Saturday June 15

Saturday 6-15-2013

Paulette had a conversation with attendant at Valley of the Fires RA.  They had lost their host on June 1 and had not replaced yet.  Someone would be there during the day so we left The Snail and headed for Capitan, NM and Smokey the Bear Restaurant.  They were there ~ the same old men drinking coffee at the long table just inside the door.  8-9 of them talking and sharing the same stories.  Went something like this, “My job won’t take long today.  Just have to mail a letter.”  Their stories about owners and their work dogs; pets,

Lincoln, NM

Fort Stanton

working dogs and/or companions, biters or gentle but don’t cross the line between them and their masters.  On the Parker ranch they wouldn’t let you work cattle with a rope ~ “crazy SOB.”  I told them you better have a rope with you anyway.   I was headed over the ridge and my saddle was all off to one side and I was trying to get right…...”  and the stories continued.

Smokey the Bear Museum was as much fun as the last visit.  Such a great story of a baby bear.  Every little bit of memorabilia you could imagine was on display.  Some I remember. Smokey had a lot of very important friends in the media.

We then spent the rest of the day roaming around and soaking up the history in the area.  The walking tour in Lincoln was interesting.  This was the first time I found everything open.  The museum and courthouse were my favorites.  A group of ladies were selling their wares in an open area ~ great cookies.  Leaving there led us to Fort Stanton and a reenactment practice.  Since Paulette had participated in reenactments she participated.  They asked for volunteers to practice firing a canon.  I took lots of pictures.

Returning to Carrizozo we found ice cream in a soda fountain shop.  The proprietor was the cutest old man and we had a good discussion about his ice cream as opposed to Blue Bell.  I had seen the painted burros along the streets but Paulette took pictures of a few.  A tour guide had just returned from White Oaks mining town and the “No Scum Allowed Saloon.” She suggested we go there for dinner or snacks.  Had I ridden up on a Harley I may have fit in but I was way out classed and a Diet Coke was not the most popular drink of the afternoon.  Back to Valley of the Fires where I fit right in.