Moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico

Yesterday morning we had hoped to leave in sunshine but we had steady rain all night and the flooding was amazing.  Totally underwater.  And fog was setting in.  But we bucked up and packed up, leaving Amarillo by 9am.  We would drop back an hour in time, moving into Mountain Time Zone once we got into New Mexico so our day would be as long driving, but we would get in by 2pm instead of 3pm.

Foggy, rain when left left Amarillo KOA

Fields flooded everywhere

We could smell the beef processing plant before we got there

Worlds Beef Capitol in Panhandle of Texas

As far as you could see - cattle

And stink!

Lonely road out of Amarillo, taking Route 60 then Route 70.  Both routes eventually pass through Arizona, Route 60 in Phoenix is called the Superstition Highway, traveling through the Superstition Mountains east of the city.  Both routes end in California, but we were only heading to Ruidoso for a spell.  Ruidoso, pronounced ree-oh-doe-sew, means noisy river and there is a river that passes through the city, we haven't seen it yet.

18th state this summer

Loved the name - Texico, New Mexico

Our route took us just on the outskirts of Roswell and we did not spot any aliens, thank goodness.  Dave was driving most of the way in light rain and fog and when we got past Roswell and got into the Capitan Mountains, his drive became a little hairy.  Twisty turny roads, and with the rain, we crept along.  We made it okay, got to the campground by 2pm, set up and the sun came out, a great beginning for New Mexico.

Sad, but still active post office

Very muddy Pecos River 

Lonely road out of Roswell

Heading into the Capitan Mountains

Hey! Picacho, New Mexico

Dreamy looking

Ruidoso has also had record setting rains the past couple of days and our sight is pretty muddy and today the owners came with stone and put down quite a bit to help stabilize the site.  We are nestled in the mountains at 6900 feet elevation, the aroma of the pines and spruce is amazing.  During the night last night a huge crack of thunder woke us up, and then heavy rainfall for about an hour, then clearing.  Surprised, that was not in the forecast.  We want to dry out!

Beautiful resort

This car reminded me of my late brother, Jim, who restored cars

Lots and lots of people and cars/trucks 

This car reminded me of my Mom - she drove a Fairlane

Make this car dark green - my first official car (hated this Nova,
traded it in 9 months later for a Toyota Corolla)

I think it's the biggest car show I have been to

Today after grocery shopping and getting the car washed, we drove to the Inn of the Mountain Gods and Casino, a beautiful resort that is owned by the Apache Indians.  There was a car show going on and we were blown away with the number of antique cars and trucks on display.  Never been to one so big.  Fun, lots of people, seemed mostly from El Paso, Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico.  We are about a 2 hour drive from Mexico (El Paso/Cuidad Juarez crossing).

No matter where you looked, cars

Trophies waiting to be given to winners

The General Lee! Where's Daisy? 

You definitely know we are are at higher elevation - pop!

Will be here for a bit to just enjoy the area and try some hiking up in the mountains.  This is a big ski resort town in the winter, a number of ski resorts typically will open by Thanksgiving time.  Our temps now are in the low 60's day and high 40's at night.

Our visitors this morning, bears, mountain lions, coyotes
may visit here too!