New Mexico - North to Central
Wednesday, October 22
Start : Espanola, NM
Finish: Valley of Fires Recreation Area (BLM), W of Carrizozo
We had started our trip in Santa Fe, can always find more to do, but time to head South to Kasha-Katuwe Rocks National Monument (a BLM site, not part of the NPS 401). The rock formations are unique and a couple of trails take you into the middle of the 'tents'.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
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Our next stop was south of Albuquerque, on US 60 at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument at the Abo unit. There are 3 missions within this monument, scattered in a Central New Mexico. They were built over 600 years ago and abandoned in the 1670s, the remains are dramatic.
Abo - Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
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We continued east on US 60 into Mountainair, NM to the main visitor center for the missions. Across the street was a bakery that had just opened a few months ago with wonderful treats, we enjoyed Cream Apple Scones. Across the street was a great mural.
Mountainair, NM building mural
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Out of town we headed south on NM 55, actually south, then east, then south ..., zigzagged our way south to the second unit of the missions, Gran Quivira. The remains are smaller and constructed with a white rock. The pots on display in the visitor center were spectacular.
Gran Quivira - Salinas Pueblo Missions NM pottery display
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Kiva pot
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On our trips we keep track of the license plates we see. Early in the trip we had seen almost all of the states, then we still needed North Dakota and Hawaii. On SB I-25 today we saw several North Dakota plates. Still need Hawaii.
We ended the day at Valley of Fires Recreation Area (BLM), west of Carrizozo on US 380. This is an excellent, but small campground with 19 sites and 14 with electric and water. The restroom and shower building is excellent. Another spectacular Fall night overlooking the lava fields.
Passport Stamps
Salinas Pueblo Missions NM
Abo, NM
Mountainair, NM
Gran Quivira, NM
Bonus
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument - BLM New Mexico
A Centennial Celebration 1909-2009 - Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
Letterbox - 1
Wildlife Sightings
Pronghorn
Garter Snake
Red-tailed Hawk
Common Raven
Ferruginous Hawk
Dark-eyed Junco
Homeward Bound - New Mexico to Tucson
Friday, October 24
Start: Las Cruces, NM
Finish: home - Tucson, AZ
After breakfast we drove into town to Apodaca Park to view New Mexico's Whispering Giant statue of Dineh by Peter Toth.
Dineh, Whispering Giant
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On the east side of town is a new BLM National Monument, Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks National Monument. This monument was established this year by President Obama under The Antiquities Act of 1906. If federal land already exists a President can designate a national monument to be administered by NPS, USFS, BLM or FWS. Currently the next site to become site #402 within the NPS is Pullman Historic District in Chicago. The community is working hard for it to become a national park, which can only happen through Congress. In January this year the two Illinois senators introduced a bill to establish the park, the same has been done in the House. Speculation is if nothing is established before President Obama leaves office he will designate it as a national monument. The park status brings more tourists, i.e. $$.
Update February 2024 (RTA): Pullman National Historic Park has been established.
Just before we entered the visitor center parking area at Dripping Springs, within the monument, a roadrunner flew across the road in front of us. They are not known for their ability to fly, it was more a flapping gyration. A bit closer to the lot we avoided a tarantula crossing the road. Besides some basic displays there was a room with kid's activities. Outside the building was a nice native plants garden. From the parking lot several trails lead into the dramatic rocks and mountains.
Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks NM at Dripping Springs
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On our way back through Las Cruces to I-25 we made a quick stop at the Farm and Ranch Museum. As we entered the building a gentleman pointed out a pair of Great Horned Owls perched directly above the doors, he told us they are there all day long.
Great Horned Owl
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Back on I-25 north we stopped at Fort Selden State Historic Site for a trails passport stamp, another place we have visited previously. My husband re-collects stamps and reports them to the NPTC database to let other members know where the stamps are at and which ones are current. He also uses them to document our travels. In a few weeks after he scans all of the stamps he collected on this trip I'll post a link to his collection for this trip. As many of the frontier forts established in the mid-1800s, especially if built of adobe, the ruins are just that.
Fort Selden State Historic Site
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A bit further north we turned west on NM 26, then north on NM 27 to a new BLM site for us, Lake Valley Historic Townsite. We were met by a knowledgeable, low-key on-site host, we appreciate the low-key approach. The old school house serves as the visitor center, which he opened for us. He told us we were the first visitors to ask for the BLM stamp since it was issued in July of this year. One half of the room was the schoolroom used until 1955, it looked like it might have on the last day of school. He told us this site was the richest silver deposit in the US. In the late 1890s when the dollar standard went from silver to gold the town went bust. It had a revival during WW II when manganese was mined. There is a well-developed walking trail with excellent interpretive signs.
Lake Valley schoolroom
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Lake Valley townsite
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Play time was over, time to head home. We stopped in Lordsburg for a tried-and-true food stop, Kranberry's, we weren't disappointed. Finally, a favorite rest area, Texas Canyon, on I-10 in Arizona, about one hour from the driveway.
Yes, military bases are the best possibility to see a Hawaii license plate. We kept our eyes peeled as we made our way to Tucson, home of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base to no avail. So 49 states plus DC license plates seen on this trip. In a few days I'll come back with a trip summary.
Passport Stamps
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro NHT - Fort Selden, NM
Bonus
Dripping Springs Natural Area - BLM New Mexico
Lake Valley Historic Townsite - BLM New Mexico
Zia bear image @ Fort Selden
Wildlife Sightings
Tarantula
Lizard
Greater Roadrunner
Red-tailed Hawk
Mourning Dove
Northern Flicker
Gila Woodpecker
