Enjoying Southern New Mexico

While in Carlsbad (Lakewood) we rested and visited The Living Desert Museum, Carlsbad Caverns NP, and Guadalupe Mountains NP.

Jim's first Roadrunner - Beep Beep!

Guadalupe's El Capitan

We planned on visiting Roswell, but after talking with locals decided it was not worth the drive – guess that was the wrong decision since we didn't go there “THEY”came to see us!

Next we headed to Las Cruces, NM. Only two ways to get there from here 1. a trip over the Guadalupe Mountains or 2. a trip around the Guadalupe Mountains. The weatherman was predicting a strong windstorm (45-65 mph winds) so we chose the longer lower route. Carlsbad to El Paso is 155 miles, and not one fuel stop in between. Usually towing the trailer we get around 11-12 mpg. Driving 155 miles into the wind we got 6.3 mpg!!! Julie, being the southwest expert just kept laughing at my amazement at the total lack of anything for miles and miles and miles … We finally made it to El Paso and turned north ie: from driving directly into the wind to driving into a blistering sand filled crosswind.

OMG !!!

Salt Flats on US 180 going across northern Texas

We love New Mexico's signature Green Chili Burgers!

In Las Cruces we unexpectedly met up with Al and Carol Stevens, Montana Rally friends, and did a few things together including Thanksgiving dinner and a beautiful sunset overlooking Las Cruces and the Organ Mountains. They introduced us to the quaint town of Mesilla, an old adobe structured town that actually was once part of Mexico. It is now part of Las Cruces. We ate at La Posta, a plain on the outside, authentically decorated on the inside, Mexican Restaurant. It was delicious. We walked the shops, and of course, Julie picked up a Kokopelli wall hanging that spoke to her.

Ornate window in Mesilla

La Posta Mexican Restaurant in Mesilla, NM

Short door or tall Jim?  Mesilla

Las Cruces Courtyard

Sunset on the Organ Mountains, Las Cruces, NM

A 30' Roadrunner made out of recycled trash

Can you identify the junk? shoes, crutches, radios, phones...

While in Las Cruces we took in White Sands National Monument, the White Sands Missile Museum, the world's largest chili pepper, Billy The Kid Gift Shop (in building where he was sentenced to hang), a hike up the Organ Mountains to Dripping Springs, the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum , and a 30' tall Road Runner made entirely of recycled “stuff”. Yep, got lots of Touron time in. Also managed (just managed, whew) to partake of a few authentic meals of the Mexican variety. and OH BOY HOWDY, nothing at all like Taco Bell!!!! Learned their idea of a hot sauce and mine are totally different. When asked about a particular sauce if they shrug their shoulders and sorta turn up their nose TAKE THAT ONE. If they say “Oh not too bad” order a gallon or two of water before that first bite!!! Actually it is usually wise to have a bee hive close by as we learned that honey is a great way to put out a flaming tongue. (especially when drizzled on a sopapilla)!

White Sands National Monument Visitor Center

 Our hike up to Dripping Springs National Monument in the Organ Mountains.  

We are leaving Las Cruces but hate to leave this view from our campsite behind. However, as we are learning there are more and better things to see and do "On the Road" !!! 

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