Ancient times

Ruidoso, NM  December 4 - 7, 2012

We chose Ruidoso because it is on the way to Palo Duro, TX.  I did not realize it is a ski area in the mountains.  We checked the weather and decided to risk it.  It is a very cute little town in the Sierra Blanca mountains.  We found a great RV park where we were on a creek, with woods all around and the only ones there.  The weather was beautiful, but we did have to learn how to winterize our stay.  At one point the thermostat said -3 degrees AAAAhhhhh.  We learned the next morning that the thermostat was accidentally switched to Celsius and it was really 28 degrees F.  Still cold.

We used the first day to drive to Lincoln where Billy the Kid made a name for himself.  The most authentic old west town remaining in the U.S. has many buildings from the era and is rich in history.  We learned a lot about the Lincoln County War 1878 - 1881 and we walked down the "most dangerous street in America" according to President Rutherford B Hays.

We then drove to Fort Stanton knowing that is was closed during the week, but thought we could at least take a look around the old buildings.  When we were peering through the windows into the museum a kind soul opened the door to let us know they were having their volunteer appreciation Christmas Party, but that we were more than welcome to come in.  They wouldn't take no for an answer!  The museum covered all of the different purposes of the fort.  It was first used by the military to protect settlers from the Apache Indians (1855 - 1896) then as an innovative hospital specializing in the treatment of TB patients (1899 - 1953) and also as a German internment camp during WWII (1941 - 1945).  The volunteers were so gracious and passionate about their museum it was easy to get carried away.

Before we begin this next section of our most recent adventure we have to give a Shout Out to Leslie Fairbairn.  She and my step father JT have friends in Florida who told them about this location and Mom emailed us the directions.  It wasn't even on our Radar and turned out to be one of the neatest things we have done.

We drove to the Three Rivers Petroglyphs where there are over 21,000 petroglyphs by the Jornada Mogollon Indians.  They were everywhere!  There was a great trail and we wandered around for a really long time pondering the meanings of all of the different pictures.  Often we felt like we were looking at clouds, meaning they could be whatever you wanted them to be.  For example, I think I saw a perfect depiction of a galazy, certainly the Milky Way! :0   Petroglyphs, literally means rock carvings, but this is a misconception.  The pictures were made with stone tools by removing the dark patina on the exterior of the rock.  The patina is formed through oxidation when oxygen in the air comes into contact with the minerals in the rock's surface.  Some of the pics were made by slacker Indians who simply scratched through the patina to the light inner layer of the rock.  Others were made by high achieving Indians who took their time and painstakingly "pecked" through the patina.  This was done with two rocks used like a hammer and chisel.  Over time, the exposed surfaces repatinate, making the glyphs less distinct.  We were most disappointed to learn that the dogs could not go with us on the trail because the acid in their pee reacts with the rock and could destroy the patina.  I love it when we ask a question and get a logical and real explanation.  In the car they stayed.  We have kept the Three Rivers Petroglyph Trail Guide as I'm sure all of you will want to read more upon our return.  Yeah right, the only one who is going to take us up on that is Martin Frey, he will of course have to wrestle C.P. Sterns to the ground to gain possession of the pamphlet!

One last note.... Please pray for Joe Moran as he was rushed back to the hospital and is in serious condition.  We are on our way now back to Austin to be with the kids. 

Austin Bound

Needles, CA    November 28 - 30, 2012

Our first stop on our beeline across California, Arizona and New Mexico is Needles, CA.  This is on the Colorado River near my old stomping grounds.  The Desert View RV Park was in a beautiful desert location with huge shrubs between the sites.  It was really just a place to take a break from the road and load up on supplies.  On our way out of Needles we drove by Lost Lake which is the place I used to go to on the river.  It looked a lot the same, but they have added a lot more mobile homes. 

View from Suni in Needles

Maricopa, AZ   November 30 – December 2, 2012

We stopped at the John Wayne RV resort for a two night stay in Maricopa, AZ.  When asked why the park was named for John Wayne we were told "no reason whatsoever".  The park was under renovation, but had really nice large sites and great people.  We just hung around and relaxed in the sun.  Much to our dismay this park also had a huge dairy farm down the street.  We are beginning to think it is a Passport America requirement!  At least there wasn’t a train.

                                                         Largest dairy farm in history

Deming, NM  December 2 – 4, 2012

We found the Hudson Bend of RV parks in Deming, New Mexico.  The drive in was interesting to say the least.  The directions said follow the gravel road until it dead ends at the Hidden Valley RV Park.  We drove for a while and thought we had been Chaco’d once again (lost in the desert), but rounded a mountain and there it was.  It was a great location truly hidden and surrounded by the mountainous desert terrain.  When we were checking in they told us about some random Petroglyphs that were just a short hike from the park.  So after we got all set up we hiked into the desert in search of the illusive petroglyphs.  We wandered around in the general direction we were told and low and behold we found them!  They were etched by the Membris Indians more than 1000 years ago.  Peg was so excited.  It is quite a feeling to be wandering in the desert and suddenly see something so unique and ancient.  We wonder in awe until dusk.  When we returned to the park, Shannon the owner asked if we wanted to see the old fluorite mine!  We said definitely and he offered to drive us to it the next day on his four-wheel ATV thing. 

Our second day we drove out to Rockhound State Park.  A park started by rock lovers with a great visitor center and hikes through the hills where they let you take any rocks you find.  The hike was beautiful, but a little disappointing in the specimen department.  I guess when they let you take all of the rocks you want there aren’t much left.  We then went back to the park and Shannon made good on his offer to take us to the fluorite mine.  It was a fabulous drive through the desert to the mine in the middle of nowhere!  We wanted to know what the indicator was to the miners that huge veins of fluorite could be found below the very generic looking rocks.  They blasted out 3 big rooms with dynamite and had ladders connecting the different chambers.  When Shannon put his flashlight on the walls and ceiling of the first (main) chamber it lit up like the 4^th of July.  Fluorite comes in many colors but looks like tinted quartz predominately in the purple and greens.  Both were present in this mine.  They must have taken a huge quantity out because it sure looked like a lot left.  It was so cool to see this mineral in its real habitat instead of in a sample box in an 8^th grade classroom.  They used the Fluorite to smelt different metals, making them more durable for use in WW II.  All done with horse, wagon and hand turned drill bits.  It must have been a very prosperous endeavor because it took a heck of a lot to get it out of there in the 1930’s.

 

Coming soon… Ruidoso, NM; Palo Duro Canyon and Glen Rose, TX