Tombstone, AZ

Tombstone, AZ

Silver City, New Mexico

Today's road trip takes us to Silver City, New Mexico. Once known as la Ciénega de San Vicente (the Marsh of St. Vincent), the founding of the town occurred in the summer of 1870 shortly after the discovery of silver ore deposits at Chloride Flat.

Today's forecast high in Deming: 81°F; in Silver City: 74°F.

 

Pancho Villa and Columbus, New Mexico

Our road trip today we went to Columbus, New Mexico. Columbus is considered a place of historical interest, as the scene of the attack in 1916 by Mexican revolutionary leader Francisco "Pancho" Villa, that caused America to send 10,000 troops there in the Punitive Mexican Expedition.

On March 9, 1916, on the orders of Mexican revolutionary leader Francisco "Pancho" Villa, five hundred men attacked the town, which was garrisoned by a detachment of the 13th Cavalry Regiment. Villa's army burned a part of the town and killed seven or eight soldiers and 10 residents before retreating back into Mexico.

President Woodrow Wilson responded to the Columbus raid by sending 10,000 troops under Brigadier General John J. Pershing to Mexico to pursue Villa. This was known as the Punitive Mexican Expedition or Pancho Villa Expedition. The expedition was eventually called off after failing to find Villa, who had successfully escaped. The Pershing expedition brought prosperity and international attention to Columbus and a realization that war had come to the border of the United States.

Columbus is also noted as the location where the 1st Aero Squadron claims the distinction of the first American aviation unit to engage in combat operations in US history.

Deming, New Mexico

We have made it Deming, New Mexico where we are staying at the El Rancho Lobo RV Park. We'll be here until Monday Feb 22nd them head toward Tombstone, AZ. We left Roswell just in time today. Today's temperature got up to 92.3°F. It's a lot cooler here in Deming at 81°F.

New Awnings

We got the new awnings installed on the motorhome today. They look good. Some of the fabric was 20 years old so they were due to be replace.

Back on the road tomorrow with tomorrow's destination being Deming, New Mexico. Deming is where Steven Spielberg started filming the movie "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" on June 18, 2007. Our route will take us right through White Sands National Monument.

Fort Sumner, New Mexico

Today's road trip we took a side trip to Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Fort Sumner is where Billy the Kid was killed and buried in December 1880.

Mescalero, New Mexico

Today's road trip took us to the New Mexico villages of Ruidoso and Mescalero. The Village of Mescalero is the seat of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.

 

 

Lincoln County, New Mexico

Today's road trip took us to the towns of Lincoln, Capitan and to the Valley of Fires in Lincoln County, New Mexico. Lincoln was put on the map by Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County wars. Capitan is where Smokey Bear is burried. Valley of Fires is a 1500-5000 year old lava fiend.

  

 

  

  

  

UFO Museum & Research Center

While in Roswell a visit to the UFO Museum & Research Center is a must. 

http://www.roswellufomuseum.com/

New Mexico, the "Land of Enchantment"

We have made it to New Mexico, the "Land of Enchantment". Nancy and I made it to Roswell, New Mexico around 12 noon today first stopping at the RV service center. They are going to replace the main awning and arms and all the fabric for the 3 window awnings and door awning. In the meanwhile, we'll be here for about a week staying at the Midway RV Park.

Fort Stockton, TX

We stopped in Fort Stockton, TX for the night. While in Fort Stockton I had to take Nancy to see Paisano Pete, the giant roadrunner. Tomorrow we will head 216 miles northwest to Roswell, New Mexico for about a week to look for UFOs and aliens (Roswell UFO Crash - July 7th, 1947). We also have to try to get some work done on the motorhome. Today while driving west on I-10, the wind caught the main awning and pulled it out bending the frame. I've filed a claim already with my insurance company.

Alley Oop Fantasy Land - Irran, Texas

Nancy and I took an out-of-the-way tour of Alley Oop Fantasy Land in Irran, TX. Most people don't know this place is here. I found it 20 years ago when I lived in Midland, TX.

Oh! Lions and tigers and bears! Oh, my!

A trip to San Antonio area for an animal lover isn't complete without a visit to the San Antonio Zoo. There were even a couple of old goats in the petting zoo. If Barbara was with us she would have loved their pink flamingos.

A Visit to the Alamo and San Antonio Riverwalk

Nancy and I took a sidetrip to San Antonio, TX today to visit the Alamo. While there we also took a boat ride along the San Antonio Riverwalk.