We visited Sitting Bull Falls in New Mexico.
Some nice scenery on the way:
Lincoln National Forest:
Sitting Bull Falls Picnic Area:
A time capsule and info about the Civilian Conservation Corps:
Very nice picnic shelters:
Path to the falls:
Falls:
exploring
Attractions and other places we visit.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Just south of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, across the border in Texas, is Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Passing through the town of Carlsbad again on the way there:
Cave people art:
We stopped for lunch at a tiny separate section of Carlsbad Caverns NP, Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area:
They have a very nice picnic area in an oasis of trees, which we had pretty much to ourselves (only one other group in the distance):
Rattlesnake Springs sign:
This area has a spring that is the source of the water for the caverns:
Spring pool:
With fish:
Continuing on, we entered Texas:
Mountains:
A brief stop at the small McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center of Guadalupe Mountains National Park:
Then on to the main part of the park:
Pine Springs Visitor Center:
You know I enjoy 3D relief maps:
Inside the visitor center:
We walked along the Pinery Trail, about a mile of nature trail:
We took a look at the “campground”, little more than a parking lot (and too small for our coach):
We were impressed by El Capitan mountain:
A rest area and view:
El Capitan mountain again:
A quick spin along Frijole Ranch road:
Then back north into New Mexico, a much-needed carwash, and back home to our coach.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
We visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southern New Mexico:
The road to the visitor center:
We had a reservation for a ranger-led tour, so after checking in, we had a picnic lunch:
Back to the visitor center:
Bat artwork in the foyer:
The ticketing area:
There are two ways down to the caverns: elevators, or the natural entrance. This time, we took the elevators. They lead to the underground rest stop, with food, swag, and bathrooms:
We joined the ranger for our guided tour:
He was a bit of a character, with multiple philosophy degrees. That definitely showed in his talks, with discussions of paradoxes and raising questions about the caverns.
The tour we went on was the King’s Palace tour (the only one offered currently). It gives access to caverns not open to the general public, via this gate:
Heading down:
Stalactites:
The King’s Palace room:
The ranger passed around an old photo showing the room (sorry, not a great shot of it):
Through a tunnel to the next room:
The Papoose Room:
The Queen’s Chamber:
An actively dripping column; the ranger turned out the lights and we sat by this in total darkness for a few minutes, just listening to the dripping of the water:
A fossilized bat:
Telephone:
Back to King’s Palace, on the other side:
Green Lake (a small pool):
Heading up some stairs:
The end of the tour at the exit gate:
Looking down:
Old stairs:
Swiss cheese:
New York Skyline:
Info sign:
Back at the underground rest stop:
Rest stop shop:
Restrooms:
Another map:
Exit to elevators:
Elevators:
Heading up from 750 feet underground:
The elevators debouch into the gift store, of course:
An impressive 3D map of the caverns:
Jenn just hanging around:
Another gift shop and restaurant:
Gotta have her pressed penny:
Back outside the visitor center:
Roswell UFO Museum
We visited Roswell, New Mexico, to check out the International UFO Museum.
But first, we went to a neighboring Mexican restaurant for lunch:
UFO-themed shops:
UFO museum mural:
The UFO Museum:
UFO Museum exhibits:
A video of the UFO and aliens display:
Aliens in movies:
Penny smasher:
Gift store:
South of Roswell, UFO welcome to Roswell signs:
Texas and New Mexico wine tasting
On our last day in Las Cruces, we went out with a friend to do some wine tasting.
Our first stop was Zin Valle Vineyards.
A notable thing about this vineyard is that it is tucked into a weird little fold in the New Mexico / Texas border:
Outside:
Helpful server for our tasting (three tastings, free; we did buy a bottle, too):
A nice painted table:
We listened to some live music while munching on a charcuterie platter:
Our next stop was up the road, back in New Mexico; La Viña Winery. They were wrapping up an event, but let us have a tasting outside:
Again three tastings each, and again we bought a bottle:
Finally, we went to D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro in Las Cruces for lunch (and another three tastings each):
Mesilla, Las Cruces
While in Las Cruces we met up with friends for dinner in the historic Mesilla district:
Plaza:
We had dinner at the historic Double Eagle Restaurant:
The Imperial Bar:
The Peppers casual dining restaurant:
The Double Eagle fine dining restaurant:
Tableside caesar salad preparation:
My steak and baked potato:
Jenn’s steak and scalloped potatoes:
My cheesecake dessert:
Heading back to our car, the church at night:
Las Cruces mountains and weather
While staying in Las Cruces, we experienced some interesting scenery and weather.
Some nice mountain peaks on the way back from White Sands National Park:
Going out that evening, we saw a partial double rainbow (what does it mean?!):
Sun rays through clouds:
In the desert, it doesn’t rain like we’re used to; when it rains, it pours:
A wash across a road:
More nice mountains:
White Sands National Park
While in Las Cruces, we visited the nearby White Sands National Park.
This park features the world’s largest gypsum dunefield. Until December 2019 it was a National Monument, and many of the signs have yet to be updated:
White Sands visitor center:
In addition to the park service visitor center shop, there is a commercial gift shop onsite:
We do enjoy the cactus candy:
They have disc-shaped sand sleds for sale (and can buy back); we thought about it, but decided not to bother:
Jenn does enjoy her pressed pennies:
A flowering shrub out front was covered in butterflies, moths, and bees:
The entrance station:
The road between sand dunes:
About halfway the pavement ends, so one is driving on compressed sand:
They have several picnic areas, with lots of shelters:
We parked at one, for a picnic lunch; the shelter didn’t do much to block the strong wind, though:
A selfie:
We climbed the dune behind the shelter:
Shiny gypsum sand; a nice property of it is that it doesn’t get hot:
Sand dunes in all directions:
Other people sledding by the picnic area:
Shadows:
We then went to a boardwalk in an area with more foliage:
An interesting park, somewhat different than the sand dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park, but fascinating in its own way.
Truth or Consequences and Elephant Butte Dam
We visited the town of Truth or Consequences in New Mexico. A town mostly notable for having renamed itself after a radio show in 1950.
Downtown:
We had lunch at A & B Drive In:
Pigeons nesting in the roof:
An interesting mountain:
Castle-like structure:
We headed up the hill to take a look at Elephant Butte Dam on the Rio Grande river:
The reservoir is rather low at present; here’s a picture of it near capacity for comparison:
Santa Fe
We had some chores to do, so went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and explored a little of the area.
The route from Taos took us along the Rio Grande River gorge:
A hot air balloonist, no doubt on their way to Albuquerque:
We really enjoyed how the adobe buildings blend into the landscaping:
Santa Fe sign:
After our chores, we went to a Mexican restaurant for lunch (with a red hue due to an outdoor canopy):
Cute bill folio:
We went to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, though had neglected to make a reservation, so couldn’t get in:
We then headed to the Chuck Jones gallery:
But they were closed, probably because they were at the Albuquerque balloon fiesta:
Some interesting buildings:
Santa Fe Plaza:
An interesting overpass:
We took a scenic drive back to Taos:
