Since We're Here.......

.....we might as well go check out some of the "stuff to see" in the area! 

It's bright and sunny Friday morning, but the expected high is only 47 degrees. The drive to Rockhound State Park is not a long one, and the closer we get to the Florida Mountains the prettier the views become.

We put $5 in the day use envelope and head into the little park. With the exception of hiking trails that lead into the Little Florida Mountains, this part of the park is just the campground and a small (tiny) visitors' center. The real draw here is that you can collect up to 15 pounds of rock, including geodes, jasper, quartz crystals and more, making it a rock hound paradise! Too chilly for these hounds though, so with the VC closed for lunch we check out the nice campground and the amazing views of the valley.

Unobstructed view from Site 13 with electric and water

A massive boulder on the hillside

I think I'll use the other restroom....

Abundant Cane Cholla, Ocotillo and Prickly Pear throughout the park

The Spring Canyon section of the park is in the Florida Mountains. We could spend hours here on a warmer day. Snow remains in the shadows and the breeze blows down the canyon even on an otherwise calm day. Still, we walk the completely empty campsites (tent or small camper, dry only), and watch a hawk riding the sky above. The road here includes a 16% grade, taking us much higher into the mountain. 

The quiet is as mesmerizing as the views.

The VC is very dark inside but has good information on the history, geology, climate and geography of the area. 

When we arrive at the VC we discover that we don't have Tessa's service dog vest. Since we always keep it in the car, and we had it in Hatch, it had to have fallen out at one of two stops yesterday afternoon.

Did I mention before just how good that green chili cheeseburger was? The return to Hatch is worth that second burger, but unfortunately we don't find the vest.

Amazon is delivering the new one to our Roswell address.

Saturday is a screw driver and sponge day. Tightening and cleaning everything that needs it keeps us busy for much of the day.  

I want our steering wheel to do this for the Christmas tree! (nobody was home when I took the pic - I promise)

Tessa and I run a couple errands and take a walk through the park by the old courthouse.

We spend our Sunday the same as most of the country. Happy with the outcome of the game, disappointed in the commercials, and unimpressed by the half-time show, it's another season in the books. Now I'll definitely never know what day it is!

Monday is the big day! We patiently wait until 10:40 when surely FedEx has already delivered our parts.....Jimmy says they haven't come yet. One of us remains optimistic they'll arrive shortly.

Said optimism is rewarded when a little after 11:00 Jimmy calls to confirm they're in!! We break down the rig in record time and drop it off at the shop.

Let's go see another state park!

30 miles south of Deming, on the Mexican border, is the historic village of Columbus, New Mexico. Nearly as large is Pancho Villa State Park.

The campground is on the site of Camp Furlong that was attacked by Pancho Villa in 1916. Interspersed among the campsites (which are laid out in a very bizarre way) are historic sites and ruins. A botanical garden encircles a small hill near the visitors' center.

The history

One of four ruins on site

Probably more recently painted

Botanical garden spirals to the monument on top

The museum is closed, but the grounds are open. We wander through the old equipment and small memorials.

A short drive through the little downtown takes us back to the highway. 

No word yet from the shop so we decide to try the Adobe Deli which we've heard so much about. Expecting good food and a fun environment we are still unprepared for this quirky eatery!

We're not even sure we've found the place except for a faded sign near what might be an open gate. Two large dogs rush us in the parking lot but back off when Bill blocks them from chasing Tessa into the building.

It gets a whole lot better after that. The food is as good as the place is funky. Our waitress suggests we come back on a Saturday night when "the real cowboys all come in, and the cowgirls, and all the drama from town...". Maybe next time :-)))))

Front door greeter

Critters surround the whole room

Waiting for his squadron to call

We have to come back just to see everything - maybe on a Saturday night!

The lot dogs are elsewhere, and we make it back to the car unscathed. It's time to find out what's happening with the slide and exhaust bracket repairs.

And it's ready!! Everything works as it should, completed as promised by Jimmy and his hard-working team.

Without hesitation I recommend Jimmy's RV Service in Deming, NM.  If you're within a couple hundred miles and can drive safely - bring your RV here. Not only competent, but Jimmy really cares that the work is done right. What a pleasure.

Tuesday morning we continue our journey east.