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.
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