It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Los Alamos History Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Los Alamos, NM is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I have been with Always Best Care for almost 5 yrs. This is an amazing company.”
“Great place to work! Very friendly people and excellent work environment.”
“Always best care is an extremely fast-growing company and a wonderful place to work! The”
“Awesome place to work, friendly staff. Caregivers are the heart of the agency. Our clients”
“This is a fantastic company of compassionate and hard working people who genuinely care about”
“Always best care is an extremely fast-growing company and a wonderful place to work! The”
“The service that my mom has received has been a total blessing. The”
“Great company to work for. Love the staff”
“Darlene, Sara, Annalee, and Sam have been so awesome ! My live in Mother is”
“I have been working for Always Best Care for 4 1/2 years and that should”
“I love working for this company! They are one of the best when it comes”
“Working for an in home health care agency committed to providing the best care possible”
“Amazing place to work for. Highly recommend. Flexible schedule foe caregivers and amazing supportive staff.”
“I have been working for this company 7 years and in all my time with”
“I've been with Always Best Care, Vacaville, about a year and a half and I”
“Here's what I posted on Google and Facebook: Life would have been a lot harder”
“ABC is absolutely amazing! The staff is very caring and very friendly. always go above”
“Always Best Care is the best! Darlene and her team are exceptional and provide”
“Kathy McClure is a problem solver. She assisted us on Long Term Care Reimbursement and”
“I was very satisfied with the professional care Always Best care provided to my father.”
“Nate and Charlene are the best in their field. It has been a pleasure getting”
“Dave and his staff go above and beyond with their care. They all take special”
“I have been with Always Best Care for almost 5 yrs. This is an amazing company. We not only care about our clients but the company also takes care of their employees.”
“Great place to work! Very friendly people and excellent work environment.”
“Always best care is an extremely fast-growing company and a wonderful place to work! The CEO truly cares about each individual, welcomes creativity, and leads by example. The culture at Always best care is the best I've ever worked for and everyone is authentic and loves what they do. Training processes are great and really help people to feel comfortable in each position. The Supervisors are always willing to help and will take time out of their day to dedicate to helping you if needed.”
“Awesome place to work, friendly staff. Caregivers are the heart of the agency. Our clients really appreciate us.”
“This is a fantastic company of compassionate and hard working people who genuinely care about making a difference in people’s lives. They go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the best quality care to people in the community.”
“Always best care is an extremely fast-growing company and a wonderful place to work! The CEO truly cares about each individual, welcomes creativity, and leads by example. The culture at Always best care is the best I've ever worked for and everyone is authentic and loves what they do. Training processes are great and really help people to feel comfortable in each position. The Supervisors are always willing to help and will take time out of their day to dedicate to helping you if needed.”
“The service that my mom has received has been a total blessing. The team at Always Best Care Albuquerque has done an amazing job getting my mom the care and attention that she has needed ever since she was discharged from the hospital. My mom had been treated with kindness, care and respect. Highly recommend”
“Great company to work for. Love the staff”
“Darlene, Sara, Annalee, and Sam have been so awesome ! My live in Mother is 92 years old and if left alone, she would blowup the microwave oven, burn something on the stove top, or toaster oven, let the 3 dogs out 25 times, and feed them snacks they should not have. I work, and with the daily care from Always Best Care, I don't worry over my mother's antics while I'm not home. My wife and I are cyclists and tennis players, and we workout at the gym also. When we have days off from work, we can enjoy hours of endurance training knowing my Mom is receiving comfort, company and care. Thank you Always Best Care ! We love you.”
“I have been working for Always Best Care for 4 1/2 years and that should say it all, but I will elaborate. The company makes sure you are part of a team. The pay is good, and the hours are good. There is an open door policy to make sure the caregivers experience is enhanced by strong support. If your are looking to work with a team that has your best interest and that of client in mind then then don’t hesitate to consider Always Best Care.”
“I love working for this company! They are one of the best when it comes too making sure their staff has the support and essentials that are needed for work. Communication is amazing. I can honestly say this is byfar my favorite company I have worked for.”
“Working for an in home health care agency committed to providing the best care possible to clients in need, is extremely rewarding work.”
“Amazing place to work for. Highly recommend. Flexible schedule foe caregivers and amazing supportive staff.”
“I have been working for this company 7 years and in all my time with this company I have been blown away at how much they support the caregivers and there ability to hold the caregivers needs and concerns as high as there clients is why I have been an employee of this company for so long. The owner has truly created an environment that puts the focus of care for the client's and work continuity for the caregiver as her highest priority and this is why I have been truly blessed to be employed with this company.”
“I've been with Always Best Care, Vacaville, about a year and a half and I am very pleased with the service. Their Caregivers are very kind and competent helpers. I would recommend this service to anyone and I have recommend this service to several of my friends.”
“Here's what I posted on Google and Facebook: Life would have been a lot harder without Always Best Care in my life, I have COPD and I am on oxygen full time at level 4 so doing daily chores are out question without my caregiver Ricci Anthony who has been taking tremendous care of me for 3 years this August 2022 and I thank God everyday for him. Every time he arrives he immediately says Hi checks in with me to see how I am doing. As well as, every time he departs I thank him for all that he does for me and I tell him I love him Ricci replies in same likeness. Ricci and I are incredible friends, it’s closer to a dad and son relationship. We’re both strong Christian me. As for Chelsea who does Intake and is the Schedules for Always Best Care equally an amazing individual. Don’t let her young age fool you on the contrary she is a powerhouse. She’s highly a professional, she’s industrious, highly intelligent, she’s a great friend and you can always depend on her to be in support for you. Always Best Care is always best care.”
“ABC is absolutely amazing! The staff is very caring and very friendly. always go above and beyond. They have great communication between Clients and Staff.”
“Always Best Care is the best! Darlene and her team are exceptional and provide excellent service to their clients. I thoroughly enjoy working with them. Call them today for all your home care needs!”
“Kathy McClure is a problem solver. She assisted us on Long Term Care Reimbursement and took us thru the process smoothly.”
“I was very satisfied with the professional care Always Best care provided to my father. Our caregiver was fantastic to work with and always easy to reach when I had any questions. Always Best Care and their staff showed so much care and compassion towards my father, I always knew they were taking excellent care of them. I would highly recommend them to any family.”
“Nate and Charlene are the best in their field. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and your company.”
“Dave and his staff go above and beyond with their care. They all take special interest with their clients. Also a very helpful resource in future planning and current ideas. Trust your parents to these people - they will not let you down.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Bandelier National Monument with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Blue Window Bistro or visit Alcove House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Los Alamos, NM, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Los Alamos, NM understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Los Alamos, NM 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
PED NEWS RELEASENew Mexico is moving forward with a first-of-its-kind Literacy Center in Albuquerque, and the Public Education Department is seeking partners to help design and launch the state-funded hub aimed at boosting reading skills for New Mexicans of all ages.“Our goal is simple: to make New Mexico a place where every child and adult can read at or above grade level,” said Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla. “The Literacy Center will be a hub of innovation and support, and we’re eager t...
PED NEWS RELEASE
New Mexico is moving forward with a first-of-its-kind Literacy Center in Albuquerque, and the Public Education Department is seeking partners to help design and launch the state-funded hub aimed at boosting reading skills for New Mexicans of all ages.
“Our goal is simple: to make New Mexico a place where every child and adult can read at or above grade level,” said Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla. “The Literacy Center will be a hub of innovation and support, and we’re eager to work with a partner who can help bring this vision to life.”
The center will serve as the statewide anchor for structured literacy programs rooted in the science of reading, offering year-round opportunities such as after-school, evening and weekend instruction. It will also provide professional development and training for educators and tutors to strengthen literacy instruction across New Mexico.
“The New Mexico Literacy Center will be a cornerstone for student success, giving students the tools to become strong readers while supporting the educators and tutors who guide them,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez.
The New Mexico Public Education Department is asking interested people and organizations to share ideas for designing and running programs at the new Literacy Center. The responses will help shape a future proposal process and guide the department on best practices and tools to make the center as effective as possible.
Applicants must demonstrate expertise in statewide education programming, a track record of implementing structured literacy instruction, and experience working with state education agencies. Responses are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 10, 2025.
More information and submission guidelines for the Request for Information (RFI) are available by visiting https://web.ped.nm.gov/rfps-rfis-rfas.
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. – Emergency response teams from across the country faced off in the annual hazmat challenge. It’s all about keeping their skills sharp.“Hazmat teams from around the nation encounter so many different scenarios and hazards that they very rarely get to see this many scenarios in one place,” said Chris Rittner, an emergency response group leader.From wrecked cars, planes and rail cars, it can all be found at the Los Alamos National Lab Emergency Response Center.“The reason we d...
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. – Emergency response teams from across the country faced off in the annual hazmat challenge. It’s all about keeping their skills sharp.
“Hazmat teams from around the nation encounter so many different scenarios and hazards that they very rarely get to see this many scenarios in one place,” said Chris Rittner, an emergency response group leader.
From wrecked cars, planes and rail cars, it can all be found at the Los Alamos National Lab Emergency Response Center.
“The reason we do these challenges is there’s a requirement for teams to maintain their training and competency,” said Rittner.
The training event and competition draws in hazmat teams from New Mexico, and other states. This year, City of Santa Fe firefighters faced off against Los Alamos County firefighters, the LANL Hazmat Team and the Utah Army National Guard Civil Support Team.
“This started 29 years ago by local teams from Española, Los Alamos, and Gallup getting together to share the training and making a competition out of it,” said Rittner.
From there it grew into a week’s worth of competition and challenges designed to prepare hazmat teams for anything they could face.
“Most of these are taken from real world events. And they can be as simple as a motor vehicle accident, leaking gasoline, all the way up to an aircraft crash, to a bioterrorism event, or even clandestine drug laboratories,” Rittner said.
Officials say competing to see which hazmat team is the best takes this training to the next level.
“They get to build networking, build camaraderie, and get their training requirements and trophies at the same time,” said Rittner.
The 2025 New Mexico high school football season continues with a non-conference matchup as the Los Alamos Hilltoppers host the Taos Tigers on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Los Alamos looks to stay unbeaten after an impressive season-opening victory, while Taos aims to bounce back from a tough loss in their first game.The Tigers opened the 2025 season with a loss and will try to regroup on the road against a strong Hilltoppers squad. Ranked #43 in New Mexico and #7 in their class, Taos will need to find offensive rhythm to cha...
The 2025 New Mexico high school football season continues with a non-conference matchup as the Los Alamos Hilltoppers host the Taos Tigers on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Los Alamos looks to stay unbeaten after an impressive season-opening victory, while Taos aims to bounce back from a tough loss in their first game.
The Tigers opened the 2025 season with a loss and will try to regroup on the road against a strong Hilltoppers squad. Ranked #43 in New Mexico and #7 in their class, Taos will need to find offensive rhythm to challenge Los Alamos.
The Hilltoppers enter Week 2 with confidence after a dominant 54-6 road win to open the season. Ranked #38 in New Mexico and #8 in their class, Los Alamos will look to maintain momentum and take advantage of their first home game.
| Team | National Rank | State Rank | Class Rank | Record | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos Tigers | 10,838 | 43 (NM) | 7 | 0-1 | 0 | 26 |
| Los Alamos Hilltoppers | 9,905 | 38 (NM) | 8 | 1-0 | 54 | 6 |
Los Alamos author Kevin Holsapple with his new book, ‘Beer Hiking Southern Rockies: 54 Hikes and Microbreweries in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah’. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.comKevin and wife Kris on a Colorado beer hike. Courtesy photoBY MAIRE O’[email protected] Alamos is home to Kevin Holsapple, a travel writer, blogger, and certified travel advisor who has recently co-authored a new book, “Beer Hiking Southern Rockies: 54 Hikes ...
Los Alamos author Kevin Holsapple with his new book, ‘Beer Hiking Southern Rockies: 54 Hikes and Microbreweries in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah’. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Kevin and wife Kris on a Colorado beer hike. Courtesy photo
BY MAIRE O’[email protected]
Los Alamos is home to Kevin Holsapple, a travel writer, blogger, and certified travel advisor who has recently co-authored a new book, “Beer Hiking Southern Rockies: 54 Hikes and Microbreweries in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah”. The book is one of a 14-book series from Swiss publisher Helvetiq designed to combine two popular loves of many people throughout the world: hiking and beer..
Holsapple took up travel writing about 12 years ago after retiring from a career in a variety of business and community roles. This included destination tourism management, community development work, advising small businesses, operating recreational tours, and even running a beer hall. His blog, Prime Passages, is a curated collection of articles, stories, reviews, opinions, and links to resources that aim to inspire individuals who are lovers of beer, hiking, and travel. The blog focuses on distinctive, authentic experiences with places, people, food, drink, and subtle adventure. Readers can subscribe to receive notices when new stories are posted. The blog is ad-free and non-commercial.
“If a reader is inspired by one of my stories to make up their own adventure, that feels like success,” Holsapple said.
The new book, “Beer Hiking Southern Rockies,” released on August 12, features 54 different hikes and breweries in the four corners states of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. Each chapter pairs a hike with a local brewery and provides details about the hike, the community, the brewery, and its beers. Holsapple wrote the chapters for New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah, while co-author Yitka Winn wrote the chapters for Colorado.
Publisher Richard Harvell of Helvetiq says that he was looking for someone to write about New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah, so he Googled “Beer Hiking writers” and Kevin and Prime Passges were all over the search results.
“I contacted Kevin and we agreed to do a test chapter, which is the one about Los Alamos and Bathtub Row Brewery, said Harvell. “I immediately saw that Kevin is the perfect Beer Hiking author. His love of the outdoors and deep knowledge about the Southwest get readers excited about the hikes. But it’s his respect for the craft of brewing that made him a real joy to work with.”
Holsapple’s personal “beery journey” began in the mid-1970s while serving in the army in the Franconia region of Bavaria, where he was exposed to a wide variety of artisanal beers. “My buddies and I would strike out in a new direction on Fridays after work, hiking the countryside, exploring villages along the way, and trying out the local beers. Wherever we made it to on Sunday afternoon, we would climb onto a train and make our way back to our kaserne ,” says Holsapple. “I guess that was the start of my love for the niche experience of beer hiking.”
For Holsapple, beer hiking is about more than just exercise; it’s about adding another layer of sensory and cultural experience to a hike, whether it’s enjoying a beer after the hike, carrying one to a beautiful spot, meeting other beer lovers along the way, or planning a route that includes breweries or interesting beer-drinking venues. He has developed his own approach to planning his beer hikes through online research, the use of mapping tools, tapping his extensive network of beer lovers worldwide, and making local contacts with breweries and tourism organizations. Since finishing the book, he has completed research trips to Munich, Cyprus, and Bhutan for more beer culture and hiking stories.
“I have dozens of stories in my writing queue and the recent trips piled even on even more,” he said,
As a travel advisor, Kevin specializes in helping people put together one-of-a-kind beer-themed adventures, often involving beer hiking. He is affiliated with online travel agency FORA (https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/kevin-holsapple).
“The travel advisory is a side gig for me. At this point in life, I am more interested in sharing my experiences to help people craft a great beery adventure more than I am in the travel agency business,” said Holsapple. “I think there is a real potential for small breweries to offer interesting beer travel to small groups of their interested customers. It could be a way to build customer loyalty and camaraderie and have a lot of fun in the process.”
Holsapple says that there are no strict rules for beer hiking beyond being safe and having fun, noting that “beer always tastes better to me after a nice hike”.
Kevin is collaborating on a book launch event with Bathtub Row Brewing to be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the brewery. Tentatively, Kevin will be there in the beer garden at 9 a.m. with map handouts showing the many beer hikes you can make, starting and ending at the brewery. You can use the map to design your own hike for the morning, or accompany Kevin on an easy beer hike that will start at 10:30 a.m. and return to the brewery by noon. He will help you pick a hike that is the right distance and difficulty for you. There is no charge for the maps or the hike. Books and beers will be available for sale at the brewery beginning around noon. Kevin will be available to chat and sign books for anyone who wants that until about 2 p.m. A drawing will be held for prizes, including a Beer Hiker’s Kit and Beer Hiking Journals. Watch the Los Alamos Reporter for updates as details firm up for the event.
Kevin will also present a travelogue featuring beer hiking adventures from around the world, including many featured in the book, at Travelbug in Santa Fe on Saturday, Oct. 18, beginning at 5 p.m. Get there early for a seat. A drawing will be held after the travelogue for prizes, including a Beer Hiker’s Kit and Beer Hiking Journals. Travelbug has its own nano-brewery, so you can enjoy their beers during the event. Books will be available for sale, and Kevin will stick around to chat and sign books for those who want that.
The book is also available on Amazon and other book outlets.
Kevin is also the creator of the Beer Hiker’s Journal, a print-on-demand book available from Amazon. “I developed this one to use for my own adventures, so I thought it would be fun to formalize it and offer it to others.” Journal pages prompt users to record information about hikes and beers, and each journal page features a chalkboard image with snippets of beer-hiking wisdom Kevin gathered on his travels. Reference tables are included to help with finding just the right words to describe the beers they try.
Editor’s note: The Los Alamos Reporter spent 1978-1983 in Bavaria, close to where Holsapple lived in the 1970’s and also enjoyed the German beer hiking experience around Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Kevin and wife Kris navigate Fat Man Pass. Courtesy photo
Kevin and Kris Holsapple on a beer hike in Vermont. Courtesy photo
Blog Department of Energy Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office legacy cleanup contractor at the Los Alamos National Laboratory completed its 200th shipment of transuranic waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant for safe disposal. August 19, 2025LOS ALAMOS, N.M. — The U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office (EM-LA) legacy cleanup contractor at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) completed its 200th shipment of transuranic waste to the Waste Isolation Pi...
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Department of Energy Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office legacy cleanup contractor at the Los Alamos National Laboratory completed its 200th shipment of transuranic waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant for safe disposal. August 19, 2025
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. — The U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office (EM-LA) legacy cleanup contractor at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) completed its 200th shipment of transuranic waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) for safe disposal earlier this month.
The 200th shipment consisted of three standard waste boxes containing segments of corrugated metal pipes (CMPs) formerly buried at Area G in LANL’s Technical Area 54. The CMPs contained cemented radioactive liquid waste from a former LANL radioactive liquid waste treatment facility that operated during the Cold War era. In 2024, Newport News Nuclear BWXT-Los Alamos LLC (N3B) completed work to retrieve and size-reduce the set of 158 CMPs, and began shipping them to WIPP earlier this summer.
“Reducing the inventory of transuranic waste here at LANL is one of the most visible aspects of our entire legacy cleanup mission and an important priority for the pueblos and stakeholders of northern New Mexico,” EM-LA Manager Jessica Kunkle said. “I want to congratulate all those at N3B who played a role in reaching this milestone. We still have more work ahead of us, and our focus remains on safely reducing the remaining inventory of legacy waste.”
EM-LA and N3B manage transuranic waste produced during LANL’s legacy nuclear weapons research and production operations. That waste consists of materials such as protective clothing, tools, equipment, soil and debris contaminated with elements heavier than uranium, including plutonium or americium.
Since beginning shipments in October 2018, N3B has sent more than 665 cubic meters of transuranic waste — or about 3,194 55-gallon drums — from Technical Area 54 to WIPP.
“Our 200th transuranic waste shipment represents tangible progress in one of the core areas of our work at LANL,” N3B President and General Manager Brad Smith said. “I’m proud of all those at N3B who played a role in getting us to this point. There’s more to be done, and the N3B workforce’s ongoing emphasis on safety and operational excellence will continue to be critical as we work to address the remaining legacy waste at LANL.”
-Contributor: Michael Nartker
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