Adventure 375: Ruidoso, New Mexico

There's bear's in them trees.

As rabid basketball fans (Especially our Zags), our travel in this section is being driven by tournament timing, hence our one night stands in the wilds of Eastern New Mexico. We left Roswell this morning under clear skies and very pleasant temperatures. Before we left we took a couple mile stroll through the fields in back of the Red Barn RV Park. From Roswell to Ruidoso it's a steady climb of nearly four thousand feet into the mountains. Ruidoso is home to the Southern most ski resort in the country and it's a typical tourist town. It's also a place that houses much history. Billy the Kidd rode through here with his gang, and according to the locals, would still recognize the town of Lincoln except for the paved roads. Historical Fort Stanton, whose storied career includes it being a post for the Indian wars, a Confederate Fort, and the first place German soldiers were housed as prisoners of war. The town itself is just a strip of shops and cabins leading up to the ski hill, but compared to the vast emptiness of West Texas, and the mechanical ravage of the oil fields, the town and its locale is a pleasant change. The air is fresh and cool. There are these plants called trees. And according to wiki leaks, it's one of the fastest growing areas in New Mexico. I even heard that Jimmy Hoffa is buried near by (I'm sorry, I just made that up-it's a disease that's going around; I think I've caught a little bit of it). On a note of truth, the new card deck changed my luck. I handled everything the Cage could throw at me today. Her whining sounded like one of the Coyotes that live around here. Back to  Basketball. We'll be in Las Cruces tomorrow night, Tuscon Saturday and Sunday (Both to revisit our friends, the Krals, and to attend their church-We liked their pastor), and then on to Phoenix for the next week so we can be assured of a cable network to watch the first weekend of the tournament. It's nice to be able to identify your priorities. Ours, meager though they may be, are indeed sorne of passion. In fact, we're more passionate than a momma grizzly protecting her cubs. As Zag fans, we're excited, and while nothing is certain in athletics, this is the best chance we've ever had. Not to get too technical, but this is the first team the Zags have had that have enough athletic ability to guard the most excellent perimeter players in the land. So, if you believe in petitioning the Lord for selfish things, join us and pray that the Zags get hot. Having said that, basketball is really just a game, and regardless of what happens, we're just thankful that we enjoy a life that is good, especially today.

 Out of the desert and into the mountains.

Hey, put a leash on that striped shirted woman!

 Downtown Ruidoso, a typical Western strip town. Ski mountain in the background.

 When we came back from touring downtown, we had "Big Red" trying to snuggle up to Fric and Frac.

 Alleged first building in Ruidoso, 1855.

 The owner of the Circle B RV Park has quite a sense of humor. Take his name, for instance,   Jonnie "Rip" Van Winkle. This staging area for trailers checking in has five signs urging drivers like me to edge up..."just a little bit more", "5 MPH", "OK, you're there".

 Antique bicycle retired to the rafters.

 A little more of "Rip's" humor. His office area is filled with signs much like this.

 Sundown in Ruidoso. Quite pretty.

Good night, Frac.