January 2004 .............

Late December finds us heading for the Texas Hill Country for a few days, because New Mexico is having a cold snap. When the weather cleared we went on to Las Cruces NM to visit Con & Susan Helback, motor home friends now living there. Visited La Mesilla, a charming town dating from the 1800's. Billy the Kid was tried for murder in the courthouse that still stands today. Outside of Las Cruces is Three Rivers Petroglyph site. The petroglyph's are outstanding examples of prehistoric Jornada (a group of prehistoric Native Americans) rock art. A good day trip is to Ruidoso, NM to see The Museum of the Horse. One of the best exhibits is Free Spirits at Noisy Water, eight larger than life horses at the museum enterance. The trip to Ruidoso is part of the Billie the Kid Scenic Bi-way.

Enchanted Rock State Nature Area Fredericksburg TX	Bat Tower - Built in 1918 to attract & house bats so they would eat mosquitoes. It's one of 16 built in the US - it didn't work. Fredericksburg TX

Free Spirit at Noisy Water - Ruidoso NM	Three Rivers Petroglyph Site - NM

Dripping Springs is a wonderful place in the mountains 17 miles from Las Cruces. We hiked to the site of an old resort. It was built in the 1870's by a nephew of the founder of the Butterfield Stage Line, and served by a regular stage from Las Cruces. Pat Garrett and Poncho Villa, among other famous people stayed there. In 1917 it was purchased by a physician and converted into a TB sanatorium. In 1988 it became the property of the BLM and they are making an effort to restore it.

Do You Want to Dance? - This is a Real Cactus With Dead Blooms

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