Day 30 - Silver City, New Mexico

 

It was recommended that we take a ride into Silver City, New Mexico a place consistently rated one of the BEST SMALL TOWNS in America  - one of the nation's best places to visit, live and retire. It is rated as one of the “Top ELEVEN Retirement Spots” by Kiplinger.  So we  decided to check it out for ourselves.

The discovery of silver brought thousands of miners and merchants to Silver City causing it to spring to life during the summer of 1870. The town’s founders decided that Silver City would be “built to last.” In 1880, an ordinance was passed requiring  masonry construction for new buildings in the city limits leaving behind  solid commercial buildings, brick Victorian homes and adobe structures.

Several devastating floods between 1890 and 1910 washed away the original Main Street and all but one of its brick buildings. (So much for “built to last.” ) The stately Warren House by the Market Street pedestrian bridge is the sole survivor.

Ron took some  pictures of the photos hanging in the museum showing the devastation of main street during one of the floods.

                                     

                                       

We stopped to take a look at the “ditch” that was once Main Street.

The Silver City Main Street Project has provided comprehensive downtown revitalization services  since 1985. Now the city has over 200 retail and service businesses,art studios, government services, nonprofits, churches and schools.

 

                                                           

Silver City has become an artisans community.

     

The sidewalks here are very high at times requiring stairs to get to them.

We stopped at the Silver City Museum and the volunteer there originated from Portland, Maine. She and her husband moved to Silver City one year ago to get out of the cold. (good move)

  

                      

The museum contains two floors of  Silver City history and the third floor is the cupola affording a view of the entire town. I did go up to the second floor but opted out of the third floor vista.

There were many displays of art work on the walls in town.

  

  

                                             

We took a ride up to Boston Hill to a great spot overlooking the entire of Silver City.  There was structure on top of the overlook that I was hoping was a rest room but it was  a small chapel that was closed.

        

Some other interesting buildings in Silver City.

 

                                                      

An unusual  lamp post.

On our way back to the CG we stopped for an ice cream then some grocery shopping. At the CG we were once again gifted with another beautiful sunset reflected on the mountains.

                             

There is a storm front coming in from the west coast that is predicted to be bringing much needed rain to the area along with 50 mph winds. Not gusts of wind but steady 50 mph winds. Our plan is to move out in the morning heading to Tombstone, Arizona. Yes, if all goes well, after 30 days we will finally be in Arizona!

Day 29– City of Rocks State Park, Faywood, New Mexico

The drive to Faywood was along  another long and lonely road.

With nothing but brown grass and tumbleweed.

             

We arrived around noon and were lucky enough to get one of the two remaining sites available with water and electric. There are only 10 sites with w/e but four of them are taken by camp hosts/volunteers.

The wind was whipping with gust of 35 mph and we soon found out this is the norm here.

 

We were adjacent to a working windmill that pumps water when it is turning in the wind. And it was spinning furiously in the wind when we arrived.

We walked to the visitor center and spoke with the volunteer who gave us a  geological education on the rock formations in the park. They were formed from volcanic ash that was so hot it fused together. The eruption occurred 38 miles from here and what we see today is what is left after years of erosion.  It is quite beautiful and reminds us of the Vedauwoo’s in Wyoming but on a smaller scale.

  

                     

 

                                  

 

                

We took a ride up to the observation area where the wind was gusting at 50 mph. We both thought we were going to get blown away.

                     

Needless to say we were thrilled to be able to find another beautiful place to stay.

The end of another wonderful day on the road. Tomorrow we will go into Silver City to take in the what the historic town has to offer.

Day 28–Rockhound State Park, Deming, New Mexico

We woke to bright sunshine again this morning with the temp in the high  40’s. It starts out with a chill but ends up around 75 degrees.

Not much to do around here but enjoy the good weather and views. Ron and Jewel took a hike up the hill. The original plan was for me to go with them  but both my knees were quite painful so I opted out.

Later that day we took a ride to the Spring Canyon Recreation Area. It was closed so we went back to the MH to enjoy the evening and wait for the sunset.  We’ll check it out again in the morning before we leave.

                      

The road to and from Spring Canyon Recreation Area has an 18% grade – not a road  you would want to travel in a MH!

 Such a beautiful sunset!                                 

It was a great two days at this beautiful oasis and tomorrow we will be moving on to City of Rocks State Park.

Day 27–Rockhound State Park, Deming, New Mexico

We left this morning for Rockhound State Park about 80 miles from here. It was a leisurely ride and we arrived around noon. It is a small CG located in the hills with good rock hunting if that is your thing.

We were lucky enough to get a great site with beautiful views plus water and electric for only $14.00 a night. It is the little piece of solitude and heaven we have been looking for.

                                             

We couldn’t believe we had such a great site with views of the mountains and valley so doubled check to make sure  it wasn’t a handicapped or reserved site.

   

Views from our site.

                                             

                                       

We decided just to kick back and relax for the rest of the day. We had a light lunch in the sun and enjoyed the good weather. Later we took a ride down to the visitor center.

We spoke to the woman in the  center who provided us with some good info regarding rock digging. Something we weren’t planning on doing. We went back to the camp site to enjoy the rest of the day.

As the evening approached the, clouds moved in so we didn’t get the sunset or the starry skies we were hoping for. Maybe tomorrow evening. We shall see.