We actually relaxed for quite a while yesterday morning with our couchsurfing hosts in Las Cruces. Ruth made some pancakes for everyone for breakfast and we enjoyed them with real Vermont maple syrup! Thanks for everything Kevin and Trina, we had a great time with your family!
First thing we did when we left Las Cruces was to make a little detour 20 miles north of the city to try and find Billy the Kid's secret hideout.
And it really is secret! There are no signs, no indication of it being there. But Trina and Kevin had told us of this little known location where Billy the Kid and his gang holed up in the mountains back in 1880 and they had scratched their initials and names into the rocks at the hideout.
Up in the hills on BLM public land, but there's only one gate to go through.
There it is...Billy the Kid's Black Hill Hideout!
First, you have to find the sign marking the Wildlife Study Area.
Rather than me giving you the directions, you can get more details here... http://www.summitpost.org/billy-the-kid-s-black-hill-hideout/366202
Ruth, up at the shaded area hideout.
Ruth, looking for the names.
Unfortunately, over 100 years of weather had pretty much obliterated any sign of the names. Still, it was fun to go check it out and imagine what it would have been like for these outlaws hiding out in the hills!
And, then we had long drive ahead of us from there to Albuquerque.
On the road to Albuquerque.
Some interesting rock formations.
And a train for you, Sam!
The outskirts of Albuquerque!
We had couchsurfing hosts arranged in Albuquerque, and we had planned on arriving between 4-5pm. But when planning these drives and you use your GPS or Google maps for planning, they use the speed limit as your guide. Well, the speed limit on that highway I-25 is 75 mph (120 km/h)! And we only drive at about 57 mph (91 km/h)...but we did pretty good anyhow and pulled in to Cheryl and Mike's driveway around quarter to five.
We got acquainted and sat on their beautiful deck overlooking the city. Ruth and Cheryl headed out to the grocery store and got the fixing's for dinner and we had a nice evening together with lots of discussion.
Cheryl, Mike, Kevin, Ruth
Yesterday's drive, 246 miles (400 kms). Including the detour to Billy the Kid's hideout!
A nice days drive and exploring. Hopefully you will be up in the balloon today.
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
Unfortunately the balloon thing didn't happen, with any luck we might be able to go tomorrow morning.
DeleteOne thing I remember about Albuquerque is I got the best sopapillas I've ever had. Hope weather co-operates tomorrow
ReplyDeleteNever heard of a sopapillas. We will have to keep our eyes open for these.
DeleteSopapillas are made with flour, so not an option for Ruth. Here's a recipe for adventurous types: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Real-Sopapillas/
DeleteOne of Mike's favorite desserts is Sopa, a bread pudding which I would have made for you but unfortunately it has bread, so also not good for a gluten allergy. I use an old family recipe of caramelizing sugar first, then adding ingredients on the stovetop instead of an oven pudding (I couldn't find this style online). :)
Sounds delicious Chery, maybe my gluten free flour would have worked in it.
DeleteAh a double stack on the old Santa Fe Transcon Route, Bet she was running 79 mph They now how to run trains on the old Santa Fe, Thanks for thinking of me.Looks like four 4400hp diesels on the front. Sa,m & Donna..
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the picture Sam. You sure know your trains.
DeleteUp, up and delay, my beautiful, my beautiful balloon
ReplyDeleteSam definitely knows his trains. Hope your weather cooperates for the balloon flight. We're having terrible winds here in AZ and I just wonder if they're moving your way. Hope not.
ReplyDeleteThe weather hasn't been very cooperative, hopefully tomorrow, fingers crossed!
DeleteHi Guys - Hope tomorrow morning's weather cooperates so you can have your hot air balloon ride. I did it many years ago outside of Palm Springs and loved it. am really loving San Miguel de Allende and have become well acquainted with Terri and Mike Church. They're great. I definitely plan to come back here next year - so many interesting things to do, see, learn, etc. I'm loving following blogs and mine is almost up to date. Now I have to insert pix and get that part up to date too. Oh, and Kevin, I bought a TELCEL stick - of course I don't need it here!!! Gumperson's Law!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are having a great time there. We met Mike and Terri and couple of times now, very nice people and they sure know Mexico. Super people to talk to about the roads and where you should go. Happy to hear you got your Telcel stick, it will make life easier.
DeleteWe stayed in Radium Springs at the Leasburg State Park. Nice place. I like NM state parks. Beautiful state.
ReplyDeleteWe drove right by the entrance to the Leasburg State Park on our way to Billy the Kid's hideout. It is a beautiful state and I know we will be back to see more with the motorhome some other year.
DeleteThanks for the info on finding it Trina. We had absolutely no problems with the directions. To be honest, I am not sure if we could even be sure that they were even there anymore. Almost looked like someone could have chiselled the chunck of rock away or they have just faded so much that they are hardly even recognizable anymore but it was still a fun little adventure.
ReplyDelete