The GPS tells us that the distance to Las Cruces (City of Crosses) is about 300 miles (500km). We returned the rental car in Tucson, and took off south towards the junction of the borders of New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. We decided that El Paso was just a touch too far for the drive today, and settled on Las Cruses as an intermediate stopover in a highly recommended RV park.
The drive through ever changing desert scenery was an eye opener. Not far out of Tucson the Saguaro cactus disappeared, and there was more vegetation - mainly scrub, cactus and then prairie grasses. The whole area is surrounded by mountains, and driving across the floor of the valley gave us some great scenic backdrops.
The speed limit through this part of the desert is 75mph (120km) and our RV copes well with this speed. We are still not the fastest rig on the road - trucks and other RV's speed past, but we are comfortable driving at this speed - the roads are well made and wide, and there are police cars everywhere. Brian and Rod are taking turns at driving - about 1.5 hours at a stretch.
We stopped a few times en route. One of the stops was at an Indian Trading Post, where there were thousands of artefacts on sale - most made in China !! They also sell fireworks in this part of the world - and the trading post had all kinds and sizes, and even had a package deal for $600 - a real bargain - wonder how we can get them back to Oz?
After a stop at Wal Mart for more provisions, we made it to Las Cruces well before dark, and found a great KOA campground with sensational views over the town and surrounding mountains. And GREAT WIFI. We can now catch up on the Blog.
We managed to find a great little patio with comfy chairs and we spent a lovely evening watching the lights below us and planning the activities of tomorrow.
One funny incident occurred when Rod and Helen both headed for the shower block. Neither knew at the time that they had neglected to take a towel with them, and Rod managed to dry himself on the bath mat from the disabled shower. Helen was not as lucky, as someone was using the disabled shower, so she had to dry herself with the shorts she had been wearing.
You have to laugh.
Brian continues to be Mr Social - at every opportunity he disappears, and we know instantly that he is prowling the RV park looking for someone to talk to. He never fails to find some poor traveller with an ear to bend. I must say however, that he often comes back with a snippet of information on destinations, RV parks or the like. He is our official information gatherer.
Tomorrow we are going to head into El Paso, Texas, and we will book into an RV park that has been recommended (to Brian of course). From there we plan to hire a car and see the sights. There is a cable car that looks interesting, and we might look for the famed "Roses Cantina".
Cheers from New Mexico,
I can just see Brian being Mr Social. At least he is getting to know the locals and hopefully getting good info. Will laugh if one of his recommendations you end up in a whore house! what are the 'Roses Cantina', never heard of it, will have to do a google search. With the heat you are getting, I am surprised you would even need a towel after showering. just stand out in the sun for 1/2 hour an hey presto.you are dry. When you are in El Paso hope you try out the tacos.
ReplyDeleteThe Trekkie