Chiricahua Mountain Backpack

We decided that the trip to this area would not be complete without an overnight in these beautiful mountains. We bought the trailer to Sunny Flats and were lucky to get site 3 which had an awesome backdrop of the mountains! The spot also was the hangout for some beautiful birds, like the Acorn Woodpecker and the Magnificant Hummingbird.

While hiking into the Maple Camp area, we enjoyed the diverse terrain, flowers and more unique birds, like this Painted Redstart.

Just before reaching Maple Camp, we met "Kevin" alocal who had moved here two years ago from New Orleans, where he had been the Curator for Reptiles at Audubon Zoo. After exchanging Katina stories, Kevin went on to tell us how it may be unsafe camping vernite in the Mountains due to the heavy illegal alien and drug traffic at night. He told serveral stories of encounters with up to 20 such individuals "hold up" in the Chiricahuas.

We found a nice spot for camp, just across the Creek from the trail, perhaps a hundred yards away. Our new Big Agnes Seedhouse 3 tent went up quickly, giving us time to enjoy a "hot toddy" in front of a warm fire.

Just about 5 minutes after dousing the fire & crawling in the tent, we were startled by the sound of quick, pounding footsteps on the trail. Paying careful attetion to the noise, we counted at least a dozen distinct pairs of feet passing by! No other sounds were heard, and they just passed quickly by, probably just as afraid of being discovered as us....

Well the night passed peacefully and uneventfully, and the passing of the Mexicans wasn't verified until we were on the trail this morning, when Kim first found a shred of bandelero, and then we discovered another tied to an abandoned water jug, obviously used as a shoulder strap.

The rest of the hike was more pleasant than the walk in, due to the wonderlful morning sunlight illuminating the steep canyon walls. We spotted the elusive Mexican Chickadee, too shy to pose for the camera though.....

I paused for a moment at the small waterfall to enjoy the gurglling sounds of the clear stream.

It was a great backpack, even down the back forrest road which led us back to home, our trailer, where Kim enoyed some more of those beautiful backdrop views, and I sat patiently awaiting the return of the hummingbirds.

Rodeo, NM

We have a lot of catching up to do. At some point we'll get posts up for Big Bend and the Fort Davis area. As for now, we're in the Rodeo, NM area. We've spent the last 6 days at a great RV park (Rusty's RV Ranch http://www.rustysrvranch.com/). If you looked out the window of our trailer, you'd ask why we would stay so long in place that has so little. Looks can be deceiving!

We are right on the NM and AZ border, in a valley between two mountain ranges. The view from both sides of our trailer is spectacular. This is one of the birding hotspots in the country. We're a bit too early for spring migration but we are seeing lots of birds. Some highlights were the Arizona Woodpecker, Blue-Throated Hummingbird, Bridled Titmouse, and the Canyon Towhee.

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This area is also huge with people who love to star watch. One of the counties has light restrictions placed on homes. We visited the home of an avid astronomy buff - Vickie and Rick Veno. After retirement they had moved to this area, set up a triple wide trailer and built an observatory connected to the house! After visiting the Davis Observatory in TX, I have to honestly say that this private observatory was more impressive! There are several other homes with private observatories.

Be sure to check out Rick's AWESOME astronomy website, featuring a tour of the photographic universe taken from this neat home observatory. http://www.conferringwiththesky.org/index.php

The mountains hold a wealth of hiking trails. We hiked Cave Creek Canyon with it's near vertical walls, abundant flowers & birds. The trail is next to a sparkling clear stream. We hope to backpack this area in the next few days.

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The area is also big with people who fly ultralight aircraft. Here they call them kite planes. It looks like a lot of fun to fly just barely off the ground at a slow speed......just like a bird. There's a whole development around this kite flying - called Sky Gypsy Complex. It comes to find out that it was started by McAfee - of the antivirus fame. The whole complex is done extremely well with a cafe, coffee shop, and a whole setup of old airstreams and cars to match. http://www.desertexposure.com/200711/200711_mcafee_icarus.php

Next door to the campground is an equestrian center. I got the itch to ride again. So, today I took a ride into the desert with a cowboy on a real cow horse. Bob has been riding since he was three. He has done a lot of work with cutting and roping horses.

My mount for the trail ride was a 14 year old AQHA gelding - Dan. Dan had done some roping in his younger days. He now is a great trail horse. Bob says that he trusts anyone on him. I was impressed at how well behaved he was on our 2 hour ride. Bob's horse trotted the whole way while Dan kept up at a brisk walk and never seem to feed off of the other horse's anxiousness.
Bob's three Jack Russell Terriers joined us for the ride. We spent 2 hours walking through the desert - through mesquite, cactus and over rocks. It didn't bother the tough horses at all.

We leave tomorrow for either a few days in the mountains (if we can get a campsite) or off to Tombstone. Hopefully there will be some more updates next week.

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??