Deep Fried Turkey / An Afternoon Surprise

As I expected , the gathering for the birthday party turned out very well . Great conversation among  friendly people , with a wide loop thrown over the topics . Everything from the weather to cooking to horses , pets , recent travel , future travel , the recent interest in local real estate [?] , we couldn't get a grip on that one ! A lot of time spent eating the various food that everyone contributed to , I'm proud to say there were hardly any left overs !
The big excitement of the day was Mr. Coyote making an appearance to raid the duck pond ! Bold as brass in broad daylight . Recently the duck population has been diminishing , it was attributed to owls at night as no coyotes had been observed , then in the space of two days a couple of them show up and ba-da-bing three ducks missing . We were sitting in the tent talking quietly and Bob stood up and walked over to his golf cart , picked up a pistol and started a slow walk towards the duck pond , for a big old guy he moves pretty quiet ! Using the trees and brush for cover he was within 20 yards of the pond when he stepped to the side and up comes the pistol , a sharp crack and Mr. coyote was seen running down the road , a second sharp crack and Mr. Coyote developed some serious problems ! Bob dropped that coyote on a dead run with a pistol at  least 40 yards . A great shot by any standards , a really GREAT shot by a 79 year old man shooting in bright sunlight ! Me? I didn't even know the coyote was there ! Bob confided to me later , he heard the critter go in the water . Remember I said we were in the tent talking ? Bob was sitting with his back to the pond , and he heard the coyote in the water with people talking around him , I was facing the pond and I didn't hear zip ! I believe I'll stick to the cooking and trash dumping chores and leave the gunslinging to Bob ! Tim told me later he's seen Bob hit jack rabbits at 35 to 40  yards with the little 22 auto he carries on his belt , not once but several times ! What a Guy !
The party began dispersing around 6 or so as nearly everyone had some driving to do to get home . Clean up was swift and everyone helped , . Upon returning to the hacienda and putting away the cooking gear , Had a large  glass of tea and watched the sorms play around the mountain peaks , the light show from lightning is always surprising . I sit 20 miles away and feel safe and can hardly hear the thunder as it rackets from peak to peak . Just before sunset I watched a storm line come in from the east off the Pelloncillos . A pressure change and the push of air gave me time to reach the windows and get them closed before the wall of dust came . Someday I'll have a chance to capture this sight with the camera , visibility went from a crsytal clear  afternoon to a brown , blank wall in seconds ! This lasted for most of 2 minutes and then , it was gone , but it was an exciting 2 minutes ! Trailer was rocking and the wind varied from a low sub sonic hum to a wail of a jet engine in seconds , then silence . The aftermath was evident as the sun dropped further behind the mountains , I hope all of you aren't getting tired of sunsets , this one really got my attention !

                     
 

  

 

  

  

 

Computers / Birthday / A Great Day

A fresh start today , Bob's Birthday with the accompanying food and good friends to hang with . The computer is all cleaned up and all the little annoying tasks associated with it are done . After an entire day of all the computer geekiness I could stand , I settled down on the deck and treated myself to a Shiner , watched the day end with it's usual magnificence , the sun slipped slowly behind the Chiricahuas and the light playing on the clouds became a light show a rock star would have been proud of . A quick review of the computer clean up , the geeky stuff was a pain in itself , I don't like doing it and have only learned to do the various tasks because I refuse to pay someone to do it for me . Hence , quite a few detours were made taking up time and for all I know setting a new precedent in computer maintainence . I'm sure there are system administrators out there just trembling at my skill ! The biggest item , believe it or not was dust ! Yep , plain old dust , we do have an abundance of said dust in New Mexico ! It gets into everything , keyboards , usb's , hard drives , any peripheral you may have and needless to say everything else in the trailer . A lot of time was spent just getting the fore mentioned items free of the dust . Then on to the drive clean up and straightening out the registry , running the spyware programs , etc. etc.I think it should run properly now , I sure hope so , the resulting head ache received from doing this small bit of insanity was a real winner !
Onward and upward  so the saying goes , today plans on some tall tales , good friends and lots of food . Another beautiful New Mexico day in the making , temps in the 80s , humidity in the teens and 20s a slight breeze , HOO YAH

Stay tuned ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB !!!!

A Different View / Damn Hippies !

A ride around the area yesterday , in pursuit of a cup of coffee and of course the possibilty of meeting some unique people led me to the drift between Arizona and New Mexico . The drift of course is a slight rise of land between the two states on the road to Portal . Going to Portal , the road rises soome 600 ft in elevation and when returning to Rodeo gives a view of an expanse of the valley that will open your eyes . The wide open vista rolls and tumbles for miles in either direction . Looking across the valley the Peloncillo mountains rise and stretch like a jungle cat flexing it's power , small canyons , deep clefts with shadows dancing in the falling light like a crazed Lambada dancer . Greens , browns , tans , yellows , with a scattering of primary colors make a back drop for the many small buildings and structures that from a distance appear toy like to the eye  . Mountain peaks 30 miles off look like a tiny bump in the landscape , closer , the sage , mesquite and cacti , defend the territory of the desert dwellers sharing the available water and nourishment with the cattle and horses . Some would find it stark and empty , then again there a lot of us who look and just don't see! I ride this stretch of highway several times a week and generally stop at one spot or another , and I always see something different . I took a shot , and once again , an inexpensive camera / lack of skill on my part resuts in a photo that certainly doesn't do justice to this area , anyway ....

 

  Kind of takes your breath away !

A stop at the Portal Lodge/ Store for coffee resulted in a conversation with the local artist in residence Robert Wordmire , his drawings and work are found throughout the valley and is famous as Mr.Route 66 . His pen and ink drawings are fabulous and his lifestyle is unique , to put it mildly . The conversation ran as expected on the usual things , I had recently bought one of his drawings to send to my sister and the story of how he did it and the amount of time involved was an awakening to how hard his spirit drives him to create these pieces of art . 

The rest of the afternoon coffee crowd consisted of a couple of cowboys , a stone mason , a bird watcher or two , the owner of the lodge , and myself . The tone of the conversation shifted and twisted to a multitude of topics from the weather  , the Border Patrol , and as with most people who have a little age on them our health and the various maladies that make life interesting . The point of Nationalized health care was bandied about , with most agreeing that it was an absolute must have and soon . I questioned who should pay for all this care and I was surprised that one cowboy proposed the use tax! Anyone that has been paying attention to the news knows that this idea  has been around for quite awhile . The idea of a national tax to pay for anything seemed abhorrent to some , and I was surprised again when Robert came out against the very thought of it . He lives off  the grid , uses very little if any of services for day to day living , when the old story of freedom and being able to do what you want , the subject of the aging / new agers / hippies was set upon . 

My thoughts kind of tumbled a bit as I listened to these free thinkers and maybe it's my age or experience , I held my opinion to myself , after listening to these folks for a while , I was jarred back to reality when I was asked " what do you think? " I replied " I guess I'm glad I wore the uniform so you have the freedom to talk and think as you wish " . I can't say I liked all their ideas and opinions , the bottom line is I [and a whole lot of others ] took the oath and did the service in order for them to have that freedom . No one had a snappy comeback . So it goes . Some folks just don't get it , maybe I've been one of those damn hippies all my life ! 

I think for right now , I'm right where I'm supposed to be , and thankful for what I have .

Stay tuned ....

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Yucca / Bob / Wild Sunset

It seems once again I let my alligator mouth override my hummingbird ass ! I should have been a tad more educated about Yucca ! A few conversations , a half dozen e-mails had me convinced of that , so after a bit of study here is pretty much all I know about Yucca . 

There are over forty species of the Yucca plant from the Joshua tree to the aloe , they vary in size from a nice little houseplant to some the size of a small oak tree. They are found nearly in every part of the world primarily in arid climates , although they will survive in a colder climate they seldom reproduce enough to harvest for their various uses . Useful properties include , can be used as a soap , dandruff control  some  extracts are used as a healing agent for burns , cuts , rheumatoid arthritis , osteoporosis , blood purifier , poulticed root in a steam bath for sprains and pulled muscles , neuritis , gout , leaves crushed and boiled to make a tonic , as a general anti inflammatory . Other uses for the plant include , drying the stems and use for fire starter , walking sticks , buiding materials , leaves were dried and used for shingles , fibers from the dried stems used for lacings , sewing etc. Some tribes near water would decoct the root and spread it on the water to stun the fish and then scoop them up , roots are sold in most markets and can be prepared in much of the recipes you would use a potato . Seems like a handy little plant to have around ? Be advised harvesting these suckers is WORK ! I'll probably take a shot at it anyway , I've cooked Yucca a few times and it is good , after slicing and boiling the root , I just fried it like a potato chip or french fry . I include a few pictures of our local Yucca , some topped and drying and a couple we left to bloom , also here's Bob with a dried stick , looks the part of a westerner doesn't he ? He's going to be 79 this coming Saturday , think I'll bake him a Yucca Cake ! Not really , deep fried turkey is on the menu .As an afterthought ,saponin , the key extract is a naturally occurring  steroid .

 

 

Another Wild sunset ! 

Stay tuned....

Feeling the Pressure / Storms / Little Kids

Yesterday , I started feeling the pressure building for another Memorial Day . Time to deal with the ghosts , demons and memories of friends gone , some forever , some just a long way from here . The pressure doesn't give me the blues , rather reenforces what we all did and that the price was worth it . This is a small tribute to my personal ghosts . To : J.C. , Mickey , Colenel Doug , Paulie , Iron Dave , Denny "The Lizard " , Colenel Joe Kittinger , MCPO Barrett , Banks Street  Bernie  , Mustang Joe , " Bingo " , Hans , "Guns" Galley . The rest of the cast of shipmates , desparadoes and true Americans are still maintaining gravtational forces and are above ground , probably poking around the soft underbelly of society and stirring things up where ever they happen to be , my thoughts are with you guys . A special thought for the two young ones serving today that hit close to home , Joey and Amanda . Watch your 6 o'clock and keep your head down !
The other day I wrote about the rain sorms that came across the vally , I did manage to get a couple of pictures and while they aren't particularly good , I thought I'd include them today , remember these squalls were probably a good 20 to 25 miles off , so you can imagine just how big they are !

 

 

      











    Yesterday evening after a hamburger dinner prepared by June , we sat and solved some world problems then retreated to our respective haciendas to contemplate sunset and watch night come creeping across  the desert . Sitting on the deck I watched a large class A motorhome pull in and as Bob directed it into it's dockage , I kept a watchful eye on it , [you can never tell what kind of entertainment will emerge] . After the engine shut down and it appeared everything was OK , the door flew open and three little ones burst from it ! They scurried about taking in the immediate surroundings under the watchful eye of their mom who was right behind them . While I am not a fan of small children , the energy these little guys  were expending was impressive . First off a straight shot to the duck pond , brother in the lead [about 8 I guess ] , one little sister [maybe 6 ] , and the littlest girl [about 4 or 5 ] , mom right behind them . Aquick exploration of the pond and then back to their rig to get dad , . Over to the office and see the fish ponds ! All this in the space of about 15 minutes ! It wore me out , I'm glad I was just doing the observing , not he following . Back to the rig and not much later the lights were out . This morning along about 8:30 or so the door reopened and out they came and all three lined up outside the rig and I'm supposing in all the excitement and falling darkness last night they didn't really see where they were . But today , THERE THEY WERE ! Mountains , big ones to those of us who see them everyday . How big must they be to these little guys ? Imagine if your perspective were lowered to two maybe two and a half feet off the ground ! Add to that it must have been a surprise for them . They stood there in a line and just stared . Mom and Dad showed a considerable amount of smarts and just stood in the door way and watched , not saying a thing .
May be they get it ?
Stay tuned .....        

The Cost of Freedom / Moving Around / Harvesting Happiness

Memorial day is always a tough one for me , Veterans day , not too bad , all the other holidays , whatever works . For some reason Memorial day always brings home the cost of freedom so many people have paid and did so with pride and dedication . I look about and see the way the media and corporate America have cheapened and degraded this occasion , and it gets me all balled up and ready to blow my top ! I seriously doubt that the long line of warriors , teachers and families of these Heroes think they need a special sale or some talking head on the tube to remember their sacrifice . Memorial services are all well and good , leave them to the folks who really matter , those who paid the price . I now have a number of friends whose children are serving in Iraq / Afghanistan , the sacrifice continues . For those young Heroes and their families I offer thanks and a prayer to what I believe in . Every year I offer the same toast , and to all who read this , I invite you to join me :
" To those who have gone before us " it covers all of my fallen comrades and shipmates , friends , acquaintenences and families thereof . For those of us still kicking around "may you find peace " . Enough said
  Moving around , had a conversation with my sister about moving around the other day . I don't have a problem about packing a bag , getting in or on whatever conveyance and getting in the wind to see whats over the hill or the next corner . The desire or need to keep moving around is as much a part of my life as anything else I can think of . I reckon it comes from the fact I never got too involved in gathering possessions , for me it's the friends and the people I meet and the places I go to . I can always get more stuff ! Then again I don't care for the disposable society that has evolved . I like quality and things that stay with you or as Guy Clark says "stuff that works , stuff that don't wear out " perhaps the most important line from that song " I got a good friend that's seen me at my worst " and they are still there . On that I don't feel the need to mention any names , you know who you are .
  Big plan for today , we are going to harvest the tops of Yucca plants ! Reason , so the center dries out and I can make walking sticks . It's not a big deal , but something Bob and I can do together and stay out of everyone's way , plus it sounds good on paper . This could be interesting ! The point is I'm doing something that makes me happy . Yesterday I sat in front of the Valley Mercantile with a few of the ranchers and watched a thunderstorm march across the valley over to Animas , just being with them talking about the weather and the beauty of this awesome sight harvested some happiness , last evening I took a ride to Portal turned around and did a slow drive back down into the valley just before sunset . The sun just dropping to the tops of the mountains scattered across the valley floor and splashed on the mountainsides across the valley like a cresting wave of gold . Shadows , colors and scents were running wild for several minutes , revealing secrets , telling new stories about the landscape , a whole new perspective about where I live . Harvested a little happiness . Darkness creeping in back at the ranch a rolling , tumbling bank of purple and cobalt blue with tiny specks of light peeking out , the desert breeze off the mountains freshening to a soft sigh , gentle as a newborn breath . Harvested some happiness. Woke up this morning , sun peeking over the Peloncillo's , blue sky and white puffy clouds . I'm Alive , and I'm not in pain . Harvested a little happiness .
Stay tuned .....

Down Time / Dust Storms / Pro Bloggers

So it's been a couple of days since I wrote anything , had an epiphany of sorts . Way too much time scurrying about with all the little projects , too much time expended on devising different ways of making life more complicated , even read some news ! TIME OUT ! Slowed the pace a little , picked up one of the many books I've been meaning to read , stretched out on the couch , tuned in some real old songs and just let it flow [ to coin a phrase from Elvin Bishop ] . Spent some time on the deck watching the mountains breathe and listening to the desert sounds . Brought my mental batteries back to full charge . I let the theater of my mind develop it's own scenarios while dredging up images of past highways and experiences . Meanwhile my new gadget from Skype kept me in touch with friends and firmly anchored in the current time zone .
I had my second go around with a dust storm Saturday night , this one came out of the East , much like the first one I experienced . It was more than a little distubing at times as I hadn't taken too many precautions against just such an event . After picking up my few possesions that seemed to be attempting a journey from here to Nogales on their own and helping Bob retrieve the parks various and sundry fixtures , then getting the majority of the dust out of the trailer , decided it would behoove me to anchor some of this stuff . A couple of hours and some diligent hammering and tricky sailors knots left me feeling a bit more confident when the next one comes .How hard did it blow ? Well , I had to reset the stabilizer jacks on the trailer and re-level the damn thing ! Some fierce winds !
I'd like to write a few words about some of these Pro Bloggers . I don't want or need your advice , but thanks anyway . If you feel the need to expose your every feeling and action to the public , have at it ! Personally I couldn't care less about your financials , the brand of tooth paste , your rig or your internet connection with the mega bucks sat dish . If you are suffering from the" look at me syndrome " we more than likely wouldn't get along anyway , but have a good life ! In deference to the guy who wrote and told me about including a fiancials statement in the blog , here you go : Income for this year to date : I'm not sure ?
Expenditures for this month : Let's see... I paid the lot rent , bought some otter pops , and had a couple of cups of coffee at the Portal Lodge , Gas for Van ? Yes , price per gallon ? Needed it didn't check . Food ?
Trip to Douglas a couple of weeks ago , I think I spent about $80 , still have plenty , might go later this week to get a turkey to fry for Memorial day .Entertainment ? You've got to be kidding.?!
Point being I got rid of all the crap that you are spending megabucks to drag with you ! I don't have a lot of non essential possesions , can't say that's the way for everyone , just works for me . Keeps the stress level down to about a 1/2 percent on the scale of one to ten .
Last night started to fool around with the camera as there were some bodacious clouds , as there are so seldom a lot to be seen out here , was interesting to watch them boil up over the mountain tops and slip across the valley . Here are the results at sunset , almost always is remarkable , last night after I reviewed the pictures it was awesome ! Enjoy...
Stay tuned ....

 

 

Finishing projects / Enjoying the Deck / Desert Survival

The last couple of days have been spent trying to finish all the little projects i've had laying about cluttering up my life . Hot water leak fixed , sewer line raised and drained , door sill reattached , window seals cleaned and lubed  air conditioner filters cleaned , latch on the bathroom door fixed , cleaned the inside of the van , made new station on Jango [ easy listening with Julie London , Tony Bennett , Martin Denny , John Coltrane and Billie Holliday aloong others ] cleaned inside of the traler after the mess I made fixing the other stuff. So you can see I haven't been a complete sluggard ! Today an attempt will be made on the laundry and a trip to the Mercantile to get re-bar and 2x4s [more projects !] . Expect to finish trimming out the deck this evening , figured to wait as my neighbors work nights . They are from some govmnt agency , out tagging bats , so even though I don't see the point in tagging bats , at least they have a job and if they can catch and tag a bat , I can refrain from hamering at 8 o'clock in the morning . Hell , I'd rather sit on the deck and look at the mountains anyway !

Speaking of the deck I attempted a self portrait of me enjoying the sunset out on the deck . What do you think ? Am I having a good time or what ! About 5 o'clock the evening breeze is just right for relaxing , and enjoying the view around here . I can sit facing any direction and see the vistas , I can do a 360 degree if I sit at one  end or another .

 

Sometimes I wonder how I got here ?

Then again , why did it take me so long to find this place?

 
 

Reminds me of the song "Don't fence me in "

 

You get to see the sunset twice !

Looking at the pictures reminds me to share with those of you that haven't traveled out west or in the desert a few survival actions that may save you a lot of grief :
A full gas tank is a happy gas tank.
A small can of gas carried with you is not a bad idea .
A five gallon collapsible container of water is nice to have . For those of you who are weight concious it's less than 30 lbs.
A few tools in a small kit or box
Plenty of drinking water , whether it's bottled or whatever .
Some snacks or dried fruit , something to munch on , it's a long way between towns .
Make sure of the spare tire , road service is pretty ifffy , if at all / or carry some fix a flat or one of those things
A hat with a brim and crown , ball caps don't help much . Why do you think cowboys wear those hats ?
Road service plans are great . If they can find you !
A full gas tank is a happy gas tank ! Yes I know I repeated it ! Twice , since I've been here this time I've had to stop on the way to Douglas to give some gas  to somebody on the side of the road ! Reason , they heard gas is  cheaper down by the border ! It is by a few cents , but you have to get there to enjoy that few cents savings . Add to the problem , there is no cell phone signal down in the valley . Once you get over the pass at either end or travel east 20 or 30 miles you can pick one up , maybe ! Going west is a long trek over the Chiricahuas , about 40 miles then there are still no gas stations and possibly a cell phone signal as you get closer to Wilcox , Arizona .
Sounds simple ? It is most people have the common sense to figure it out , doesn't hurt to remind folks though .

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                         Just couldn't resist , I'm really having a good time !!
Stay tuned ...
                
                               

Progress / A small rant / observation

Another incredible New Mexico morning ! A gentle breeze slipping across the desert floor , stirring the early morning aromas and waking the desert creatures . Out the front door this morning , a small covey of quail , several of the birds I have yet to know their names , the usual bunch of cotton tails feasting along the fence line , over by the edge a large jack rabbit lumbers about seeking the perfect foliage to devour for breakfast . A far better scene to start my day than watching the talking heads on some TV show , their plastic faces and artificial hair defying gravity and practicing their verbosity on the millions of unsuspecting viewers that think that they are telling the truth or possibly giving them some bit of information that matters . Not to sound bitter , just happened to come across a couple of blogs last night that set me off . Supposed travelers seeking a better way of life , much like I. Their first action upon arriving at an RV park or camp ground set up the satelite dish , don't want to miss the latest goings on in whatever inane show is the flavor of the moment . On the other side of the coin there are some younger members of the RV set out there discovering America and finding out how to be self sufficient , raising their families , making a living , and still find time to enjoy life . The blog that got me started on this rant is http://tumblewagon.com/2009/05/11/the-rv-community/ , these young folks get it ! At least they are doing what appears to make more sense than sitting in an urban quagmire moaning about how bad things are and how hard life is . They aren't the only ones , just happen to folow them , I like to see how they view some of the same things I've seen and their reactions .
Rant over !
Progress on the deck is good , yesterday was kind of a lay day , pretty windy with quite a few dust devils . Made for a poor work day . Since this isn't a contract job we sat on the porch and drank ice tea . Worked on it some this morning and will probably finish the majority of work today . Still in the throes of picking out the covering , may need a trip to Safford to  Home Depot for that .
Just a casual observation , folks seem to be fairly upset with all the bone heads making jokes about various known figures in the news . They need to read or re-read Robert Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land , most all comedy is painful to someone , start censoring one be ready to censor them all and do it fairly . In most cases thumb screws work well !
Some pictures of the deck in progress .
Stay tiuned .....

 

 

Running the loop / Doing a Lazy Sunday

An unwelcome early morning wake up yesterday , old friend pain showed up and just wouldn't leave ! No telling what set it off , maybe the way I slept or could be just too much activity , at any rate along about 5:30AM  I was wide awake and though I'm not saying I was bright eyed and bushy tailed , I was AWAKE . No chance of sleep now , get up , do the coffee thing , sit down answer a couple of E-mails , wait for the sun and listen to the birds start their routine , finally figured out why they like the roof of the trailer so much .  Water ! Moisture condenses on the roof top at night and the little fellers get up there in the morning to have a drink . Wish I could train them to hit the button on the coffee machine , would save me all of two steps ! Anyway , after the sun started it's ascent , I once again decided to avoid the inernet news and load the van for a road trip . No particular destination , but , I am known for having a loop to ride to clear my head and do a little therapy thinking . Checking the list for a trip ; extra water , gas can , some snacks , cell phone , yeah , a beautiful day and a full gas tank . I'm good to go ! Out on highway 80 , up through Granite Gap and take the road to Cotton City that runs across the valley . Cruising slow and easy checking out the ranches , here's the road to Lords burg or over to Animas . Left or right ? Take the left to Lordsburg , I can stop and get an ice tea and have a bathroom break , even if it means a few miles on the interstate . AHHHHH! the traffic , the noise , the damn trucks traveling at light speed , and the smell ! I had to roll the window up ! An exit was spyed promising a way to Silver City / Deming  , works for me . I'd rather crawl through broken glass than drive on the interstate ! Here we go , ice tea firmly gripped onto a road I can deal with back to a normal speed , a signpost directs me towards Deming , rail road tracks to my right and wide open desert on my left this back road takes me all the way over to Rt 11 and down to Deming . As I perambulate around town I don't see much activity . It's Sunday morning and not many businesses are open , a few restaurants getting started . A few more empty buildings since I was here last , the big grocery finally has closed it's doors , guess Wally world was too much for them , back to RT11 and down towards Columbus ,traffic is light except for State Police and Border Patrol . Outside of town the fields are greening up a couple of machines out baling the first cutting of hay , a couple of fields ready for planting , a pecan grove being groomed for the summer . A real wake up is the many empty houses along the road , I mean nice places , what's up with that ? Have to ask Cissy when I see her on Tues . Down in Columbus even less activity than Deming , this drug / border thing is really hurting them , stopped at the gas station at the intersection of RT 11 and RT 9 to gas up and practice my bad spanish . Remember in the desert a full gas tank is a happy gas tank !
Taking a right onto Rt9 {Pancho Villa's was closed for brakfast / lunch ?] and the journey homewards was started . once you leave Columbus there is wide open desert all the way to Hatchita , on your left you are looking into Mexico and the wasteland that comprises the natural border that separates us from that country .

I'm sure everyone is aware of the illegals thing , here is what they have to come through to get here ..








I'm not making any judgments or saying who is right or wrong , this is what an illegal will endure to get into this country , miles and miles of it !

Traveling onwards towards Hatchita and finding it even more desolate than I remembered , continued towards Animas . The only surprise was at the Playa training station , it looks like an interstate exchange out in the middle of the desert ! Not a thing for miles in any direction , it just sits there awaiting the hoards of people it was designed to accommodate . More on this later . Just outside of Animas there is this little turnout with a marker and some stock pens ,

 

 

 

Doesn't look like much does it ?







Here's the surounding countryside ,

                                              

Like I said , pretty much wide open spaces , imagine coming through here 80 to 100 years ago the only sign of civilization would be those stock pens and the rail road tracks , I expect they would be a welcome sight! Perhaps even water ! I trundled over through Animas and started the ride down the pass to rodeo . Rusty's was a welcome sight from the hilltop and as I turned into the Ranch , Bob and June sitting on the porch taking the afternoon breeze was picture perfect . A quick stop to regale them of my trip and over to my comfort spot to hold the couch hostage with a fan on me !!
Stay tuned ...