WEEKEND WITH COUSINS OF ALAMOGORDO

Mildred and Zollie picked us up Saturday morning for a trip to Lincoln NM, land of Billy the Kid.

On the drive through Mescalero and Apache Indian country, Mildred pointed out Mt. Sierra Blanca. The top being above timberline, is usually covered with snow. The snow will soon be in appearance!!

On the way north from Alamogordo and Boot Hill RV Park, she stopped to let us take pictures and to go inside of St. Josephs Apache Mission which is still is use today. You see the Christian motif as well as the Apache historical motifs.

While still in this Indian territory, we stopped by the Casino called the Mountain of the Gods to take a break and look at the lake behind the building. It is beautiful country and as dry as most of NM is, it is surprising to see the lake.

We were surprised and impressed to see this tribute figure to the soldiers of the country.

Continuing on toward Lincoln we were anxious for lunch and began our tour of Lincoln at the Dolan House Cafe'.

Wonderful food and wonderful company! The owners have done a wonderful job restoring this house which boasts 20 inch thick walls. The original structure which was built in 1883, features 14' by 14' rooms, two of which have been turned into dining rooms. A newer, larger room that began as a side porch was another dining room in which we were served. The reconstruction began in 2007 and is still in progress.

After leaving Dolan House, quite content, we began touring other buildings in town beginning with the Museum.

In the Museum I took a photograph of this glove cabinet that I found very interesting! I checked the drawers out to find that they each have a lid and hold folders for five pair of gloves.

There were also many pictures and posters telling the history of the town. The gentleman working at the front desk, was a native of Lincoln from when it was still a dirt trail.

From the Museum we went on to a little store, but were not compelled to spend any money there. Just checked out the many Indian items.

This strange looking structure was built in the 1850's with very thick walls to protect the Spanish-Americans from the Apaches. In the Lincoln Co. War the Murphy's sharpshooters were stationed here.

From there we went on to the two story building that housed many things in it's day, from a billiard hall to the court house and jail on second floor. But it is best remembered for the day that Billy the Kid shot out the second story window and killed the US Marshall Olinger. Billy was later sentenced to hang but was shot by Sheriff Garret in 1881.

When leaving this building, we found this interesting RV parked outside. The people who had driven up in it talked with Mildred and Zollie telling that they were from Australia and are touring the United States. They had also been to other countries. Next they would be storing the vehicle here in the states for a quick trip home for a grand daughters wedding. Then they will return to do more sight seeing.

Before leaving the area we drove through Fort Stanton, but decided to leave their museum for another date.

Sunday we attended Grace United Methodist Church with Mildred and Zollie and found a Sunday School class to attend also. We then went to pick up M & Z and came back for a Pot Luck Dinner at the church. I had fixed a Veggie Pizza to take along with Mildred's salad, and found the Pizza to be a hit. Many did not know what it was, except for a youngster Gary over heard saying that he had it before and loved it.

We went back to Mildred and Zollie's where Mildred and Gary got into discussions of their genealogy studies. Zollie and I found things of interest on television while Red and Rusty took a nap!! They looked pretty comfortable to me!!

I am behind on the Blog as we have been keeping busy. I will show you the White Sands National Monument and the Space Museum next. In between, Gary has been busy with maintenance on the motorhome and I got the new drapes and rods up in the living area as well as the tie backs and hooks installed in the bedroom. It is quite homey looking!! I also managed to get a good amount of scrapbooking done yesterday. So I am on a roll now. I hope that moving on down to AZ on Monday does not set me back. That is what usually happens when I have to pack the stuff away.

Take care and have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!!!