We are getting to know some of the people here at the Ranch. They are a lot different than the ones at the Lone Star Corral in Hondo, but very nice. We talked yesterday at happy hour about playing Bridge. They did round up enough for two tables this evening. A lot of fun with new players that bid differently but we finally got used to each others methods and it worked out well. The only problem is that one couple will be leaving in the morning to go back to Kansas for repairs and another will be leaving next week for the Texas valley where it is warmer. We will be leaving probably Tuesday for warmer climates as well toward Las Cruces, NM and on to Deming the following day. Our trip will take us to Alamogordo, NM about 9000' but is a gradual climb. However on the way down is a 10% grade that might be a challenge with our rig. will let you know how it goes. We will probably be staying at the Dream Catcher SKP park, in Deming, for a few days then head toward Arizona.
Our photo is of the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns. It has changed a lot since we were hear many years ago but still should be on your must see list when you are in the area.
Today we took a trip to the town of Artesia which is just a few miles north of The Ranch. This is a very nice little town that appears to have been very well restored in the downtown section with gardens and sculptures. It appears to be a fairly wealthy town as there is a refinery and lots of oil wells and cattle ranches around. They do some irrigating and are raising cotton as well as alfalfa for hay. There is also a large dairy along the highway that appeared to have several hundred milk cows. Apparently they are milked in outside sheds as a shelter from the heat and the rain.