Deming New Mexico & The Pink Store

Deming is one of those special "snowbird towns" that basically lies in the middle of nowhere, is warm in winter, has cheap food and RV parks, lots of social activities and a small Mexican border town only 40 miles away with low cost dental, eyeglass & perscription drug access.

We had gone to the area planning to stay at Rockhound State Park, where one is allowed to roam the hills & mountains, digging for semi-precious stones. You can keep up to 25lbs of rocks per visit, and there have been some interesting finds right there on the property. However, to our surprise, the Park was full. Deming is also well known for of the largest & best yearly rock shows in the early Spring. http://artisanjade.com/Year2007/03-07Deming.html

It just so happened that Kim & I stumbled onto this fun event our second day in the area, and enjoyed two afternoons wondering through the endless tables of stones, fossils, petrified wood and of course turquoise...

And while bumming around the rock show, talking to other full-timers, we learned that there's the Pink Store! http://www.thepinkstoremexico.com/ This interesting establishment is owned by an American couple who search all over Mexico to bring a large attractively priced sampling of handmade pottery, stained glass, blankets, leather goods, jewelery and other interior & exterior decorating items to a single easy to get to location. We crossed the border early on a sleepy Sunday morning...the small town of Palomas was barely awake...

And viewed their wares for about an hour before lunch! Kim found the hanging collection in this area quite interesting. BUT, so many parrots, so little time. I guess the selection of one of these brightly artful creatures will have to wait for a larger trailer....

I decided to focus more on the pottery, but then too realized this stuff is HEAVY...not so good for pushing thge gross carry limits of the trailer!

They are also noted for there good-sized, hand mixed, very strong $2.50 margaritas! Humm, do you think we sampled those....and the food, what a bargain and a delight! We had a blast, enjoying lunch with some newfound RV friends...

another stroll after lunch brought the realization that this town was a favorite hangout for Pancho Villa, and the locals still celebrate his attempt to free the common man from an oppressive government at every opportunity.

While the townsfolk focus on the statue of Pancho, Kim & I found another pair of nearby staues more fitting to our taste!

Walking back to the border, we noticed a nice pair of establishments on our left.... so, I wonder, just how many small rocks & gems are in those hamburgers next door??