Home from the mountain......
We're back from a short vacation to the mountains of New Mexico. Julie's folks are building a house at about 7,800 ft. in elvation in the Alto area of Ruidoso and so we accompanied them to check construction progress and to enjoy the cool mountain air and just to relax. With the day time temps reaching only into the 70's and the 50's at night we had a good break from the late summer heat of West Texas.
Besides checking with the builder, we mainly just bummed around during the days and constructed a monster crossword puzzle at night. A great way to relax. The highlight Saturday was a trip over to the Inn of the Mountain Gods the Apache Indian resort that I have not visited in over 20 years. And what change in those years. The resort is now nothing short of amazing, having grown in scope and quality since my last visit. I think that the Apache's are raking it in.
Sunday was a big race day at the horse track in Ruidoso and so we had to try our luck and just enjoy the race crowd, an interesting crowd to say the least. Somewhat a combination of a NASCAR and State Fair of Texas group but well behaved and fun to be around, except for the cowboy at the end of our row who talked non-stop for the entire 5 hours we were there. I think he used to be a woman. Julie's Dad befriended the young hispanic couple sitting next to him [from Midland no less] and the young woman helped Don plan his betting and come out ahead.
Coming back on Monday we, or rather I, had to stop at La Rinconada, which is the Ranch and gallery of artist Peter Hurd. Since I had taken three cameras on the trip I thought I had better be getting some photo shooting accomplished and my fellow travelers were kind enough to allow me this stop. The photo above is of the Hurds polo field in front of their old house, which is now the gallery.
A pleasant long weekend with family and some great vistas. Additionally we got to see the gamut in wildlife along the way including antelope between Hobbs and Artesia New Mexico, mule deer camped out right below our balacony in Alto and most interestingly several groups of wild turkey, one of which almost flew into our car while driving very high up in the mountains.
We're back from a short vacation to the mountains of New Mexico. Julie's folks are building a house at about 7,800 ft. in elvation in the Alto area of Ruidoso and so we accompanied them to check construction progress and to enjoy the cool mountain air and just to relax. With the day time temps reaching only into the 70's and the 50's at night we had a good break from the late summer heat of West Texas.
Besides checking with the builder, we mainly just bummed around during the days and constructed a monster crossword puzzle at night. A great way to relax. The highlight Saturday was a trip over to the Inn of the Mountain Gods the Apache Indian resort that I have not visited in over 20 years. And what change in those years. The resort is now nothing short of amazing, having grown in scope and quality since my last visit. I think that the Apache's are raking it in.
Sunday was a big race day at the horse track in Ruidoso and so we had to try our luck and just enjoy the race crowd, an interesting crowd to say the least. Somewhat a combination of a NASCAR and State Fair of Texas group but well behaved and fun to be around, except for the cowboy at the end of our row who talked non-stop for the entire 5 hours we were there. I think he used to be a woman. Julie's Dad befriended the young hispanic couple sitting next to him [from Midland no less] and the young woman helped Don plan his betting and come out ahead.
Coming back on Monday we, or rather I, had to stop at La Rinconada, which is the Ranch and gallery of artist Peter Hurd. Since I had taken three cameras on the trip I thought I had better be getting some photo shooting accomplished and my fellow travelers were kind enough to allow me this stop. The photo above is of the Hurds polo field in front of their old house, which is now the gallery.
A pleasant long weekend with family and some great vistas. Additionally we got to see the gamut in wildlife along the way including antelope between Hobbs and Artesia New Mexico, mule deer camped out right below our balacony in Alto and most interestingly several groups of wild turkey, one of which almost flew into our car while driving very high up in the mountains.
