TATUM TO TULAROSA NEW MEXICO….WE’RE HERE:))

WELL, I’D SAY THIS IS A PRETTY GOOD SIGN WE ARE IN THE SOUTHWEST NOW:))
Nice quiet night in Tatum New Mexico followed by a fine sunrise.  We went through another time zone shift and are now on Mountain Time.  That put us on the road earlier at 7:10 a.m.  Always figured the finest driving time for any day is between sunrise and about 10 in the morning.  With that thought in mind our way west was bathed in soft warming sunlight and pastel hues.  I kept my eyes riveted on the horizon ahead.  Topped a slight rise in the road and there it was.  Directly in line with the highway was the Capitan Mountain range rising up out of the Plains floor.  Time was 7:43.  The Capitan Peak I was looking at was probably another 50 or 60 miles ahead of us west of Roswell but there it was at last.  After almost 8 months………. my beloved Mountains:))
TIGHT SQUEEZE GETTING BY THIS HOUSE WEST OF ROSWELL NM
Another 45 minutes and we were making our way through Roswell New Mexico.  The long flat stretching Plains were behind us now as we immediately began to climb into the mountain foothills ahead.  This stretch of road between Roswell and Tularosa NM is an easy scenic 4 lane drive through the mountains.  No sheer drop-offs or tight nail biting curves or turns.  It’s a gentle road and carries you along in comfort.  Aspen and Sycamore trees are still wearing their golden Autumn coats.  Green horse pastures, mountain ridges and colorful rock formations compete for a driver’s attention.

THIS IS A TYPICAL STRETCH OF  HIGHWAY 380 HEADING WEST THROUGH THE CAPITAN MOUNTAINS EAST OF RUIDOSO…A NICE WIDE LEISURELY ROAD
The Alpine like town of Ruidoso nestles between forested mountains just east of the Apache Pass.  I remember coming through the Apache Pass on a homeward trek about three years ago with snow on the many pine bows along the highway.  I remember humming Christmas Carols.
Coming down the west side of the Capitan Mountains I kept my eyes peeled for another favorite view and then there it was far out along the horizon line.  The vast stretch of white sand for which the Tularosa Valley is known for.  Awww yes, we had made it back to our southwest home for yet one more winter.
Scouted out a possible boon docking site in a small Park near Tularosa’s police station.  Kelly had found this location in her book of secret places.  Park turned out to be too small for us so we headed north on highway 54 for another area she had found north of town.  Twenty two miles of good road brought us to the Three Rivers Petroglyph Campground.  It is BLM land located 5 miles east of highway 54. 

THREE RIVERS PETROGLYPH CAMPGROUND IS JUST UP THE ROAD ON THE LEFT
A small campground but neat and clean with only 2 RV sites.  And they are both pull-thru sites with one being empty.  Now, how’s that for a piece of luck.  Only $5 a night with electricity, water and a pleasant camp host couple.
 
SMALL CAMPGROUND…PICNIC CASITAS ON LEFT, CAMP HOST CENTER AND WASHROOMS ON THE RIGHT
Mountain ranges to the east and west and there is even the excavated ruins of an old Indian Village here.  Figure we might just set us a spell for a couple days and poke our noses around the area.  Lots of sunshine and warming temperatures so we’re not in a big hurry to go anywhere anymore. 
 
TWO SITES = TWO RIGS
Sure is great to be back in the southwest again and as I walked around the old Indian digs and read the plaques I had that comforting feeling of the old west come over me all over again:))
   
 
I was happy to read this morning that John and Judy over at RV LIFE ON WHEELS are enjoying the CITY OF ROCKS STATE PARK in New Mexico as much as we did when there a couple years ago.  Anyone typing either City Of Rocks or Silver City into our site’s ‘Search’ bar can read about and see pics of our time in that area.
Noticed this morning we have another new Blog Follower.  The bunch here from Bayfield extends a warm welcome to W6PE:))

I SAVED THIS LITTLE FELLOW FROM DROWNING IN THE DOG’S WATER DISH THIS AFTERNOON AND YEP, THAT’S MY FINGER:))
To answer a few questions….I will change that top header picture as soon as I can find me some new scenic southwest photo’s:))  We haven’t heard back from the McNeal Ranch folks yet so not sure if and when we will be there this year.  Regarding the blogs picture sizing…..I’ve been having some problems with my laptop’s version of Live Writer. Can’t seem to get LW to accept changes and corrections. Picture sizing and text spacing have become a problem. Debating whether to uninstall and reinstall a clean version.  And yes, Roswell is where them there space Aliens are hanging out alright.
Say, did I mention how great it is be back in the southwest again……………:))
 
GROANER’S CORNER:((  A young minister, in his first days at his first parish, is obliged to conduct the funeral services for an eccentric man who has just died. At the funeral home, he stands before the open casket and tries to think of words to console the widow.
Finally, the minister says, "I know this must be a very hard blow, Mrs. Jones. But we must remember that what we see here is only the husk, the shell. The nut has gone to heaven."
--------------------------------------------------------------
-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.