Rio Grande River, Las Cruces, NM

The Rio Grande River flows thru Las Cruces, NM. Although the river is not very deep at this point it still contains a good amount of water. You could walk across the river but I am not sure how solid the river bed would be.

The mountains that surround the Tularosa Basin are some of the most rugged that we have seen. They are truly beautiful mountains.

Alamogorda, New Mexico.

The Winesette Family from Virginia went west in the early 1900's and settled in Alamogorda, NM.

We understand that they built one of the first three story houses in Alamogorda. Driving thru the oldest part of the city we found this example.

The porch around the main house has been enclosed based on an earlier picture I saw in the local history museum.

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

The White Sands National Monument lies 15 miles (26 KM) southwest of Alamogordo, New Mexico. The White Sands Missile Range completely surrounds the park. This area is the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert and lies in the Tularosa Basin. The white gypsum sand now covers 275 square miles (443 Sq. KM).

Patriot Missile

The Patriot Missile is the one that we heard so much about during the first Iraq war. This is the missile that was able to intercept the SCUD rockets that the Iraqis were using at that time.

White Sands Missile Park

The White Sands Missile Park includes examples of most of the rockets and missiles tested here since 1945. Below are just a few of the rockets and missiles on display.

White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico

At the end of World War II, the White Sands Proving Ground was established to test the emerging rocket technology. Known today as the White Sands Missile Range, more than 42,000 missile and rocket firings have been conducted. Missiles and rockets for the Army, Navy, Air Force and NASA are all tested here.

Another Day Draws to a Close

So another day comes to an end. But that day would not be complete without a glorious sun set. It must be the Lord's way of telling us "Good night and pleasant dreams!"

Ladder Ranch, New Mexico

Arthur Cox took us out to see the local sights which included the Ladder Ranch. The Ladder Ranch is owned by Ted Turner of Turner Broadcasting and it is where Turner maintains a herd of buffalo. The ranch is estimated to be more than 256,000 acres.

We reached the area just after the sun had set and so we were able to photograph the silhouette of the ranch sign.

Arthur and Fay Cox, New Mexico

It is hard to stay away from home even when you are traveling. We stopped in Cabello, NM to visit with Arthur and Fay Cox and received an invitation to stay for dinner. Arthur had been out prospecting on his gold claim all day and arrived at the same time we did. Everyone knows that Fay is an excellent cook and in no time she whipped up a good-ole' fashion homemade dinner of country ham, fresh baked biscuits, ham gravy, apple sauce and apple butter. This apple butter was something special. It had been canned by the Mt. Vale Church in Galax and the Coxes carried it with them to New Mexico. A taste of home away from home.

We had a pleasant visit learning about Arthur's gold mine claim that he works on a regular basis and Fay's painting lessons. They even showed us the local sights at Ladder Ranch, the sun set and we met some of their local friends.

Guadalupe Mountains, NM

This morning we departed the campground at Carlsbad, NM and headed for Las Cruces, NM. We traveled the southern route that took us back thru Texas towards El Paso and then north back into New Mexico. One of the first things we saw along the route were the Guadalupe Mountains. There was a light rain falling, just a drizzle, but the mountains were veiled with clouds.

Today's Sunset at Carlsbad, NM

As the day comes to a close we witness another marvelous painting across the evening sky. Such a scene could only be painted by the Master Himself. What a glorious end to the day.

Special formations in Carlsbad Caverns

Seeing the "big room" in the large underground space is one thing. Then there are all of the individual unusual formations.

Entering the Carlsbad Caverns

The natural entrance to the Carlsbad Caverns is the same place where the bats fly out of during the summer months. Being here in March we did not see the bats. They usually spend the winters in Mexico and return to Carlsbad during the summer months. They swarm in a mass exit from the cave each evening to feed. Sharon and Imogene had the opportunity to see the bats when they traveled here two years ago.

Sharon and I walked down into the cavern from the natural entrance. The descent was a sloping walkway that descended 750 feet into the caverns. The entire path was dimly lit. Visitors are no longer permitted to walk out of the cavern because of the steep grade. Elevators were installed some years ago and everyone exits that way.

After descending into the caverns and walking along the "main corridor" you eventually end up in the "big room". The "big room" covers more than 8.2 acres and the path around the room takes more than 1 and a half hours to walk the distance.

The "big room" is fantastic. Around each turn of the path there is a new and interesting rock formation to be seen. There is spot lighting throughout the cave and most of these pictures were taken with the available light. For some reason the photographs made with a flash are not as interesting and seem to lack the depth provided by the spot lighting throughout the cave.

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

Today we spent the day at the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. The entrance to the site is marked with a large state park sign. We are struck by the contrast of the tan landscape here as compared with the lush green of Virginia.

Carlsbad, TX

We arrived at the Carlsbad KOA campground about 4:30 p.m. A pleasent stop after a day's drive. After setting up camp we settled down for dinner and the sun began to set. What a glorious sight with which to end the day.

Mentone, Loving County, TX

North of Pecos we stopped at Mentone, Loving County, TX.

The white building on the right behind the town sign is the Bootstrap Cafe. Seems Michael used to stop there to eat when he was in college and worked on the oil rigs in the summer months. There is a better picture of the Bootstrap Cafe below.

Sometimes it is better to remember things the way that they were rather than the way they are now.

Loving County, Texas has a population of 67 in a county with 2,000 square miles. That means there is only 0.0335 persons per square mile. I have heard that this is the least populated county in the lower 48 states.

Oh, yes. Don't forget the Pecos River. Here it is 100 miles up stream from the earlier picture. We expected the river to be smaller near Mentone.

Pecos, TX: Saturday, March 10, 2007

Pecos, TX: As we approached the town, the Chamber of Commerce had a sign advertising a radio message about Pecos. Sixteen restrauants was mentioned.

It was late, about 2:30 and we had not had lunch because we were waiting to stop at Ben's Mexican Restrauant in Pecos. My brother-in-law recommended it as he remembered it from years ago. I stopped at the Flying J service station to fill up on diesel and I asked about Ben's. The two young ladies at the counter said "Ben's?" "Never heard of it." "That must have been a long time ago." Sorry Mike.

Those sixteen restrauants the Chamber of Commerce mentioned, they must have all been on siesta at 2:30 p.m. I didn't find a single one that looked like it was open. We stopped outside of town and made a sandwitch in our camper.

Pecos River near Sheffield, TX

On the recommendation of Michael B. we stopped to take a look at the Pecos River near Sheffield, TX. I was expecting something extraordinary. I'll let you be the judge. Here are the pictures.

The Pecos was about 15 feet across at this point. We are looking forward to seeing it near Mentone, TX which is almost 100 miles further west. Maybe it is larger there.

Herd Steakhouse & Sunshine Cafe, Junction, TX

We had a taste for steak for the evening meal so we went to the Herd Steakhouse. Pleasent setting and a wonderful meal. Good service and a pleasant wait staff.

An anonymous person left a comment on our blog recommending the Sunshine Cafe so we ate breakfast there this morning. We didn't want to pass up the recommendation. Thanks Mr. or Ms. Anonymous. The Sunshine Cafe is a great local mom and pop restrauant. We would recommend it.