TOUR AMERICA 2019: DEMING, NEW MEXICO – LAND OF ENCHANTMENT

Places We Have Called Home In 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:   Dream Catcher RV Park, Deming, New Mexico

September 16, 2019

Temperature 82

City of Rocks State Park

Last night we rocked and rolled again.  The wind just howled for hours on end.  Despite knowing that the vent covers over the vents were securely locked down I honestly thought they would be ripped off.  Then, like so many other nights it just stopped.  Like someone threw a switch somewhere and turned off a giant wind fan.

When we awoke this morning all was still.  Not a whisper of a breeze.  It’s just crazy.  The sky was bright blue and clear, and the sun was shinning bright.  How different from the last three days.

When I saw our friend Mary later in the morning I asked her Does it always rain around here?  Is the wind always this strong?  She replied Yes the wind is always strong.  About the rain, last year when I was here for four months it never rained one day. 

We both decided that such a beautiful day should not be wasted.  It was time to get out and about and see what we could find.  One place we had in mind was only thirty minutes away so off we went.

In due time we arrived at our destination.  It was City of Rocks State Park.  City of Rocks gets its name from the incredible volcanic rock formations found here.

The park encompasses a one square mile area in the scenic Chihuahuan desert region of southwestern New Mexico at an elevation of 5,200 feet.

The city is a geologic formation made up of large, sculptured rock columns, or pinnacles, rising as high as 40 feet and separated by paths or lanes resembling city streets. These rocks were formed about 34.9 million years ago when a very large volcano erupted. Then, erosion over millions of years slowly formed the sculptured columns seen today, creating a stunning, otherworldly landscape.

Wait it gets better but our first stop is at the Visitor’s Center.

Guess what?  Just our luck it was closed due to lack of staff.

Take a look at the grounds around it.

City of Rocks offers hiking trails, excellent mountain biking, wildlife viewing, birding, stargazing, picnic areas and camp sites,  If you like to boondock, and you like to hike this is the place for you.  But campsites are hard to get, you need to reserve at least six months in advance.

These sites offer water and electric and can be reserved.

A typical site.

But enough is enough we are here to view the large, sculptured rock columns, or pinnacles that are at the heart of the park.  Take a look and let your imagination run wild.  There are turtles, whales breaching, little dogs, grumpy old men and so much more.

Look closely and you’ll see a brown post.  Each time you see one, it means that this is primitive tent camp site.  I don’t know, sleeping in the shadow of these monsters?  I’m sure it is an experience one will long remember!

Like I said, there are those who do indeed tent camp among these giants.

Time now to go up for a better view of the whole area.

The top.

What a view from the top.  That’s the park and the campground.

The surrounding mountains.

Well, it was finally time to go.

Hope you enjoyed the day with us.  This is one spectacular park.  As I said earlier, if you like boondocking, like hiking, then you must plan to spend some time here.  Even if you don’t like to do either, you should still put this park on your bucket list of things to do.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  A bonus, Barbara was able to take part in Ladies Night Out.  She just got home and had a wonderful time.  I’m so glad she got to go.  She had a pedicure and supper out with the ladies.  A perfect way to end a perfect day.

Thanks again for joining us again today.  We always enjoy your company and your comments.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

See you on down the road!