A Sentimental Journey

(Click on photo to enlarge.)

These are the Organ Mountains, and this photo clearly shows why they were so named.

The dogs and I got up this morning, had breakfast before 8:AM, took a walk around the park, and decided to take a road trip for the day. I got out a magazine about Las Cruces and things to do there, and decided to take US Hwy. 70 northeast through San Augustine Pass, where you go over/through the Organ Mountains, to a place called Aguirre Springs. I had read on the internet that it's dog-friendly, and an easy hike. I figure "Aguirre" translates in English to "dry; never been any water here" because there ain't a drip to be found within sight of the horizon. We walked around for about 45 minutes; it was a steep hike on paved roadway and my legs were killing me by the time we finished. Can you say Out Of Shape?

Some friendly fellow touristas agreed to take a photo of the three of us. I'm having trouble loading photos, so it's on the next post.

It was still early so I decided to turn further east when we exited Aguirre Springs and see what we could see. Almost immediately, we had come to White Sands Missile Range. There's not a lot to see on the Range; for the most part, it's closed to the public. I knew Alamogordo wasn't too far, so we just kept going.

About 45 minutes into the Range, I came upon White Sands National Monument. I entered, of course; it had been roughly 50 years since I'd seen it. We paid our fee (dogs are permitted) and walked a little through their Dune Life Nature Trail. Now, you talk about a leg workout?! The dogs were totally into it; that soft, white sand, and they scampered up the dunes very quickly, while I sort of slogged after them. We came upon a family of two adults and four kids - the same configuration of my family when we made our trip so very long ago. Another tourist snapped a quick photo for us. Again, see next post.

By this time, it was about 12:30PM and I was feeling hungry. Just a few minutes further east on Hwy. 70, we came to Holloman AFB and the town of Alamogordo, which has, of all things, an Applebee's Restaurant, which Las Cruces doesn't. The dogs napped in the car (not to worry: it was only about 80 degrees F.) and I went in for a spinach and grilled shrimp salad, which just hit the spot.

We left and got back to Las Cruces by 3:30PM. The dogs are now napping, and I'm thinking of going to Walmart for a few groceries.

It's been a great day; I should take those one-day road trips with the dogs more often! Oh, by the way: Oor's gas mileage is terrific! That little thing runs for about a week or ten days before it needs refilling, unlike the beast, Van Go, which, when we're traveling, sometimes needs fuel twice a day. Yeah: OUCH!