White Sand, Aliens and Texas

Monday p.m.

We’ve been looking at the weather and it looks like the next few days will be good for travel. Here in Wichita Falls the winds have let up and the temperatures have gone down. Have finally decided what way we are going to go from here. We’re heading north on the I-44 through Oklahoma City and Tulsa then into Missouri. Probably only get as far as Tulsa tomorrow. In Las Cruces after getting back from the Missile Range we visited Mesilla just south of town.
It was founded in 1848 after the Mexican War by a group of Mexican settlers. The town was once a major stop for the Butterfield Stagecoach. This is one of the original brick buildings built in 1860. It is still in use as a gift shop.

One other claim to fame the town has is Billy the Kid stood trial for murder here and then escaped. Didn’t take many pictures as most of the buildings were plain adobe and have been fully restored and now are gift shops. Kind of reminded me of our hometown in Indiana except with a southwest look. Lots of places to eat and gift shops.
From Las Cruces we drove over the mountains to Roswell. Past White Sands National Monument – just a glance of some of the white sand.

And what is this? A check point? Yep, a border patrol check point. All vehicles had to stop. All they asked was, “Where is your next stop?”

“Why Roswell of course,” we answered. The Border Patrol agent laughed, shook his head and waved us on.
On the outskirts of Alamogordo we passed this giant pistachio nut. I’d just seen it on line a few days earlier as one of the strange roadside sites in the U.S. Wow – I can cross it off my list now.

Now that's a big nut!

Over the mountains through the big Mescalaro Apache Reservation.

Then through Lincoln County where Pat Garrett was sheriff and where the Lincoln County War was. Kind of interesting reading Link http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-lincolncountywar.html We also passed through the little town of Ruidoso – why do I mention that? Well today I saw on the news that there is a wild fire there – glad we got through when we did.

Stayed at the Trailer Village RV Park in Roswell. Very nice park just on the east edge of town. If you’re ever there I recommend it. Also recommend the Cowboy Café for breakfast and/or lunch. It’s just a little place but very good.
Drove around downtown Roswell for a while – just looking at the residents.

Well Hello There!

Copy of a newspaper from the time.

Was there a flying saucer crash or not? It's still a mystery.
Just some fun things - party time.

A body?

We left the next morning for Lubbock where we spent the night. The trip was uneventful – lots of country without much scenery and lots of wind.

From Lubbock we continued on to Wichita Falls. Did manage to watch both NASCAR races over the weekend. Go Kyle – he is now first in points. Two good races.
We’re staying at the Wichita Falls RV Park here. Very nice place. Big level spaces, good WiFi. Haven’t done much of anything except go to Home Depot – still looking for the spigot and to Wal*Mart – where we finally found the spigot.
Going to watch the basketball game tonight then get ready to leave tomorrow morning.