Over the Range Through Riudoso to Roswell, NewMexico

Hi Gang, Yesterday in Alamogordo was a day of heavy rain, thunder and lightening which was fine since we just wanted to veg a bit and enjoy a meal at Johnny Carinos. But, that meant that the White Sands would have been slick and messy so for, I think, the first time ever I didn't go to them whilst in Alamogordo! Still today was made in heaven. Beautiful blue skies with stunning white clouds and no snow on the Mountain from Tularosa through Ruidoso--where that actor with the three names one of which is Harris, grew up. We also drove through the large, forested Mescalero Apache Reservation which is simply beautiful. At Apache Summit we were at 7591 feet and at the clearing we looked up at the cloud covered Sierra Blanca which is over 10,000 feet. Her snow covered head was well hidden by the clouds but even so she is stunning and impressive. As we started descending into the Ruidoso River Valley we passed a convoy of road brushes, staggered in place and clearing the loose gravel from the road that is being repaved. A sheriff fore and aft! Then it was farther down into the Hondo River Valley of cultivated fields and ranches. Soon we arrived in Roswell, which is a pretty town but I just hate all the tacky other worldly kitsch that the town insists on playing up. We continued right through the Main drag intersection and headed out to Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge. Bill and I always go out to drive the loop, which is much smaller than the Bosque. The Refuge is also much more open with no trees to speak of and it is much smaller but it is a quiet spot to see birds nonetheless. Today there were a huge flock of Sandhill cranes with many more arriving as well as a good representation of snow geese. The males were dancing up a storm among the Cranes. The geese put on a nice display of rising, swirling and relanding for us. Saw a lovely little green heron fishing. A few birds that looked like white pelicans but too far away to be sure. There were a couple of whooping cranes, too, I think as well as some long billed,long legged white birds I should know but can't think of right now. Barb and I made sandwiches and had some olives and melon salad for lunch as we sat at a high observation overlook. Lots of bugs here--flies but also huge wasps--so we sat with the car running and the A/C on since the temp reached 70 degrees and there was no shade. Spent about two hours there before coming to our hotel. Sat in the lovely dining room and had coffee and cookies before settling in for the evening. Finished the olives and our leftover spagettini from Johnny Carino's for dinner and are now reading and sort of watching TV. Long drive tomorrow--only 150 today but we are headed to Big Spring Texas and that is over 200. Want to get through Texas into Louisiana so we can feel that we are on the way home. Depends how tired I am tomorrow whether I'll write but will probably send pix. West Texas isn't my favorite part but it is interesting. Until then, night all, Barbzig and Katzag