Vineyard RV Park, Deming, NM

Thursday, February 01, 2007
Traveled from El Paso, TX on I-10 to Deming, NM and the Vineyard RV Park. Small park but adequate for our needs.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Beautiful weather with sunshine. We rode together on the Honda Gold Wing from Deming to Columbus, NM. Sitting right on the Mexico border 30 miles south of Deming down NM Highway 11. It is located west of Las Cruces and is the trail used by the legendary Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoaches of the pre-Civil War era.

Ray on top of Coates Hill.

Coates Hill is named after the 13th Calvery, was an important lookout for soldiers based at Camp Furlong during the Mexican Revolution and border unrest. Sometimes called “Villas Hill.” This little town was once invaded by the notorious Pancho Villa, and thus became the base and staging point for General "Blackjack" Pershing’s southerly expeditions to try to capture the raider. Pancho Villa State Park is also one of the premier camping spots during the fall and winter months. An oasis in the desert, especially if you want to shop in Mexico, only 3 miles away.

We took a long drive out to Silver City, in the southwest corner of New Mexico and features high deserts, mountains and rolling terrain. New York Times, January 13, 2006 "People who live in Silver City like to say that their town of 10,000 offers 'the real New Mexico experience.' Perched on the edge of the Gila National Forest in a high-desert wonderland of ponderosas, deep gorges and red-rock mesas, Silver City is a bit rough around the edges... but that's the way the locals like it."

After driving through the streets of the old town and where Billy the Kid grew up and also broke out of their jail we proceeded up the mountain to historic Pinos Altos (Tall Pines) town that is located just six miles north of Silver City on NM 15 at an elevation of 7040 feet. Nestled into the Gila National Forest, the town began in 1860 when three frustrated 49-ers, Thomas Birch, Colonel Snively and another guy named Hicks, stopped to take a drink in Bear Creek and discovered gold. The snow plows had just cleared the main road and the scenery was beautiful.

Pinos Altos Fire House (above) was built to fit in with the charm of this 1860s village and is home to the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. Although not a historic building, the fire house is one of the most photographed buildings in town.

It was such fun to get out and kick up our heels in the snow.