<– Day 12 – Sunday March 20th: High Plains Drifters | Beginning | Day 14 – Tuesday March 22nd: Wind & Range –>

Enjoying an evening fire under the New Mexico stars.

On Sunday night we landed at the home of Ann’s aunt Cindy and uncle Fred (See yesterday’s post here). It marked the end of our trip, meaning we’d be heading home the rest of the way.

I shall avoid boring you with the details of sleeping in and lounging around until noon. Yes, it was good to be off the road for the day. I even found the time to get out the guitar and play some music for my wife. Then, we took a quick trip into Tularosa to pick up a new planter, because one we had bought two years ago broke a month ago. Of course, we had to get two ….

However, reality set in by mid-afternoon. I wanted to complete some eWillys, while Ann left with Fred and Cindy for a community service project (no, they weren’t in trouble for anything). They do a lot with the local community of Alamogordo. On this afternoon, they had volunteered to decorate a room at a senior center for a senior citizen prom. Accompanying the three of them were students from the local First Robotics team, which Fred and Cindy also mentor. Funded by a local bank, there was enough money to make the place look pretty nice.

As soon as they were done at the senior center, they picked me up, and we all went to downtown Tularosa where a restaurant is set to open soon. Called Grill 49 the place is a French Grill/Brew pub. Powering the kitchen menu is the former chef from Casa De Suenos, the most popular Mexican restaurant in the area. Their pork chops, a brine marinated, spicy, juicy treat is a favorite among regulars. I tried it yesterday evening at Casa De Suenos and it was delicious! Continue reading →

<– Day 11 – Saturday March 2016 FC Roundup Report | Beginning | Day 13 – Monday March 21st: Food Testers –>

You gotta have pie in Pietown, New Mexico!

Today we drove from Globe, Arizona, to Tularosa, w Mexico (see yesterday’s post here). We woke up early, aware we had a long drive ahead of us. We headed north out of Globe via Highway 60. We said goodbye to the Suhuaro and prickly pear cactus as we climbed rapidly into the mountains.

Our trip today took us from Globe, Arizona, to Tularosa, New Mexico.

After an hour or so we dropped into the beautiful Salt River Canyon along some twisty and windy roads. We soon stopped for some photos.

Ann at an overlook on the south side of the canyon.

A better view of the Salt River canyon.

Parked at an overlook on the north side of the canyon.

The rock wall on the opposite side of the road was pretty, too.

Continue reading →

<– Day 10 – Friday March 18th: The Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum  | Beginning | Day 12 – Sunday March 20th: High Plains Drifters –>

UPDATE: An additional Pic and Video:

Four handsome jeep guys. Left to Right, Craig Brockhaus (theFCConnection.com), Jesse Ybarra (A most excellent roundup host), Mark Smith (Jeeptruck.com/sellajeep.com/warjeeps.com), and me.

Tom Smith of Jeeptruck.com put this video together: Tom Smith’s 65-Sec Tour Jeep Video:

Original Post:
It’s late. Ann and I have to rise early for our drive to Tularosa, New Mexico tomorrow. So, my report will be short. Thanks to Jesse and Andrea for putting on another great event. Everyone I spoke with was enjoying themselves. It was good to see old friends and to meet others we’ve only known virtually! We look forward to next year.

Continue reading →

<– Day 9 – Thursday March 17th: Crowded Backroads & Exploding Beer Glasses | Day 11 – Saturday March 2016 FC Roundup Report –>

Today we didn’t do a whole lot, which meant we got some rest. The one thing we did do, visit the Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum, turned into a great opportunity. The museum, located in Miami, Arizona, celebrates the minerals, mines, and culture of the area. It was much larger than I thought it would be with some good exhibits.

The most interesting part of the museum for us was that we met the curator, Thomas Foster, who was very excited to hear about SLAG. So, I let him browse through my copy. He was so excited about the concept and its references to Arizona history, that he wants me to “get the damn thing finished ” so he could read it. And, he wants us to return this fall to give a presentation (which could mean more book sales). So, our one stop today was a good one 🙂

Photo borrowed from the museum’s website

<– Day 9 – Thursday March 17th: Crowded Backroads & Exploding Beer Glasses | Day 11 – Saturday March 2016 FC Roundup Report –>