It was a short ride from Columbus, New Mexico to City of Rocks. We arrived at 10 am. This is a view of the campground. Our rv is the second from the left.
We like the campground with one exception, it doesn't have a dump station. We are going to be careful with water usage here as we want to stay awhile. It will be our base to visit Silver City, Gila Cliff Dwellings, Pinos Altos and other places of interest in the area. 
After camp was set and we had a bit of lunch, Bob and I set off to walk the Hydra Trail around the park. The trail began by winding through the desert area east of the campground. We rested at the bench under the only tree in the area. 
The trail wound through the desert and then back into the rock area.
We climbed in and around the rocks. Native Americans lived here long ago.
You can look at the rocks and find different shapes in them. Joyce thinks this one looks like the eye of a dragon.
Some places it was too difficult for Bob to run back to be in the picture.
Saturday evening there was a gorgeous sunset. The clouds looked like red velvet before it was finished.
Sunday we packed a lunch and set off for the Gila Cliff Dwellings. We visited there in the late 70s when Bobby and Jennifer were very young. It was one of our favorite places to camp when Bob was stationed at Ft. Bliss.We drove on New Mexico SR 15 which part of the scenic byway through the forest. It is a very narrow road that reminded me of KY 1427, only this time we were in the CRV, not the rv!
The weather was supposed to be bad for the day, but occasionally there were bright spots.
We saw this rainbow around several turns. At one point we could see both ends, but not the middle.
On the scenic drive we passed the Continental Divide at two different places.
The 40 mile drive takes about 2 hours because of the winding mountain road.
We toured the visitor center before driving to the trailhead of the cliff dwellings. We weren't sure if we would make the one mile hike because the weather wasn't cooperating. It was windy and rainy with a bit of sleet.
We sat in the car to eat lunch. The weather once again cleared so we set off for the cliff dwellings. We are about halfway up in this picture.
This is a view of the dwellings from just below on the trail. The Mogollon people lived here in the 1200s.
People speculate as to the uses of the cliff Some believe they were dwellings, others believe they were ceremonial rooms. The location is not one that could be easily defended and the collection of water would be difficult for the number of people the rooms would hold.
This is a view from inside one of the dwellings.
The dwellers even built walls inside the caves.
The ceilings are heavily marked with soot. Some of the ceilings have fallen over the years. The black marks on these rocks are soot.
We enjoyed seeing the dwellings again. I think the hike was easier this time since we weren't carrying Bobby and Jennifer as on our last visit.
We completed the scenic drive which took us past Santa Rita Copper Mine and this time the big trucks were running! They are huge!To complete the day we stopped at Silver City's Wal-Mart to purchase bread and milk. Monday is supposed to be another cold day so we may just stay at the campground and finish walking the trail. (Saturday we cut across the rocks to find a cache).
2 comments:
Well you guys sure look like your having fun. Lynn said she thought Bob looked cold. HE HE! Have fun. Cecil
We are having fun! This is the life. We're going sightseeing again today. Check us out later and see what we've done.
Joyce and Bob
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