Pinos Altos New Mexico(NM)03/09/99

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NEW MEXICO- Pinos Altos, NM- 3/09/99

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WELCOME to PINOS ALTOS, New Mexico- 3/09/99

We are OFF and AWAY to Silver City, New Mexico. Our mileage since leaving home is 1575 miles. I guess we are modern day pioneers crossing the west and yet we both sense the Indians of the past watching us pass through their land. The sign to Silver City reads "Multi cultured, multi lingual".

The ground cover is more plentiful now and I don't know what the name of the plants are. Part of it looks like a sea of gray then another part is a sea of gold and yellow. On the right is a picture of the infamous tumble weed.

I am beginning to fall in love with this area. It has taken some time for me to appreciate it. The scenery is getting better.

Water is conserved here. It doesn't rain much. Actually they only get about 8 inches of rain a year. You can't take water for granted; not the animals, birds, trees or people. Every living creature must share this resource wisely. There is a lesson in humility and gratitude.

We stop at a pull-off on the road and leave with pictures of delicate desert life.

In just fifteen miles there is a dramatic change in scenery. We pass through the town of Hurley. It is a copper mining town. Two large smoke stacks reach for the sky with houses huddled around them. More rolling hills, a railroad track and tall gold grass present themselves, and there are a lot of shacks.

We cross over a 5800 foot mountain to get to the town of Bayard. This town is where they had a fort for the Buffalo Soldiers, African Americans who served in the army in the early days.

We stop in Silver City and walk around the town. Our visit includes some antique shops, stop in a local bakery... and yes we both eat éclairs. We buy some donuts to take with us.

There are bikers here and some transients here that look like drifters... both male and female. They don't look much older then thirty. I wonder if they are run-away teens that grew up out here or Vietnam vets.

We drive up a big, big, winding, snaking road that turns into a dirt road that leads to a closed park. Do you remember the movie with Lucy and Desi, The Longest Trailer? Ricky kept saying just look at the scenery, I'll worry about the road. I tried to read a book but my eyes kept creeping over the top of the pages. We are still alive and I'm proud of it!

We have decided to stay at the Continental Divide RV Park in Pinos Altos, New Mexico. Guess why they call it that name? Yes, the Continental Divide runs right through the middle of the RV Park.

Note the beautiful Almond tree in bloom in the Campground beside the RV.

It is still daylight so we decide to tour the big town of Pinos Altos, population 30 something. Our first stop is a replica of an old fort. It is very well presented, and it is evident a lot of work and love of craft and collectibles went into its construction... a must see attraction in the town. (the only attraction)