Arizona Girls Trip - Day 2

It's Day 2 and we are taking a bit of a scenic route due to a timed entry at Hueco Tanks State Park.  It's also a bit of a drive, so we are off and going at a decent time and with breakfast behind us, we make it to Pecos by a little after nine.  There is really  not much time for a stop, but we do grab a couple of boot pics along the way.  These are eight feet tall and there are more than 24 of them along the Pecos Boot Trail.  It would be fun to spend a bit of time and find them all.

Just keep driving, just keep driving.  Such a fun day - we're even driving in snow.

By a little after 12, we are at Hueco Tanks State Park.  It's pretty cold and icky outside, but we're here and going to give it a valiant effort.

Once we are registered, it's off to watch a movie before we can actually walk any trails.

Finally, we are free to roam.  Just outside the Interpretive Center are some fabulous formations all on their own.

Additionally, some remnants of past times.

At this point, it's back in the car and we drive to the selected trailhead.  We are going to Site 17 this morning.  For thousands of years, people have trekked to these rock hills in far west Texas. In earlier times, they came for the rainwater pooled in natural rock basins, or huecos (“whey-coes”).

The paths are watery and we have to watch to carefully or we'll be even more soaked and who wants wet feet?

As we continue, the path gets better - thankfully.

Looking around is pretty cool -- I'm actually loving it.

We come to an area filled with Mescalero Apache pictographs and some historical graffiti.

Well, someone has spotted something that peaks her interest.

Before long, she's on the move.

As she descends, we hear another voice and she has found a ranger who is talking her through the passage.

Meanwhile, back at the pictographs.

We have finally found the whole snake.

There are little faces across the way -- 

Here ya go - Sherri and her ranger

They both return together and we get kind of a private tour back to the car, with the ranger sharing information all along the way.  This was a fantastic stop and if the weather was nicer, we'd stay a lot longer, but it's dang cold out.  I would really like a return trip to hike a bit more and enjoy all that this park has to offer.  It was a great idea, Stephannie.

Now for some lunch.  We're starving.

Olive Garden soup and salad is just a perfect choice.

The respite is wonderful, but it's time to move on.  We are headed to our next stop in Las Cruces.  Along the way we spot a Blake's Lotaburger - something I've never even heard of.

Along with TONS of pistachio trees.

Aha --- Quilt shop stop.  We are at Thread Bear.  We have made it to New Mexico.

It's a cute shop with several ladies sitting and knitting.

On the back of the restroom door is this poster and I am now on the hunt for this pattern.  LOVE it and the store doesn't have it.

Once again, I am purchaseless.  Two for two.  Nearby is The Big Chile Inn, complete with it's very big chile.  They claim world's largest - don't know, but it warrants a stop.

Also --- close by is a Roadrunner that I really want to check out.  This state bird of New Mexico is made completely of recycled materials.  The sculpture stands a whopping 20 feet tall and is composed of old shoes, cell phones, bike parts, and other recycled materials. It was designed by local artist Olin Calk in 1993. It first stood at the Las Cruces Foothills Landfill. The purpose was to draw attention to our consumption habits, the power of recycling, and how much we toss away into landfills. 

True to its purpose, the roadrunner is formed entirely out of discarded material. The sheet metal used to form the shape of the bird came from old tool sheds, roofing metals, and other secondhand sources. Olin remarked that the black-and-white palette of most appliances matches the colors of a roadrunner, giving a wide selection of materials to work with. The detail of the head is very interesting to look at. Old shoes give the appearance of feathers, while the eyes are formed from Volkswagen headlights and bicycle tires.

And with that stop - we are off to our AirBNB in Deming.  It's lovely and we are ready for some down time.

However, dinner first.  We find The Happy Camper online and head that way.

What a find.  This place is soooo fun and we have just the best time.  Sherri says, "Oh look, there's a band."

Food and drink are excellent --- great night for all.

I'm not sure we ordered enough food.  Mercy.

Home at last --- Cindy is keeping the bad guys away tonight --- we're just joking.  Time for sleep.