I left Albuquerque and started south on I 25. During the drive I got a case of telephone-itis. I called a bunch of friends and chatted them up. As the day drew on I settled into the trip. I stopped in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. I found a great place for lunch just before it closed; White Coyote Cafe. If ever in T or C, New Mexico get thee to White Coyote and if they have pie order it after eating a delicious lunch.
I had checked the map while stopping here and there and noticed a state park right near the border. The name caught my attention as well as the fact that there were tent sites for cheap. Pancho Villa State Park is in Columbus, New Mexico a border town. I had no idea what to expect; I was nervous about state parks and the perceived vulnerability to robbers, thieves, and more robbers. My fears were unfounded. I talked to the ranger at the welcome station. (Even though the park was closed the ranger welcomed me as he was not gone yet.) I found out this location was the final battle between Mexico and the U.S. Pancho Villa was making raids on U.S. soil and General Pershing was sent to quell the operations. Columbus was the town involved with being raided and being harassed by Villa.
I asked the ranger about security and he explained that with all the border patrol cruising the area and the park rangers on duty throughout the night the park was very safe. I paid him eight dollars and drove around the hill with the flagpole to set up camp. The intent was great but the result was a disaster. The ground was too soft to hold tent stakes and the canopy that covers the tent had bungie cords that were dried from being years old. There was no stretch left in them and I couldn’t pull them to fit over the poles used to support the structure. After several attempts I realized the problem had no immediate solution. I can fix the problem with new bungie material but not right away. I slept in the car.
Columbus, New Mexico early in the morning is like walking onto a moving set of a cowboy town. Basic structures with basic store fronts with basic curb-less sidewalks. I ate a breakfast at the Patio Cafe (Great with a capital ‘G’ place). The town has a history of crime, and some more crime. Drug runners and gun runners and town leaders involved in both.
I headed out of town passing through Deming, New Mexico. While in Deming I visited Walmart to buy longer tent stakes and a length of shock cord to make, or replace, new tie downs for the tent canopy. I couldn’t find bungie cords short enough to replace the dried-out ones on the canopy. After purchasing the parts I needed I felt confident I could pitch the tent so I searched for state parks in Arizona that had tent sites. There was a nice sounding park in Benson, Arizona. Kartchner Caverns State Park is on Rt. 90 south of I 10. I got there in the afternoon but the place was sold out. I made a decision to go back into town to eat an early dinner at a really good place to dine. Lupes Mexican restaurant in Benson; go there even if you live in Alaska.
From Lupes I got onto I 10 and headed to Gila Bend, Arizona just a few hours beyond where I was. I called to make reservations for two nights at the auxiliary air field which had a lodge. I figured I had to kill a few nights and I needed to be at Freddy and John Luke’s house on Wednesday in Brawley, California. This was Monday the 17th of March. I saw there was a site seeing place near Gila Bend and it looked interesting. I figured I could spend two days there moving about and getting a physical workout which I sorely needed. Pipe Organ National Monument lies way south of I 10 and Gila Bend. It is way down Arizona Rt. 85 toward the border. The park is huge and offers great views, driving tours, and hiking trails through hilly sites, canyons, and amazing saquaro cactii and pipe organ cactii. I got to the lodge at 7 P.M. Driving through Arizona to make appointments after being in another state is confusing. Arizona does not recognize daylight saving time so I thought I had to hustle along to get to the lodge before it closed for the night. As it was I arrived an hour earlier than I’d hoped.
I visited the park the next day and took many photos of vegetation and cactus blossoms. I had a wonderful time. Being in the desert is so mellowing for me and walking and looking at whatever I feel like at my own pace is a luxury. I am grateful.
I spent two days moving when I wanted to and resting when I wanted to. I needed the luxury of a room, shower, and small kitchen to regain some balance after Albuquerque and Pancho Villa State Park.
I left for my next stop on Wednesday morning. On the way out of Gila Bend I stopped for breakfast at Sophie’s Mexican restaurant. As one of my friends mentioned I haven’t missed any meals on this trip. That is true. I have a great affinity for Mexican food and certainly I will eat as much as I can until my appetite for it moderates.
I got up onto I 10 and drove for California. I plugged in the coordinates for Brawley, California and headed west. The highway splits at Phoenix into I 10 and I 8. 10 goes to Los Angeles and 8 goes to San Diego. Brawley is in the southern portion of California; only 10 miles from the border. I like this part of California.
I arrived at Freddy and John Luke’s house in the middle of the day. Staying with them is relaxing. They live in Boothbay part of the year and in Brawley after September. Their dog “Dobby” and cat “Bob” are good pals and entertaining. I stay in their camper trailer in the back yard. We had a good visit catching up on news about our neighbors and what is happening in their Southern California town. Freddy and I had breakfast at Brownie’s Mexican restaurant the next morning and parted company on Main St.
I drove the nearly 80 miles up Rt. 78 the next day, Thursday. I arrived at daughters Gwen’s and Becky’s house in La Quinta, California. I am here now with my lovely daughters enjoying their company and their five schnauzers and one cat.
Stay tuned.
Playing Fair and Being Kind 