Truth or Consequences New Mexico

The sun sets on our time at Riverbend Hotsprings.  It has been a positive experience overall and we enjoyed the people we worked with and those that passed through visiting the Hot Springs.  If you look closely at the Mountain behind the tee pee you can see how it got the name Turtleback.

One visitor we had for a while was a Swan but he seems to have moved on now that the River is flowing again.

T or C is a small town with 2 main roads, one going into Town and the other looping back out of Town. 

They have a very nice Museum - Geronimo Springs Museum 

We got free entry into the Museum the day we visited because the log cabin was closed - oops someone forgot to close the door! 

They have an incredible collection of Mimbres Pottery 

As well as other Indian artifacts. 

The namesake - though he doesn't look too happy about it :) 

Outside there is a beautiful little park with fountains 

Though some of the town is run down trailer parks, people are discovering the town and its Mineral Hot springs and are cleaning it up and some of the architecture is really unique.  Like these fences 

Every morning we would walk to the Rotary Park on the Rio Grand River with Tucson 

Occasionally he would meet up with a furry friend 

or, sometimes a feathered one!

We'd follow the path up to the ridge where the trail overlooked the river and lead to a nice picnic pavilion. 

Only a couple days left to see the nearby sights!

Another bonus of staying still for a month - I finally finished the Screen Door!

Till Later!

Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n

Melissa, Gary & Tucson

Till Later!

Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n

Melissa, Gary & Tucson

Monticello Ghost Town and a Hike through Monticello Box Canyon

We decide to take a drive to hike Monticello Box Canyon and visit the ghost town of Monticello which we missed on our drive to Chloride.

We couldn't see it coming as the Hill was blocking the view! 

Then of course by the time we figured out this sign we were almost off the end of the road!

But we finally made it into Monticello

Not a lot to the Town,  the 1867 San Ignacio Catholic Church still stands and is attended by parishoners.  The town was renamed for one of its original settlers from Monticello NY.

I think this was one of the first Schools without Walls. 

Not sure where we are going from here as the directions are sketchy - the canyon and the place where Geronimo was captured are not published as they are on private land.  We stop at the Winston General Store to gas up just in case.  Surprisingly the gas in this one store town is cheaper than in Truth or Consequences.

After turning down a road and ending up on someones ranch, we are given directions by the rancher, We head to the Canyon and go past these guys - the other white meat!


 we soon find the 4 wheel drive road in. 

We know we're in the right spot when we see this sign.  Geronimo was captured here in 1877.  This is where the Warm Springs Apaches used the waters known as Ojo Caliente

We follow the flow upstream

and end up at the Warm Springs - Tucson thinks its great!

Head back down and over to the Box Canyon 

Apparently, you can actually drive through the Canyon to the town of Monticello.  Had we known we might have taken that route here.   

But the walk is much more interesting 

and Tucson had a blast

The walk went through some open areas as well.  We walked for a mile or two before turning around.

Bet you can't find me in these bushes! 

In an attempt to dry off Tucson before heading back, Gary tried this method . . . I pointed out that there was the water logged road ahead - so he got the old fashioned towelled off method.

A really cool hike!

Till Later!

Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n

Melissa, Gary & Tucson

Trail of the Mountain Spirits to Gila Cliff Dwelling National Monument

We took the scenic byway known s the Mountain Spirits Trail to the Gila Cliff Dwelling National Monument

We stop at Lake Roberts to have a picnic lunch

Catch the view of the Copperas Mesa

and arrive at the Gila Cliff Dwellings

Because a few unresponsible dog owners ruin it for the rest of us, dogs aren't allowed on the Trail so Tucson is confined to Puppy Prison but he had adjoining Cell mates and it was better than home or the car.  I was glad that they had Kennels - otherwise we would have missed the Dwellings.

A peek from the trail

Getting closer

Room One was a communal kitchen the holes in the floor held pottery containers for cooking

These were the homes of the people of the Mogollon culture who lived in the Gila Wilderness from the 1280s through the early 1300s

It was proclaimed a National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907

You actually get the chance to walk through the dwellings

 Now here's a room with a view!  The dwellings are at 5,875' elevation.  The trail up started at 5695'

Archaeologists have identified 46 rooms in the five caves, and believed they were occupied by 10 to 15 families. It is not known why the dwellings were abandoned

Inside one room is a Pictograph

Of all the cliff dwellings we've visited these are one of the most extensive.

Till Later,

Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n

Melissa, Gary & Tucson