Day Eleven

It was very windy last night in the mountains, but things were cozy in our B&B.














I used this little room for writing. I didn't take a picture of the room we slept in, but it was much bigger.


I woke up early and went for a run in the mountains.











One of the dogs went with me.











These old buildings appear to be from the original settlement of the area during the mining heyday of the late 1800s.











It was a beautiful morning, with some great views.











The pics I took don't do some of these curves justice.

I went back to the B&B where our host made eggs and waffles for us. He turned out to be a musician and Dan was disappointed we had to leave because they were having so much fun talking music.

We headed south, stopping at a scenic overlook before continuing on toward the Gila Cliff Dwellings.











Nice scenery on the drive, but the road was narrow and if you didn't go slow and make your turn, you'd end up falling a very long way.

The cliff dwelling site was pretty cool.











The Gila River, which was running low.











The cliffs, which are pretty high up!











Hard to imagine people lived up so high.











At least there are stairs now available. You can bet the natives didn't have these!











Approaching the caves.











People made their homes inside the caves.











I love this view, even though I couldn't get it without a tourist in it.











Leaving the caves.











Nice trail!











Winding through the woods, back to the visitor center.











A dry riverbed. There hasn't been much rain this year.

We tried to go for a hike afterwards, but the river was over the trail, and since it was late in the afternoon and the cliff dwellings were two hours from any nearby town, we decided to head back.











Dry conditions heading toward Silver City, even though we were in the mountains.











A mountain campsite. We were tempted, but kept on toward Silver City. We felt pretty good when we reached Silver City, so we continued to the City of Rocks, one of our favorite places.











City of Rocks in the distance. It sits on a plain in the middle of nowhere.











A cactus in bloom outside the visitor center.











Closeup of the cactus.











Rocks everywhere you look!











In the distance, one of many balanced rocks.











A smaller formation.











Such interesting shapes!











A few small trees grow here.











A new friend.











So many rocks, so little time!


Then since we didn’t want to backtrack, we continued south to Deming, then west to Las Cruces.











Hard to believe we were in the mountains this morning!

In Las Cruces, we stopped at three hotels before finding one with vacancy, although no one could explain what was going on in town to make it so hard to find a decent hotel. We like where we ended up, though—it’s got a kitchenette. Too bad we’re leaving in the morning. We haven’t decided where we’re going next, but we’re considering one of the Texas parks or El Paso, where I have a cousin.

Day Ten

I got up at 7:00 and went for a run around the area. This time instead of staying by the river, I went back into one of the neighborhoods. I encountered a couple of monster hills, but since I was going to be in the car all day, I told myself it didn’t matter. This might be the only exercise I get all day!

When I got back to the hotel, I took a soak in the mineral waters and spent some time in the steam room. Then it was time to shower, pack, and after some coffee at a coffee shop by the river, we headed south. Our plan was to get into the Black Range by evening. I had wanted to stay at the Black Range Lodge in Kingston for years, so we figured we’d start in that direction and see how things worked out.











We stopped in Chromo to get a picture of an old school that had caught my eye on the drive up.











Ridiculously pretty skies! Too bad I got a part of the car window in this one.


And we stopped for a picnic lunch at Echo Amphitheater—a natural stone formation that is part of the New Mexico state parks system.











The cliff overlooking the amphitheater.











The amphitheater.











Nice spot for a picnic.











Looking up from inside the stone amphitheater. Speak or clap and you'll get a perfect echo!











Trees can grow anywhere!











It was quite a contrast to get back to the desert after a couple days where everything was so green. We hit temps as high as 100, but I far prefer 100 here in the desert to 85 or 90 back home where it’s so humid your clothes stick to your body.











A key to long car trips is to pack appropriate road food!











A mural on a desert water tower.











We got within sight of the Black Range by 5:00, which was perfect. I had been concerned that we might have to drive through the mountains, which can be pretty scary and dangerous. But all was well, I called and got us a room at The Black Range Lodge, and as I had hoped, we had our pick of rooms in this big old rambling place. It's busier on weekends and in high season, but Monday night is perfect if you want to have the place to yourself.











A building in Kingston, Black Range.











One of our hosts.











So we’re settled in for the night in a cool old B&B in the mountains, and tomorrow we’ll knock around the area a bit and perhaps camp at City of the Rocks, if it’s not too windy.

Day Eight

I’m writing tonight from my new favorite town— Pagosa Springs, Colorado!

How’d we end up here? Glad you asked! This morning I was pondering our dilemma—I wanted to leave but it was too soon to head south and it was going to be too hot to camp. Then I remembered we’d never been to the northern part of New Mexico. We looked at the map and called up some sites on my father’s slow dialup connection, one thing led to another and we decided we wanted to go to Pagosa Springs. It’s near wildlife refuges, near Indian ruins, and it’s got mineral waters, so what wasn’t to like?

The trip out started uneventfully enough, and I didn't bother with pictures. But once we got north of Espanola, things just got better and better.











These red cliffs were incredible to see.











They were just amazing!











Kind of like a layer cake.











One wonders just what is in these layers of sediment piled up over the ages.











Going into the valley.











Little town with mountains in the distance.












Still a lot of snow at the higher elevations.











They got snow in northern New Mexico as recently as a few weeks ago!











Such cute little towns!











And the valleys are nice to look at, too.











The cows seem to enjoy the vistas, too.











Almost like a postcard!











This mountain appears to be missing a piece.

My pictures don’t do the scenery justice. It was just absurdly beautiful, like there ought to be a law or something.

We got to Pagosa Springs around 5:00 and got checked into our hotel. It’s an okay hotel, but we’ve got a room at one of the less expensive spas booked for tomorrow. That didn’t stop Dan from soaking in the mineral waters while I got a massage, though.

But first, we went for a walk.












Pagosa Springs has a little riverwalk.











Nice views on the riverwalk.











Opportunities to make friends abound.











And you can even contemplate art.

After the spa, we had dinner at a nice place that serves up some tasty Mediterranean-style dishes and a deadly baklava for dessert. Luckily my baklava was much smaller than Dan’s. That’s why I ate it so quickly. Or at least that’s the story I’m sticking with!

The plan for tomorrow is to go back to the spa in the morning where I’ll go for a run while Dan hangs out and waits. Then we’ll both soak in the mineral waters before going back to our hotel and packing. We’ll visit the Chimney Rock Indian ruins, then check into our spa motel after and I’ll maybe get another massage or some other type of treatment like an herbal wrap or salt rub. Then more soaking, dinner, and we’ll be all set to head back south on Monday.