DEMING NEW MEXIXO TO TUCSON ARIZONA: WHAT A GREAT FEELING DAY THIS WAS:)))))

WESTBOUND ON I-10 IN NEW MEXICO                                                     

Happily, first thing I saw stepping out with Pheebs this morning were not earthly.  In fact they were Planetary.   In inky black southeastern skies Venus and Jupiter shone diamond bright telling me yesterday’s cloud cover had finally and thankfully moved on.  It was going to be a scenic travel day for the Bunch.  And was it ever.

WE HAD US A FOGGY START TO THE DAY

We spent 4 nights at the El Rancho Lobo RV Park and I have to say again how much we enjoyed it there.  A big thanks to the Park owners, camp hosts, and resident volunteers for keeping this Park so squeaky clean, homey, and comfortable.   A wee bit of noise from nearby I-10 but it’s not annoying or uncomfortable.  I give this Park 5 stars and two thumbs up for sure.  There are several ways to reach the Park  and I would recommend the one at Deming’s east end where the Holiday and La Quinta Inns are located.  That way you only have half a mile of dirt road just before the Park entrance.  From I-10 at this interchange go south maybe a quarter mile then turn left onto highway 549.  You only go a mile or two before turning left onto road 377.  You really have to watch close for the 377 sign and the turn which is not an intersection but a turn across the medium can be hard to see.  Stay on 377 until the pavement ends then turn left for the last half mile to El Rancho Lobo.

HEADING WEST INTO DEMING NM TO CATCH I-10 THIS MORNING

WHAT A GREAT DAY HEADING WEST ON I-10

NEVER SAW AS MANY EAST BOUND FREIGHT TRAINS AS WE SAW TODAY

I’M GUESSING THOSE CAR CARRYING TRAIN CARS ARE CARRYING IMPORTED CARS EAST FROM WESTERN CALIFORNIA PORTS

IT WAS JUST THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MORNING OF EVER

FIELDS OF STANDING WATER NEAR LORDSBURG ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF I-10

Ground fog finally burned off and we were on the road at 9:23 Mountain Time under blue skies and big white and gray fluffy clouds.  Picked up some gas at Demings east end Chevron and climbed aboard i-10 heading west.

A SERIES OF SIGNS WEST OF LORDSBURG NEW MEXICO

BECAUSE OF A BIG DUST STORM HERE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WE HAD TO DO A ONE HUNDRED MILE DETOUR TO GET AROUND THE AREA

‘YA THINK’!!

SEEMS THE FURTHER WEST WE GO THE BIGGER THE MOUNTAINS GET

FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE CHIRACHUA MOUNTAINS EMERGING FROM THE MISTS

WE HAVE MANY GREAT MEMORIES OF THE CHIRICAHUAS OVER THE YEARS

LOVE THESE QUIETER INTERSTATES OUT HERE IN THE WEST

WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY GREAT FEELING IT WAS FOR BOTH OF US THIS MORNING TO REACH THIS VERY POINT IN OUR TRAVELS….WE AT LAST FELT WE WERE ONCE AGAIN IN OUR WINTER HOME…..ARIZONA WILL ALWAYS BE OUR SPECIAL PLACE

ARIZONA REST AREA

I LOVE SEEING OLD FAMILIAR MOUNTAIN RANGES AND THOSE ARE THE DRAGOON MOUNTAINS ON THE HORIZON….MORE MEMORIES FOR US OVER THERE IN THE DRAGOONS AND THAT’S ABOUT WHERE JANNA AND MIKE LIVE

IN WILCOX PHEEBS WAITS PATIENTLY FOR MOM TO COME OUT  OF THE STORE WITH AN APPLE PIE

AND HERE COMES THAT APPLE PIE NOW

What an absolutely fine morning it turned out to be and was by far the best day we had since leaving Bayfield two weeks ago.  To our north were dark brooding clouds while to the left white and gray puffy clouds rested on the higher mountain tops.  Sun splashes and cloud shadows played across the desert floor traveling along the mountain sides.  I-10 between Las Cruces and Tucson is mainly flat and with again very light traffic the Big E just purred right along on the valley floor from mountain range to mountain range.  This morning was the best I felt for long time as with each mile the mountains seemed to grow larger on the surrounding horizon, the sun shone happily brighter, and the air finally became warmer. 

I SEE A VERY ELONGATED CLOUD MONSTER UP THERE WITH MOUTH AGAP TRAVELING ACROSS I-10 FROM RIGHT TO LEFT

A TUMBLE OF ROCKS IN TEXAS CANYON ALONG I-10 EAST OF BENSON ARIZONA

ON THE FAR HORIZON ARE THE WHETSTONE MOUNTAINS

EACH OF THE NAMES ON THESE ROADSIGNS BRING BACK SO MANY PLEASANT MEMORIES FOR US

By the time we pulled into the Desert Diamond Casino parking lot on the southwest side of Tucson’s E Valencia Road it was mid afternoon and temperatures had come.  We tumbled out of the coach into the warm sunshine both knowing we had made the right decision to head for Tucson this morning.  It was 2:45 p.m. when we found us a spot in one of the spacious parking lots.  We always try to get an ourside spot no matter if it’s Walmart, Cracker Barrel, an RV Park or wherever but all the outside spots here at the Casino were already taken.  No matter, we were just so happy to be here and settled in for the night.

HELLO TUCSON

TURNING INTO THE DESERT DIAMOND CASINO

LOTS OF RV’S BUT LOTS OF ROOM TOO

I ALWAYS THINK OF OUR GOOD FRIEND AND FELLOW RV BLOGGER DOUG LANNING FROM MISS ADVENTURE TRAVELS WITH THIS BEING ONE OF DOUG’S FAVORITE OVERNIGHT SPOTS ON HIS TRAVELS TO AND FROM THE SOUTHWEST THESE PAST FEW YEARS

Despite our self doubts about this winter’s southwest travels before leaving home and pretty much all the way down here we both felt a change once we reached the eastern side of New Mexico and crossing Arizona’s State line this morning just put the icing on the cake for us.  There were no more lingering doubts.  We are so happy to be here in the land of endless starry skies, fiery sunrises and sunsets, towering mountain ranges, and long sweeping valleys with views for 20 or 30 miles.  And oh how great to once again see our first Saguaro Cactus right where we always look for it alongside I-10 east of Tucson in Davidson Canyon.  Can’t wait to rush up and give my first Saguaro a great big hug.

THIS IS A POOR PHOTO OF OUR FIRST SAGUARO SIGHTING THIS YEAR

Right now as I type this we have our side door open plus a couple windows.  Sunshine is pouring in and we are toasty warm with no furnace running.  Each year it is the same with me and I’m like an excited little kid as I once again take in all the beautiful scenery.  We stopped at a Rest Area just after entering Arizona and I felt like Japanese tourist wanting to run around and take a thousand pictures.  The southwest just does that to me each year when we finally arrive here.  Now where’s my Hopalong Cassidy hat and broomstick horse so this little boy can saddle up and ride the range rustling himself up a herd of cows or two. 

APPLE ANNIES APPLE PIE

GROANER’S CORNER:(( A new York Divorce Lawyer died and arrived at the pearly gates. Saint Peter asks him "What have you done to merit entrance into Heaven?" The Lawyer thought a moment, then said, "A week ago, I gave a quarter to a homeless person on the street." Saint Peter asked Gabriel to check this out in the record, and after a moment Gabriel affirmed that this was true. Saint Peter said, "Well , that's fine, but it's not really quite enough to get you into Heaven." The Lawyer said, "Wait Wait! There's more! Three years ago I also gave a homeless person a quarter." Saint Peter nodded to Gabriel, who after a moment nodded back, affirming this, too, had been verified. Saint Peter then whispered to Gabriel, "Well, what do you suggest we do with this fellow?" Gabriel gave the Lawyer a sidelong glance, then said to Saint Peter, "Let's give him back his 50 cents and tell him to go to Hell."

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“Impatience can be attributed to loss of wait!”

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Teacher: Whats the meaning of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder?  Student: Bambalakkadi Jimba.  Teacher: I don't understand anything you said.  Student: Same here.

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TOURING THE DEMING LUNA MIMBRES MUSEUM AND A RETURN TO THE ADOBE DELI FOR A TAKE OUT RUEBEN SANDWICH

Sandwiched between two big Class A diesel bangers and of course feeling claustrophobic with one rig only a few feet from Kelly’s bedroom slide bothering her sleep with a nightly noisy furnace fan or something we almost made the decision to roll out today and make tracks further west in search of warmer temps and sunshine.  Weather was again cloudy in Deming with a 70% chance of rain in the afternoon.  Somewhere during the course of early morning we decided to stay one more day.

YES WE ARE DEFINITELY SANDWICHED IN ALRIGHT AND THAT OF COURSE IS NOT TO OUR LIKING…..TIME TO GO

ON THIS RIG PARKED BESIDE US THERE IS THE LONGEST SLIDE WE HAVE EVER SEEN ON AN RV AND WITH ANOTHER HIGH END CLASS A PULLING IN THIS AFTERNOON WE ARE DEFINITELY FEELING LIKE THE ‘CLAMPETTS’ AGAIN IN OUR 15 YEAR OLD COACH

THIS MORNING WE HEADED INTO TOWN TO TOUR THE DEMING LUNA MIMBRES MUSEUM

WHEN THIS BUILDING WAS A MILITARY ARMORY THIS WAS THEIR INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE AND IN LATER YEARS IT EVEN SERVED AS A BOWLING ALLEY…..IT NOW HOUSES A VERY LARGE COLLECTION OF DOLLS

  

THAT IS A SQUARE GRAND PIANO ON THE LEFT

THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE JIM BEAN COMMEMORATIVE BOTTLES IN THE MUSEUM’S COLLECTION (THAT LINK SHOULD SAY BEAM NO BEAN)

Leaving a very sad face little doggy in the Motorhome Kelly and I headed off into Deming 9 miles west of us.  A quick stop at Walmart’s Supercenter then it was downtown to have us a look at Deming’e superb Mimbres Museum.  This is not your usual dusty small town museum with a few local artifacts to see.  This museum is first class and as the friendly curator said to us, ‘we are the Smithsonian of the West.  Well he might not be too far off there because the quality of the museums collections are first rate.  Everything is neat and clean as a pin and professionally displayed thanks to the help of many dedicated volunteers over the years.  If you are a museum person you will like it here.

THIS CHUCKWAGON WAS ACTUALLY USED ON A RANCH NEARBY

INSIDE AN OLD REPLICA GENERAL STORE

‘PAIN AND PAINLESS’ HERE WITH A DENTIST CHAIR AND A BARBER CHAIR

APPLIANCE STORE AND THE UNDERTAKER HAS A CASKET IN HIS WINDOW

COWBOY IN THE BUNKHOUSE AND A GENERAL STORE

THIS OLD HORSE DRAWN HEARSE WAS ENCLOSED IN GLASS

LOOKING INTO THE BACK OF THE HEARSE

THEY HAVE AN EXTENSIVE GEM COLLECTION HERE

The museum is housed in the original Deming Armory built back in 1915-16.  An addition has since been added making it a sizeable complex with many rooms and corridors.  We spent the best part of two hours there slowly looking around but one could easily spend a few days taking everything in.  This museum has two floors linked not only by stairs but an elevator as well.  If your in the Deming area with some time on your hands I would definitely recommend you stop around and have yourself a look at their extensive collection of artifacts and antiques.

GROWING UP ONLY A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FROM THE TAVISTOCK ONTARIO TRAIN STATION I REMEMBER STEEL WHEELED CARTS JUST LIKE THIS ONE ON THE TRAIN PLATFORM

DEMING’S FIRST FIRE TRUCKS

A 1952 CHEVROLET

DEMING’S VERY FIRST CAR

From the museum we headed straight-away for McDonalds to grab us a couple of needed coffees.  From their parking lot Kelly phoned the Adobe Deli and ordered a Reuben Sandwich to go.  We had heard they were very good.  A leisurely drive back through Deming and and east along highway 549 across the desert floor had us at the Adobe Deli’s parking lot 20 minutes later.  With a heavy Rueben in hand we hurried home where we knew an anxious little doggy to be waiting.

YEP, WE WERE BACK AT THE ADOBE DELI ALRIGHT

 

THERE’S A 44 POUND RUEBEN SANDWICH IN THAT PLASTIC BAG:))

WELL THERE YA ARE….THAT’S A RUEBEN

OKAY, BACK AT THE DEMING MUSEUM WE TAKE THE ELEVATOR TO THE 2ND FLOOR AND ‘OMG’ THERE IS EVEN MORE GREAT STUFF TO LOOK AT

AND THERE IS A MEZZANINE DECK RUNNING AROUND THE TOP OF THIS LARGE ROOM WITH EVEN MORE ARTIFACTS

 

BIGGEST COLLECTION OF BELLS WE’VE EVER SEEN

THIS IS CALLED THE MEDICAL ROOM

AND OF COURSE A DISPLAY CASE OF OLD CAMERAS

KELLY SETS UP TO TAKE SOME PHOTOS WITH HER SMART PHONE

THIS OLD VICTROLA WAS OF INTEREST TO ME BECAUSE WE HAD A SIMALAR ONE WHEN I WAS A SMALL BOY AND THAT RECORD ON THE TURN TABLE IS ‘CHEWIN WOMAN BLUES’ BY DINAH WASHINGTON

THIS TELEPHONE OPERATOR DISPLAY REMINDS ME OF MY MOTHER WHO WAS HERSELF A BELL TELEPHONE OPERATOR IN MY HOME TOWN OF TAVISTOCK ONTARIO CANADA….THE TAVISTOCK BOARD WAS MUCH BIGGER THAN THIS ONE THOUGH AND I REMEMBER AS A SMALL BOY IN THE EARLY 50’S WATCHING MY MOTHER PLUGGING AND UNPLUGGING ALL THE LINES AS CALLS CAME IN OR WERE ENDED

Kelly had quite a job cutting the Rueben in half but managed.  She enjoyed her Rueben but me not so much.  Not knowing what to expect I was right away disappointed.  Although I grew up in a family of big sauerkraut eaters I have always absolutely hated the darn stuff and that’s what my Rueben was mainly made of.  A whole lot of yukky Sauerkraut:((  Not the Deli’s fault of course.  I didn’t eat much of it of course and to get that horridly awful sauerkraut taste out of my mouth I had to immediately whup myself up an especially large peanut butter and honey sandwich.  Ahhhh, can you spell ‘relief’.

BACK TO THE MAIN FLOOR  OF THE MUSEUM THERE IS ALSO A FINE MILITARY SECTION

A  WORLD WAR 1 MAXIM GUN

FLEECE LINED LEATHER BOMBER JACKET, PANTS ,AND BOOTS OF B-17 FLYING FORTRESS CREW MEMBER

No sign of any Sun today and by 3 this afternoon we had us a steady rain pitter pattering on our roof.  Pheebs and I did get out long enough to take a few photos of what appears to be a pet cemetery nearby.  We had noticed some more crosses earlier not too far from where we are parked.

SOME OF THE PARK’S RESIDENTS HAVE LIVED HERE A LONG TIME AND THIS IS WHERE THEY HAVE BROUGHT THEIR DECEASED PETS OVER THE YEARS….ALWAYS SAD

With weather clearing Friday we will likely hit the road for points further west.  Still trying to decide if we want to head northwest from Lordsburg up into the Apache Junction area or stick to our old route and make a beeline for Tucson and destinations beyond.  We will probably return this way in March when weather’s a bit warmer and at that time pop in and see our friends from Sierra Vista, Nancy and Pat plus our other friends Janna and Mike a little further east near Pearce Arizona.  We would like to stop into this El Rancho Lobo RV Park again as well.  We have grown to really like this place and there is a lot of history in this area some of which we explored a number of years ago.  Here’s a few links to my posts for Fort Bayard, the Gila Cliff Dwellings, Silver City, Columbus, and City Of Rocks State Park.

GROANER’S CORNER:((

Richard and Al were on a small chartered airplane when the pilot suddenly had a heart attack.  "Don't Panic," cried Richard heroically. "I'll land this baby!"  Seizing the controls he headed for the runway at LaGuardia Airport, and began wrestling the diving plane to the ground.  Just as the wheels touched the ground, Al screamed, "Red lights!! Right in front of you!" Immediately Richard threw the engine in reverse and jammed on the breaks, bringing the plane to a violent stop just inches from the edge of the lights.  "Brother!" he puffed, wiping his brow.  "That sure was a short runway!"  "Yeah," agreed Al, looking side to side, "but look how WIDE it is."

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“The other day I held the door open for a clown. I thought it was a nice jester.”

The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.

I tried to sell the antique string instrument cause I needed the lute

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