Across New Mexico

 Our last night in Texas was at the Van Horn RV Park. Just off of the highway, it had all the basic requirements with one nice addition - Penny's Cafe. We had breakfast there while we did our laundry next door. The chef, Valerie, made us a terrific breakfast and we really enjoyed talking to her. We were the only customers. We made a late start that morning but it was only a 3 hour drive to our next destination, another Harvest Host member, the Rio Grande Winery in Las Cruces, NM. 

There was a big crowd at the Sunday
live music event at the Rio Grande
Winery. We sat out in the sun.

And what a find that was! We had one of our loveliest evenings there, drinking wine and listening to live music on their expansive terrace overlooking the mountains. There was a big crowd and not long after we arrived, a couple next to us asked if we were from Vermont. They had seen our license plate and were in an RV behind us. We joined them for the rest of the evening - great company. We enjoyed the spot so much we asked our host if we could stay one more night and happily, they agreed.

We spent that free day exploring the historic town of Mesilla. The town was settled in 1848 and for several years was disputed territory between the U.S. and Mexico. It was resolved in 1853. It saw action during the Civil War and during the "Wild West" era, was known for its cantinas and festivals. The area attracted such figures as Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and Pancho Villa. It was the most important city in the region until the Santa Fe Railway decided to build through Las Cruces instead. Good thing in a way as its charming historic center, including the Plaza, was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Adobe buildings surround the Plaza and the Basilica which dominates one side. They are now restaurants, art galleries, and shops. For many blocks around, there are beautiful adobe homes, many of them original. We both agreed that this area would be one we would be comfortable spending some time in the winters. Arizona is rather closed down with restaurants only allowed to serve outdoors. We had lunch at the fabulous historic Double Eagle and luckily managed to tour the inside. It is in a beautiful old 1849 home on the Plaza and the Imperial bar is magnificent. To top it off, it is haunted by the ghosts of Armando and Inez, teenage lovers who were stabbed to death by Armando's mother with sewing shears!

The Imperial Bar at the Double Eagle

The covered courtyard was also closed due to 
COVID restrictions

The restaurant felt more like a museum!

The Plaza at Mesilla

Scott plays around on an available saddle in the
front yard of the old adobe home below right.

Our friends Dave and Ellen had suggested we go to Aguilla Campground in the Organ Mountains north of Las Cruces next. Wow! We are sure glad we did. It was one of the most beautiful campsites we've enjoyed. We met our neighbors there and visited for awhile - Bob, who was visiting his daughter at the military base and her 3 kids, and John, who used to live in Vermont. In the afternoon we hiked up the Boylan Pass Trail - nicely designed with switchbacks breaking up the uphill grind. It was a perfect day, 68 degrees and bright sunshine. We're sorry we only had one night there. But we had a schedule to keep, meeting up with Dave & Ellen in two days at Catalina State Park, Tucson, Arizona. And we had had it with long days driving on the highways, so we scheduled one night at an RV Park in Lordsburg, halfway. That gave us time to spend the morning at White Sands National Monument only an hour north of Aguilla. 

The nature trail there gave us a feel for the environment with lots of signs explaining the connections between the vegetation and the animals that live in this seemingly inhospitable place. Scott played a little on the dunes too! We were glad we had an early start as the sun was blinding on the white sand. The trip to Lordsburg was easy on the highway and the RV park basic but was far enough off the highway to be quiet. The next morning we continued west into Arizona.

The view from our campsite at Aguirre. That's our picnic table on the right.

The moon was full during our stay at Terlingua Ranch at Big Bend. We love that but it does dim the
stars. Many of our camping spots have been designated "dark sky destinations". Here at Aguirre
Campgound the moon was waning but visable during the late afternoon.

Heather rests a bit on the way up
to Boylan pass.

We could hear big booms during our hike from
the Army Missile Range down in the desert.

A flock of these bright blue birds flew around us.

Our rig in a sea of white sand!