Fort Stanton, Lincoln

   Today was a full day of playing tourist. We had last visited the following site in May of 2007. A lot has changed in those nineteen years and all for the better. First up what was a merchant marine cemetery. In 2007 it was a tad overgrown and looked forgotten. Now it is a state veterans cemetery with a lot of improvements.

The grounds are well kept and nice new facilities. There are many graves here and a lot came from Fort Stanton which you will  learn more about soon.

 Now on to Fort Stanton which has a long history. Read more about it HERE. When we last were in this area there was no visitor center. Happily there is now. Always enjoy learning about history.

 They have many buildings and exhibits covering the many years and usages of the fort.

The fort played a role in the next stop on our historical journey. If you are not familiar with the Lincoln County wars, watch the old John Wayne movie "Chisum" or if seek reality, not Hollywood go HERE.

 At any rate the town has been preserved pretty as it was in those days. A lot to see and learn about a turbulent time in New Mexico history.

 Now we move up the road to Capitan New Mexico. Still on a historical theme. Those of a certain age remember Smokey the Bear. Star of many commercials about fire safety years ago. The original Smokey was found outside Capitan after a fire. Upon his death he came home. More details HERE. The facilities are vastly improved since our last visit, but for the better.

And on that same historical theme, a blast from the past, circa 2007.

on to Santa Fe tomorrow in search of rosebuds...

Cloudcroft

  Scenes from our day trip to Cloudcroft

gather ye rosebuds while ye may

Long day

  After the passage of many years, one tends to forget how desolate west Texas and eastern New Mexico. Only300 miles from Big Spring to Ruidoso, but seemed much further. Quick visit to the Inn of the mountain gods for some Apache tacos, (made with fry bread). Played a bit in the casino and we both came out ahead by $ 50.

easy day today gathering rosebuds

New Mexico

 Finally a trip we did not have to cancel. Monday June 22nd found us departing for New Mexico. As we had decided to take it easy our first stop was Big Spring Texas. Have driven past on the interstate but do not remember ever having gone thru Big Spring.

 An opportunity for something different presented itself, and true to form I took it. We have enjoyed prior stays at old, historic hotels. Some examples are the Strater in Durango Colorado. Info HERE and the Commodore in Linden Tennessee. info HERE. So what does that have  to do with Big Spring Texas? I present you with the Settles hotel, info HERE

  A far cry from your typical chain motel. As nice in person as it appears on the internet

Moral to the story is take the road less traveled.

carpe diem

2025 wrap up

  2025 shall best be described as the year of cancellations. All major trips ended up being cancelled. Health issues won out. We did sneak away to Blanco for three nights. Purpose was to view Christmas lights. Call it successful. Also spent three nights at Meridian over Christmas. I was sick the whole time but we achieved our goals. Call it a success. Refuse to even make reservations for 2026 at this time. The spring is already shot, ability to go to high country in question so summer seems uncertain. We shall improvise, adapt and overcome as required....

All good things must end

  After a nearly 9 hour drive we arrived safely back home. Had fun, relaxed, met some interesting people, visited 2 state parks. I call that success. The goal was to separate ourselves from the tragedy of the flood. We came home to an empty field where debris trucks were staged when we left. Progress. Sadly an excavator was working right beside our community pier. Terrible job that needs doing to try and bring closure for Celi's family. Let us hope they are successful quickly.

 Next up beginning September 26th, a six week excursion thru the Ozarks. Things to see and do.

resting till next time...   

Playing tourist

  Today was a light schedule day. Some shopping, some history and touristy things. First on the agenda was an historic section of old route 66, the Mother Road. Sadly it was not as we remembered it to be. Instead of quaint shops, mostly bars. No picture perfect murals to capture nostalgia. No problem we have other opportunities in our near future. Next up was some shopping and that was both successful, surprising and informative. We went to Hobby lobby and were surprised at it's size, probably three times the size of the one at home. We were able to secure a few yards of batting for our quilts. Next up came a small quilt store across street from Hobby Lobby. I scored some route 66 fabric and some neutrals. Ended up recounting our flood story to some ladies. Doing so got us all choked up. The Big lots store in Kerrville closed and is being replaced with an Ollie's. One was nearby so we stopped in to get an idea of what to expect. Don't believe we will be a valued customer by any stretch.

 If one travels at all, you quickly learn about tourist traps. Amarillo has a big, well known one. Fully aware of what we were going to, off we went to the Big Texan steak house. Some times you just have to check off a tourist trap list of places to visit. No plans ever to return, but our meals were decent.

No, we did not try and eat a five pound chunk of meat...

carpe diem