded to Las Cruces Shuttle.

Taking a taxi from the El Paso airport to Las Cruces is not advised. A taxi costs anywhere from $70 to $100 EACH WAY, depending on the time of day. However, if you still wish to take a taxi, then they can be found right outside the baggage claim area of the airport. No advance reservation is required.

If you rent a car, then when you exit the airport, you'll come out on Airway blvd. going towards the Interstate highway I-10. When you see the Interstate bridge turn right at the lights just before the bridge and merge into the highway. Take I-10 West all the way to Las Cruces.

BY CAR:

Las Cruces is at the junction of two major Interstate Highways: I-25 and I-10.

If you are driving on I-10 and going West (e.g. traveling from El Paso, Texas): about 18 miles after you cross the Texas-New Mexico border, I-10W splits into I-10W and I-25N. Stay on the right lane and take I-25 North. Take the very first exit on I-25 (Exit 1, University Avenue). Go up the exit ramp and at the lights turn left.

If you are driving on I-25 and going South (e.g., travelling from Albuquerque): Take Exit 1 (University Avenue). The exit splits, follow the one to the right that says NMSU.

If you are driving on I-10 going East (e.g., driving from Arizona): Take exit 142 (Main Street). At the lights at the end of the ramp turn right. At the very next lights, turn right again. Now you are on University Avenue.

Attractions in and around Las Cruces

Las Cruces is a small desert town in southern New Mexico, close to the Texas/New Mexico border (as well as the US-Mexico border), famous for its red and green chiles, hot Mexican food, and its old western traditions. The weather is warm and sunny all year round. There are many attractions in and around Las Cruces, that you are encouraged to visit. You need a car for visiting most of these attractions. If you are a foreign national residing in the US, please carry your passport or green card with you as there are several INS checkposts around Las Cruces due to our proximity to the border. US citizens, however, do not need to carry any proof of citizenship. There are several very interesting short trips (half day to one day) that one can take:

White Sands National Monument: At the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert lies a mountain ringed valley, the Tularosa Basin. Rising from the heart of this basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert and have created the world's largest gypsum dune field. The brilliant white dunes are ever changing: growing, cresting, then slumping, but always advancing. Distance from Las Cruces: Approximately 45 miles.

Alamogordo: Twenty miles from the White Sands National Monument is the town of Alamogordo, home to the Space Hall of Fame, and the Tombaugh Omnimax Theater. Alamogordo is also the home of Holloman Airforce Base which houses the USAF stealth bombers. Distance from Las Cruces: Approximately 65 miles.

Cloudcroft : Located 15 miles from Alamogordo, Cloudcroft is a small mountain village located in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest. At 9000 feet in elevation, Cloudcroft is a year-round mountain playland. Take the scenic route in Cloudcroft to visit the Apache Point Observatory at Sunspot and the the historic Lodge (the Lodge is located next to a golf-course, which at 9000 feet, is one of the highest in the world). Distance from Las Cruces: Approx 80 miles (including 15 miles of mountainous roads).

Ruidoso: Ruidoso, NM, is nestled in the Southern Rocky Mountains. Towering above the village, Sierra Blanca reaches 12,003 feet above sea level. The mild climate is seasoned just right for outdoor activities. Attractions include camping and hiking in pristine Lincoln National Forest, horse racing, golf, tennis, and fishing, Art galleries, museums, and shops. Recommendations: Drive atop the Sierra Blanca (12,003 feet); Visit the Inn of the Mountain Gods: on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. Distance from Las Cruces: approx. 100 miles.

Las Cruces and New Mexico: Visit the nearby historic town of Mesilla and visit the courthouse where Billy the Kid was tried to be hanged. Hike the trails in nearby Organ Mountains. Las Cruces has a number of fine Mexican restaurants: For an authentic experience visit any one of the following restaurants: Si Senor, (1551 E. Amador Ave., Las Cruces), La Posta (2410 Calle De San Albino, Mesilla), and Double Eagle (308 Calle de Guadalupe, Mesilla). There are several interesting day trips that one can make. New Mexico, known as the Land of Enchantment, also has several national parks. Click here to see the list of NM State Parks. Click here to visit the NM Department of Tourism web pages.

El Paso: A city of nearly three-quarters of a million people, which sprawls across hundreds of square miles of desert and rambling foothills. The Franklin Mountains, southern tip of the Rockies, slice El Paso nearly in two. With its classic Western geography and tri-cultural history, El Paso makes an intriguing place to visit and live in. Click here to see a list of attractions. Distance from Las Cruces: 45 miles

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico: Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, just across the border from El Paso, TX, is known for its shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. Please note that you may need a visa to visit Mexico. If you are taking your car, you are advised to buy appropriate insurance as most US car insurance policies do not cover Mexico. Distance from Las Cruces: 45 miles

Gila National Forest: The Gila National Forest offers 3.3 million beautiful, rugged acres, and more wilderness than in any other national forest in the Southwest. Home to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Distance from Las Cruces: 150+ miles (includes mountainous terrain).

Carlsbad Caverns: Carlsbad Caverns National Park was established to preserve Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within a Permian-age fossil reef. The park contains 83 separate caves, including the nation's deepest limestone cave - 1,597 feet (486.8 m) deep - and third longest. Carlsbad Cavern, with one of the world's largest underground chambers and countless limestone formations (stalactites, stalagmites, etc.), is also highly accessible, with a variety of tours offered year round. Distance from Las Cruces: 180 miles. (3 hours by car; return trip from Las Cruces can be done in one day)

	White Sands National Monument: At the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert lies a mountain ringed valley, the Tularosa Basin. Rising from the heart of this basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert and have created the world's largest gypsum dune field. The brilliant white dunes are ever changing: growing, cresting, then slumping, but always advancing. Distance from Las Cruces: Approximately 45 miles.
	Alamogordo: Twenty miles from the White Sands National Monument is the town of Alamogordo, home to the Space Hall of Fame, and the Tombaugh Omnimax Theater. Alamogordo is also the home of Holloman Airforce Base which houses the USAF stealth bombers. Distance from Las Cruces: Approximately 65 miles.
	Cloudcroft : Located 15 miles from Alamogordo, Cloudcroft is a small mountain village located in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest. At 9000 feet in elevation, Cloudcroft is a year-round mountain playland. Take the scenic route in Cloudcroft to visit the Apache Point Observatory at Sunspot and the the historic Lodge (the Lodge is located next to a golf-course, which at 9000 feet, is one of the highest in the world). Distance from Las Cruces: Approx 80 miles (including 15 miles of mountainous roads).
	Ruidoso: Ruidoso, NM, is nestled in the Southern Rocky Mountains. Towering above the village, Sierra Blanca reaches 12,003 feet above sea level. The mild climate is seasoned just right for outdoor activities. Attractions include camping and hiking in pristine Lincoln National Forest, horse racing, golf, tennis, and fishing, Art galleries, museums, and shops. Recommendations: Drive atop the Sierra Blanca (12,003 feet); Visit the Inn of the Mountain Gods: on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. Distance from Las Cruces: approx. 100 miles.
	Las Cruces and New Mexico: Visit the nearby historic town of Mesilla and visit the courthouse where Billy the Kid was tried to be hanged. Hike the trails in nearby Organ Mountains. Las Cruces has a number of fine Mexican restaurants: For an authentic experience visit any one of the following restaurants: Si Senor, (1551 E. Amador Ave., Las Cruces), La Posta (2410 Calle De San Albino, Mesilla), and Double Eagle (308 Calle de Guadalupe, Mesilla). There are several interesting day trips that one can make. New Mexico, known as the Land of Enchantment, also has several national parks. Click here to see the list of NM State Parks. Click here to visit the NM Department of Tourism web pages.
	El Paso: A city of nearly three-quarters of a million people, which sprawls across hundreds of square miles of desert and rambling foothills. The Franklin Mountains, southern tip of the Rockies, slice El Paso nearly in two. With its classic Western geography and tri-cultural history, El Paso makes an intriguing place to visit and live in. Click here to see a list of attractions. Distance from Las Cruces: 45 miles
	Ciudad Juarez, Mexico: Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, just across the border from El Paso, TX, is known for its shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. Please note that you may need a visa to visit Mexico. If you are taking your car, you are advised to buy appropriate insurance as most US car insurance policies do not cover Mexico. Distance from Las Cruces: 45 miles
	Gila National Forest: The Gila National Forest offers 3.3 million beautiful, rugged acres, and more wilderness than in any other national forest in the Southwest. Home to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Distance from Las Cruces: 150+ miles (includes mountainous terrain).
	Carlsbad Caverns: Carlsbad Caverns National Park was established to preserve Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within a Permian-age fossil reef. The park contains 83 separate caves, including the nation's deepest limestone cave - 1,597 feet (486.8 m) deep - and third longest. Carlsbad Cavern, with one of the world's largest underground chambers and countless limestone formations (stalactites, stalagmites, etc.), is also highly accessible, with a variety of tours offered year round. Distance from Las Cruces: 180 miles. (3 hours by car; return trip from Las Cruces can be done in one day)