Ski Apache Zip Line, Ruidoso, NM

Monjeau Fire Lookout Tower

                 
                 (if Firefox is set to private browsing  when installing, the photos will be gray.)


                  Late  one afternoon, we decided to drive up to Monjeau since we had not in several years.  The devastation from the Little Bear fire was so sad to see,
There are 2 photos of the Aspen grove before the fire.   Ruidoso can be seen in some of the photos.

Sunrise on US 285

On our way back to Pine Ridge Campground in Ruidoso for 5 months.

    Sunrise on US 285 somewhere between Ft. Stockton and Roswell

Back to Ruidoso

Left home on the 26th and stopped off a few days to visit family before leaving for the summer.

Drove to Fort Stockton yesterday, and stayed at Hilltop RV.  Very nice.  No discounts, but rate is already less than with one.  Another beautiful sunset.

Arrived today 10:20 MST & got  mostly all set up. Most of the permanent residents already here.

Waiting a bit to put up the canopies as it is windy.  Sure sounds nice blowing through the pine trees.

The park is booked all summer so we will be busy.

 

 

 

 

sunset

Arrived in Fort Stockton from Ruidoso today.  Quite a difference in temperature…..95 when we arrived, but cooled down nicely after dark.  Beautiful sunset

Cowboy Symposium

We attended the Cowboy Symposium at Ruidoso Downs today.  Lots of western  items for sale.  We enjoyed watching the chuck wagon kitchens preparing lunch.  It was a beautiful sunny day with lots of wind.

Cloudcroft

Drove down to Alamogordo today to buy dog food and decided to drive up the mountain to Cloudcroft.  As always, the view from the lookout at the west end of the tunnel was beautiful.

The Aspens coming down the mountain are starting to turn colors

 

Cousins Jean & Malcolm treated us to a dinner & show at Mountain Annie's.
The performer was Dolan Ellis. He used to be with the New Christie Minstrels and is now back with them. His show was great as he sang songs he had written with a backdrop of photos he had taken. He is the official Arizona Balladeer.

It was a beautiful day for pictures at Monjeau Fire Lookout and the butterflies were abundant.

Hubbard Museum

We enjoyed the visit to the Hubbard Museum that is adjacent to the race track. The bronze horses outside were designed by Dave McGary who has a studio in Ruidoso. His attention to detail is remarkable. We always enjoy visiting the studio.

 Click on the square in lower right  for the full screen video.

 

We went to the Eagle Ranch Pistachio ranch in Alamogordo and took the tour again.
Pictures of that can be seen by choosing Aug 07 in the Archive tab or the NM Label.
This picture was taken as we went up the mountain to Cloudcroft. White Sands can barely be seen

After lunch at the Lodge we came back to Ruidoso through the Indian Reservation

I enjoy looking at the views out of these large lobby windows & listening to the soothing Indian music while the others visit the casino.....

Click on the arrow under the picture for a video.....

Pepper Time

Our supply of Hatch chilies is depleted we will vacuum package and freeze these

I have been busy taking pictures of the very busy hummingbirds and have put a "few" favorites into a Picasa web ablum.

Click on the picture to open it.

Hummingbirds

Storm clouds brewing for an afternoon rain......





Raindrops on the pine leaves after a rain...

We love sitting outside watching the hummingbirds. One has a dark red neckband. Hope I can get a picture of it.

Pete,a professional photographer, was parked next to us. He helped me decide that I wanted a camera to take really great pictures instead of one that fits in my pocket.
He gave me so much information and help, from just plain info to lessons on enhancing digital photos. We went up the mountain for a dusk/evening shoot. This is a picture he helped me take. I might just get this one printed.

We went to Eagle Ranch Pistachio ranch just north of Alamagordo. The tour was well worth the trip if you are ever in the area. The split shells happen on the trees and not in the roasting process.




The white line on the horizon is White Sands




It was 90 degrees when we finished the tour about 11:00AM. As we started up the mountain to Cloudcroft the temperature started dropping and it started raining. It was 54 degrees in Cloudcroft. We ate lunch at Big Daddys and came back to Ruidoso through the Indian reservation.

Bonita Lake





Cousins Buster and Connie (and Trey) came for a few days. We enjoyed Bonita Lake and the drive up to the Ski Apache ski area.

We have been enjoying Ruidoso. It has rained every day keeping it cool. Last Thursday was a little break so we drove up to the Ski Apache area at around 9,000 ft. There are some really pretty views along the way. Almost back to the highway is the road to the Monjeau Fire Lookout tower. We had been there before but couldn't remember where it is. We could only remember a tower with lots of Aspen trees.
Click on the picture below for a few pictures taken on the drive.....
When the album is open, just above the photos is "view map" icon. If you click on the little icon is will show where the pictues were (almost) actually taken
And, if you scroll all the way down, on the lower left is a link to a map or Google Earth if you have it loaded. With Google Earth you can see the terrain plus have hours of entertainment.