New Mexico 2004
The Hacienda RV Resort in Las Cruces (elevation 4,260 feet), was our base camp for exploring the Southern half of New Mexico. The resort provides Complementary Breakfast Bar, Morning Paper, Margarita Party Friday nights, and Nighttime Security. They have large laundry facilities, Hydro-Therapy Pool Spa), Exercise Room, Showers, and an Outdoor Covered Patio with fire place. Site spaces are a little close, but OK; there is a privacy fence between some of the sites. The campground is immaculate. It has been designed primarily for the transient RV'er. Snowbird extended stays are not common. Our view out the back window is very nice.
A few blocks from the RV Park, is Old Mesilla. This town is on the Register Of National Historic Landmarks and retains its characteristic South West charm. It was here in the town square on November 16, 1854 that an American Flag was raised to commemorate the signing of the fifteen million dollar Gadsden Purchase. You do remember what the Gadsden Purchase was, don't you? We saw the building where Billy the Kid was sentenced to be hung in 1881. At the Double Eagle Restaurant (neat site), also a National Historic Landmark dating back to the late 1840's, we had an excellent Mexican lunch.
We took a little day trip (315 miles round trip) to the Gila National Forest North of Silver City, NM crossing the Continental Divide before arriving at the Gila Cliffs Dwellings National Monument. Patricia made the 1 mile hike up to the Cliffs, I enjoyed her pictures! On the way back, we witnessed a beautiful desert sunset.
Crossing the San Andres Mountains, we visited the White Sands Missile Range and Museum. It was here on the 16th of July 1945 at 0530 AM that the world was changed forever; the atomic bomb was tested. Although we did not go to the actual detonation site, Trinity Site, it was an awesome feeling being so close to an event that had changed the world. The museum houses an excellent collection of area and missile range history.
The White Sands National Monument(275 square miles) is entirely surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range. About twice a week the Monument and the road leading to it are closed for about two hours due to missile testing. The white sand is actually Gypsum. Check out the White Sands National Monument site for more information on how the sand is formed. The historic visitors center was built during the depression by the WPA. We had a little picnic in the picnic area. There is a board walk extending out into the dunes that makes it easy for handicapped access. Patricia called this "snow".
The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces presented an excellent display of the 3000 year history of farming, ranching, and rural life in New Mexico. A striking sculpture greets visitors at the museum entrance. Sodbuster: San Isidro by Luis Jimenez. From the sculptures placard, "Sodbuster is made of cast fiberglass molds attached together and placed on a steel armature. Layers of airbrushed color were applied to create a glossy finish. The piece was coated with epoxy to make it weather resistant." Old farm implements and kitchens also made interesting displays as well as an old windmill.
Nestled at the foot of the Florida Mountains, in the Chihuahuan Desert, lies Rockhound State Park. The Visitors Center is reflective of much of the Southwestern Architecture that we have seen out here. This may be the only state park in the country that encourages visitors to take rocks and minerals with them when they leave- up to 15 pounds per person! We did not climb the trail looking for rocks, but we did collect a few rocks- don't have the slightest idea as to what they are though, close to our picnic site. The Park's RV Camping area has water and electric hook ups and a dump station. It is probably very quite in the evening at this camp site. Here are some creatures that did not make it on the open range, which was along the road leading to the park.
After Mass, on the 11th, at San Albino, we celebrated Patricia's Birthday at La Posta de Mesilla. From the menu," This building is the original LaPosta*. For more than two centuries, these adobe walls have withstood the attack of elements and man. They have sheltered such personalities as Billy the Kid, Kit Carson, General Douglas MacArthur, and Pancho Villa. Mesilla, a roaring frontier town of past, now sleeps, but La Posta still offers its traditional hospitality and fine food to all that wonder here. *(In Spain, for centuries past, Laspostas were Inns built for the King's rest and were stationed at intervals along important travel routes. They were also used as mail drops.)" We feasted on Sangria, Salsa and Chips, Chile Con Queso, Guacamole Salad, Folded Taco, Chile Relleno, Green Enchilada, Con Carne, Frijoles, Rice, Rolled Red Enchiladas, Tamale, Rolled Taco, and topped off with a desert of Sopaipilla and Empanda served hot with Ice Cream. The waiters sung "Happy Birthday" to Patricia when the dessert was served. All in all, a very enjoyable and memorable day.
On the 12th we drove to Ft Craig and Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, approximately 140 miles north of Las Cruces. "Fort Craig was one of the largest forts constructed in the West, and was critical to both the Indian Campaigns and the Civil War." There are only remains of some buildings now, this is the remains of an old store house. Looters and weather took its toll before the fort was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management in 1981. A volunteer host staying at the fort has significantly reduced vandalism. It must be a very peaceful life being a host here, the fort is 4.5 miles from a paved road out in the desert down a dirt road. The picnic shelters make for a very scenic picnic. We did not see any, but the rattle snake warnings were there.
We did not expect to see wetlands in the middle of New Mexico. However, the Rio Grande has created a series of managed wetlands at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. This site will provide more information on the refuge. We saw some new birds on this trip: pheasants, quails, and a road runner. There were thousands of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes. There are trails and a 12 mile audio tour (purchase CD for $2.50 at visitor center) that was very informative. The Visitor's Center had many displays and a nice gift shop with a wide selection of bird books. Chiles are every where in New Mexico, the Visitors Center is no exception.
On the 17th, hot air balloons from the 11th Annual Wells Fargo Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally passed over the RV resort. We had a real treat seeing the balloons in all their beautiful colors. There were a few afternoon flights, but their flight path was a little different than the morning flights. The balloons also flew on the 18th. One landed across the street from us to discharge and pick up passengers. It came awfully close to the Class C in front of us. But fortunately, the pilot made a perfect landing of his balloon on the street.
On the 19th we head West to Arizona for a thirty day stay.
