Heading Home

Moved stuff from the motel room into my car. Checked out of the motel and stopped to gas the car, First destination the "ghost town" of Mogollon.

Narrow, mountain road, mostly only 1 1/2 lanes wide.  9 miles from the highway, I entered the town Mogollon.  The town is crammed into a canyon with a stream coming down it.  Building had bridges over the creek to get out of their houses!

There are a surprising number of occupied houses here in the town.  Man old buildings that look that they could be use.  A couple of ruins.

It was just after noon when I pulled into Pie Town.  Only one establishment was open for food.  I was not hungry, so skipped pie in Pie Town (people have told me it is not that special).  Got out of the car to take photos at the arch in El Malpais National Monument.  Home a little before 4pm. 

Busy Sunday

Late departure from the motel.  Destination for the day was Fort Bayard and downtown Silver City.  The Fort did nit open until 10am on Sunday.  Visited with the volunteers at the one open building.  From there, did a driving tour of the fort.

Next spot was downtown.  Parked and took several photos of the historic building in tow,  There even is the Murray Hotel with an art deco facade. 

It was only about noon, and I was not ready to go to the motel to pack.  Decided to do the 65 miles to Glenwood and the Catwalk National Trail.

Grabbed my walking stick (sure happy I brought it) and headed out up the trail.  The trail stats as a paved trail.  At one place, there is option to continue the paved, easier trail or a dirt, steeper trail.  I opted to say on the paved trail. 

It was a bit of a hike up the trails before the catwalk starts. Several times I thought of stopping and just heading back.  But, with a rest (unfortunately no benched along the trail) I persevered.  Eventually I got to the catwalk.  Continues the catwalk trail until in ends with a ground level trail.  /

There were 2 benches on the catwalk, took time to rest, get a photo of me, before heading back down to the car. Was relieved when I made it back at the car,  Guzzled a bottle of Gaterade and headed back to the motel.

Packed up the room and went back to the Wrangler for dinner.  Had their French Dip with side of potato salad washed down with 2 pints of Amber Bock.  Back at the motel, I crashed into bed.

Rodeo New Mexico

Today was a day to explore the far SW corner of New Mexico.  Drove down to Lordsburg, West a little on I-10, and South eventually to the little town of Rodeo, NM.  The guy I visited with Thursday night, suggested visiting the museum there.

Spend the $5 to enter the museum.  Most was filled with artifacts in this part of the country. In a separate room they have a display of live rattlesnakes and a couple other desert snakes, even a Gila  Monster!

Nothing that interesting to photograph so I went into their garden.  Took several photos of cacti flowers.

At the highway, I had seen a sign to a National Monument 35 miles over in Arizona.  At the museum, they told me the road there is "iffy".  Paved for about 15 miles, the gravel with some rough area.  I decided to drive the paved area and then head the tourist route back towards Silver City.

Later, I learned that a college friend and his husband were in the same National Monument today.  They live in Florida, would have been nice to see them.

Dinner this evening was at the Little Toad Creek Brewery downtown Silver City.  They had a good "Copper Ale".  Food was a bacon-cheeseburger with fries.

Disappointing Drive to Gila Cliff Dwellings

Headed out to make the loop to Gila Cliff Dwellings. Pause at the mine to two photos.  The observation ate was closed.  Turned onto Rt 35,  Was a beautiful, mostly relaxing drive.  At the intersection with Rt 15, the drive became a bit more taxing,  New Mexico 15 is a winding, narrow road, most of the time in the Gila National Forest..

After almost 2 hours from leaving my motel, I arried at the Visitor's Center.  The ranger gave me some recommends understanding my knee problems. Even with that, I had problems.  I just headed a few yards down one of the trails and had to turn back because I coulde not catch my breath.  There should not the problem - considering I live at 5500 ft and the Monument is a little over 6000.  But I had bip problems for some reason.

Gave up and drove 15 all the way back to Silver City.  This route is a twisting, wooded mountain road all the way to Pinos Altos.  Easy drive rest of the way to town.

Rested at the motel for a while.  Headed back to Pinos Alsos to the Buckhorn for dinner.  Had two bottle os Amber Fat Tire with a bacon-cheeseburger with a salad.

The Buckhorn is an old, historic building with the town;w opera house attached.  One of the staff showed me way to the opera house and I was left there to take some photos.  Thating able to take photos in the old opera house saved the day,

Back at the motel, check the route to the far SW of New Nexico to Rodeo to look at the museum there that I had been recommended.

T or C to Silver City

After a waffle and several glasses of apple juice, I headed off toward Silver City (taking a tourist route).  First on the route were several "ghost towns" NW of T or C - Monticello, Winston, and Chloride.

In Chloride I tourist the museum and store then.  Spend so time visited with the "owner", a life-long resident of Chloride.  Her grandfather was born in Wisconsin and published his memoirs "Confessions of a Wisconsin Farmm Boy".  Sure sounded like I have been working on,

Drove through, but not stopp, in Hillsboro and Kingston.  I noticed that the General Store and Cafe in Hillsboro was not open - just hope it has not gone out of business.  On up the Black Range. Stopped at a view area.  There was a display about the Silver City forest fire.

Since I had time, I detoured to "City of Rocks" State Park. Purchased my annual state park pass.The park is mostly camping spots and some hiking and mountain bike trails.  Interesting rock formations out in the New Mexico desert.  Shot many photos of the rock outcropping.

Was thinking of picking up a t-shirt at the sate park, but after I paid for my annual pass, they basically ignored me,  They talked among themselves not paying any attention to me.From City of Rocks,

Checked into the Motel 6 in Silver CityIt was great - then gave me a room very near the lobby and entrance.  Settled into the room and then headed to Wrangler Grill & Bar.  Had 2 pints of Amber Bock and their taco plate.  Had a nice conversation with a local "snowbird"  Spends Winters in Silcer Cioty and Summers next to Acadia National Park.

Lunch and drive to T or C

Packed up the car this morning. Attended the "geezer" lunch at Rio Rancho Blue Grasshopper. Ended having the 7" meat lover's pizza, washing it down with 2 pints of Sunrise Amber.

From there, I headed down the road to T or C (Truth or Consequences) and checked into my motel. Was surprised that my laptop would not power-up - no power. Walmart was very close (I hated to have to rely on Walmart). They had the la[top charger stuff I needed.

Very windy driving today. Tis the windy season for New Mexico.

Checking a couple ghost towns and driving the scenic route to Silver City is on the agenda for tomorrow.

O'Hare's Grill & Pub

Not looking forward to trying to cook (heat up) something for lunch. Decided to check out Ohare's Grill & Pub at Southern and 528 in Rio Rancho. Had the "half-french dip" with waffle fries and a pint of Sierra Amber Ale. I will be back to sample more food at this place!.

BTW, it looks like the Fat Squirrel has closed.(update 0 at lunch today I learned then are just closed to do some remodeling)