Moving On Again, From Alamogordo

To fill that awkward thirty second conversation gap ............Who's got bigger ears? Yoda or Spock? Tune in to the next blog entry for the answer to the Question.

The time has finally come to leave Alamogordo. I have already posted pictures from there because it was such a perfect spot to visit a lot of places and not have to move the trailer. The weather here as well as the scenery was perfect. But all good things must come to an end. I also included some photos of the White Sands Missile Site which we visited on our way to Las Cruces, New Mexico. 

It was early enough in the day and we made it it to Deming, just past Las Cruces. We had stayed in the area before but this time we chose this out of the way old cattle ranch. It was quite a dusty ride but well worth it.It was called Hidden Valley Ranch, and no, we did not have a salad when we got there. The sites were big, and the family living there had been running the ranch for about three years. There were many residents who have been returning guests for many years. The campground had just celebrated its eightieth birthday.

We stayed a few nights because of its central location for more sightseeing.

Hidden Valley Ranch

An Old Water Well and Tank. They had it decorated and lit up at night with festive lights. Very Cool.

There was a pool.......at one time!

We enjoyed our morning coffee and plain donuts looking at this view.

This was where we got our best phone reception. That is our campground wayyyyyy down  there. See those white specks by the mountain base, those are the trailers.

We took the dogs and walked down this dry river bed.

Rock drawings we found while we were trying to find a spot to use the phone.

Petroglyphs

This was a little cave or fire pit we found on a hike. It looked like it had been there a very long time.

Came upon this guy at the side of the river bed

Bones in a fire pit.....Need to brush up on my bone identification skills.

Anyone remember what these are from our Colorado Horseback Pack trip?

The only tree in the camp. A premium shade area

The next area we visited while we were in the Deming area was City of Rocks State Park. It was close to the ranch so we drove about twenty miles up the road and stopped to see these magnificent rock formations. They were formed of volcanic ash 30 million years ago and shaped by the wind and water into these monolithic blocks. 

These rock formations are so unique and are only found in six other places in the world. If you use your imagination the shapes take on the likeness of familiar things. Some look like houses, chimneys and line up like houses on a city street.

There is a botanical garden here as well. Many cactus plants are in the area. There are rumored to be deer, javelinas, jack rabbits and antelope in the area and plenty of birds, from Golden Eagles to finches.

The big guy in the middle reminds me of a bird with a hat on.

The little rock is just perched there.

The scooped out areas are caused by water and wind. I forget what it is called but find out and put it in later. This appears in other rocks we have seen.

Looks like a chimps face.

The round one is just sitting there.

This big guy is seriously just balanced on the two rocks.

Bill shows up in the darnedest places!

The campground has no facilities at the individual sites and you just tuck in between the rocks. 

More campsites, and it was full.

The Garden

Hidden Micky

Ocotillo

A small Mohave Yucca

A Hedgehog Cactus about to bloom.


We  heard this was a great year for the flowering cactus  because of the cycle they seem to be on. Every ten years or so is a good year, and this appears to be a great year. We have seen lots of blooms and I have more in the next set of pictures. Well I guess that is all for now.


Have a great Easter! Love you.