Meandering West...

[DDT (12)]

Ruidoso is a nice and interesting place. Up in the hills, it benefits from that elevation in terms of natural air conditioning, and it is in a pleasant riding area. Like so many nice places nowadays, however, it has been discovered! And, worse, the word has gotten out!!! Folks flocking there from all over, building construction in every direction, California refugees who want to remake their new home into what they just fled… You know, make it better and such… just like it was...
 

We put our kickstands up and twisted our throttles early that morning, wanting to get a jump of traffic… well, that was the official, sensible explanation. Actually, the sun comes up out there really early this time of year, but I’m still up before sunrise. Time zone changes, sleep patterns, body clock vs. local time, lack of complete bladder control just yet… for all of those reasons, I’m up and wide awake… early.
 

Jerry is oblivious and, apparently, immune to all of that! He has graciously compensated, though, by simply going to bed earlier, and I by trying to be quiet and not disturb him… We’ve made the adjustment, and we are free to leave as early as we want…

Pretty cool early, though, so we have to add layers knowing full-well we’ll probably be peeling some of them off later… All part of the drill, of course, but very much worthwhile in order to be out there!

 
A few years back, a local in Cloudcroft had tipped me off regarding a backroad I could take between there and Ruidoso… Jerry and I took that road that morning, and it was a most pleasant ride… cold, but still a nice ride! Uphill all the way, so no easing of the temp in our favor, but… It does pay to be prepared for a wide range of temp variations when one travels for extended periods!

 
In fact, speaking of cold, the weather everywhere we’ve been so far has been cool or cold! Great news for a couple of guys who are willing to ride hundreds of miles out of their way to avoid heat! The unseasonably wet weather we’ve been playing hind-and-seek with has also brought with it unseasonably cool temps… and we’re mighty proud of that! Our way-off-course route has resulted in mostly dry conditions, and it has also been most pleasant temp-wise, even this far south!


We stopped for a couple of pictures in Cloudcroft and to use the public facilities… We passed on having breakfast there, even though I just happen to know of a place that serves coconut pie… I took my pulse and felt my forehead just in case… Yep, I was OK, it seemed…

 
Cloudcroft ‘Business District’… made for tourism… Store fronts look old- time but are actually rather modern…



Riding down from Cloudcroft towards Alamogordo… A wee peek at White Sands in the background…

fallout 3 wanamingo

Another view on the same ride down…




We made our way on down the mountain, topped off with fuel, then made our way westward by the USAF base there… Many years ago I had ridden by there just at sunset, and I saw three stealth fighters just after take-off fly over the highway. WOW! I’d never seen or heard anything about those at that time, so it was a weird sight to behold! Peculiar looking aircraft for sure… Jerry and I saw nothing like that on our ride through. Lots of white sand, though…


At the visitors’ center at White Sands NM there is a gift shop with lots of doodads and trinkets suitable for gifts. We all need to find convenient places like that so we can tackle that important chore… the one that will buy us peace when we return home… Jerry and I took out ‘insurance policies’ there… the prices were steep, but bargains in the long run if they work!

 
White Sands National Monument…


 

Having taken that load off our minds, we made our way over another mountain, through Las Cruces, and on to Deming, our respite site for the evening. By the time we’d arrived, I was running out of steam. We did visit a Mexican restaurant across town that had been recommended to us, but afterward I took a pass on the Lazy Lizard Lounge back at the motel… Back in the day I’d perched upon a stool in there many times… alas, that was then and this is now…

 
DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

What ? You passed up on a place called the Lazy Lizzard ?    Say it ain't so.   Enjoying the stories of your guys travels immensely.   My brother was born in Alamagordo while my Dad was stationed there. Being 18 months though, I remember nothing of it.
 Can't wait to hear about Zion.  

[Valkorado]

Looks like you're still having a large time!

Up before sunrise?   I'm wanting to do 92 with you guys,  but I'll need to get to Montrose,  Delta or Crawford to do so.   I don't get going before dawn,  especially with the hooved critters!   I'll be in touch!

[DDT (12)]

What ? You passed up on a place called the Lazy Lizzard ?  Say it ain't so.  Enjoying the stories of your guys travels immensely.  My brother was born in Alamagordo while my Dad was stationed there. Being 18 months though, I remember nothing of it.
 Can't wait to hear about Zion. 

Rob,

Thanks, as always! Yep, while the older I get better and better I was, alas, it's pretty much been a downhill slide the past few years! Now, with this bladder control thingy to contend with, too, I'm quite reluctant to partake of the barley pops for now. I've been saving myself for IZ! I did weaken one time while out with SmokinJoe not long ago, and I did pretty well... ahead of projections, anyway. Still, I'm refraining for now... but that will likely end in another week and a half! Yeah, the west is really something!!! Nothing like this in Florida, I guarantee it! We did Zion the other day... naturally I'm several days behind with my travelogue... Nothing new there though, huh...

DDT

Looks like you're still having a large time!

Up before sunrise?   I'm wanting to do 92 with you guys,  but I'll need to get to Montrose,  Delta or Crawford to do so.   I don't get going before dawn,  especially with the hooved critters!   I'll be in touch!

Seth,

We are indeed having a very large time!!! Once upon a time I made a statement that would apply here just as well, "Please don't pinch me... If I am dreaming, I don't want to wake-up yet!!!" Jerry and I both have broken the needles on our fun gages plumb off some time ago!

We'd love to have you and/or Cheryl join us for all or any part of that ride... Montrose, Delta, Hotchkiss... wherever! Let's do stay in touch and see what we can work out... I doubt we'll be out very early that day, as we don't have a huge distance to cover. We could always just keep an eye out for each other approaching from opposite directions and meet-up that way. The forecast is, as always, a little dicey, and some showers could become a nuisance, but I'm confident we can manage... Looking forward to it!

DDT

[DirtyDan]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunspot_Solar_Observatory  ?

Dan

[DDT (12)]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunspot_Solar_Observatory  ?

Dan

Dan,

Thanks for the link. Jerry and I didn't go that way, but I have visited there long, long ago. Reb mentioned the 'array' in a reply to another of my posts, and that's another place Jerry and I didn't visit. Like the sunspot place, however, I've also been to the array several times... once to be shown, then later to show it off to others! A couple of other observatories in the southwest I've visited at different times, too... All visits to those places are worthwhile to me, and I'm always glad I went and got exposed to so much about their work I know very little about!

My postings, obviously, lag behind our actual travels... I plan to mention your visit to see us in Kingman a few days ago. It was a nice surprise to have you drive up after all and spend some time... Looking forward to picking up where we left off when we arrive in Taos!

DDT

[Bigwolf]

Wow! What a trip this has been and continues to be!

I liked Cloudcroft.  Too bad most of the shops weren’t open that early in the morning.
Here’s another photo with our trusty steeds in Cloudcroft.


I never thought that I would be using my cool/cold weather gear this early in this trip, let alone using it while riding in the Deep South not far from the Mexican border.  But there it is!  Yesterday was the first day since I rolled out of my driveway that I didn’t need the warm gear.

Traveling with a long time motorcycle gypsy is such a blessing.  The best rides are pointed out and not all of them are well known. ..... meaning, you probably would not find them on your own.  That little back road between Ruidoso and Cloudcroft was nice, very nice!  I am so fortunate to be on this trip with Bruce.  Thanks again my friend!

[MarkT]

Man I'm jealous!  I'd love to ride with Bruce as guide on a long distance tour.  Been only on more local, 2-300mile rides with him.  You are especially fortunate because he usually rides alone.  Which I totally respect and in fact I prefer also.  Unless it's a VERY small group which is OK too.

[DDT (12)]

I never thought that I would be using my cool/cold weather gear his early in this trip, let alone using it while riding in the Deep South not far from the Mexican border.  But there it is!  Yesterday was the first day since I rolled out of my driveway that I didn’t need the warm gear.

Traveling with a long time motorcycle gypsy is such a blessing.  The best rides are pointed out and not all of them are well known. ..... meaning, you probably would not find them on your own.  That little back road between Ruidoso and Cloudcroft was nice, very nice!  I am so fortunate to be on this trip with Bruce.  Thanks again my friend!



Jerry,

You are most welcome. You were a good friend to me when I really needed one, and it is my pleasure to say thanks by showing you around some of my 'backyard'! "ALI is my home, and it is a tiny little place... but, you won't believe the backyard!!!" You've heard me say that before, I just thought I'd share it with others.

Yeah, this entire trip has been a series of surprises right from the beginning! Our plans to visit the Black Hills and Badlands were made more than anything to allow us to travel on a northerly track to avoid the anticipated heat further south. Well, rain forced us south anyway, but cool temps accompanied those wet systems that kept surging through.

I had no idea we'd be in such relatively good traveling weather all of this time, but... All that, plus we've actually had a more scenic and better ride down this way than we would have had through South Dakota and all. Like I've also said many times... I'd rather be lucky than good!

DDT




Man I'm jealous!  I'd love to ride with Bruce as guide on a long distance tour.  Been only on more local, 2-300mile rides with him.  You are especially fortunate because he usually rides alone.  Which I totally respect and in fact I prefer also.  Unless it's a VERY small group which is OK too.



Mark,

Don't be jealous! While Jerry has had an unbelievable trip, it hasn't all been positive... He's had to share the trip with this solitary guy. You are quite correct in that I usually travel alone, and there is a reason for that. However, I'm trying to remain cordial and sociable... but it ain't always easy for this recluse! Jerry has been most tolerant and understanding, though, and I do give him much credit for being good company. No problems so far!!!

DDT

[Valkorado]

Quote:

"ALI is my home, and it is a tiny little place... but, you won't believe the backyard!!!" You've heard me say that before, I just thought I'd share it with others.

I'm starting to get the appeal of tiny homes!

Quote:

I doubt we'll be out very early that day, as we don't have a huge distance to cover. We could always just keep an eye out for each other approaching from opposite directions and meet-up that way.

That sounds like the way to do it.  If you don't get going very early,  I promise I won't either! 

You guys start deciding between good BBQ,  the local steakhouse or fine Italian.

[DDT (12)]

Seth,

Either of the first two for meal options, at least for this basic cuisine diner. I tolerate Italian food OK in terms of enjoying a meal... Afterward, however, there are usually unpleasant consequences, I'm afraid, so if the group wants to go that way... maybe I can just pack a bologna sandwich or something...

Do you know of a café or diner in Crawford where we might attempt to rendezvous? No, we'll make it a point to start a bit later Tuesday morning, so you can take it easy too! Meeting at a fixed point like a coffee shop or whatever somewhere would allow us to sit a spell and jaw some... Jerry needs to meet y'all, and neither of us have absolutely anything at all against taking a break and chatting... Do you have an approximate time for a link-up in mind?

DDT

P.S. Jerry just did a GTS and found Zack's BBQ in Hotchkiss, that serves breakfast. So, we're thinking that would be a great place for us to have breakfast and meet-up with y'all... What do you think? The location is one block off CO 92 at 721 East Bridge St. There is also Diamond Joe's in Crawford, located at 277 CO 92. Of course, we can also meet up at a service station or just along the road somewhere... ain't no big thang!

[Valkorado]

Seth,

Either of the first two for meal options, at least for this basic cuisine diner. I tolerate Italian food OK in terms of enjoying a meal... Afterward, however, there are usually unpleasant consequences, I'm afraid, so if the group wants to go that way... maybe I can just pack a bologna sandwich or something...

Do you know of a café or diner in Crawford where we might attempt to rendezvous? No, we'll make it a point to start a bit later Tuesday morning, so you can take it easy too! Meeting at a fixed point like a coffee shop or whatever somewhere would allow us to sit a spell and jaw some... Jerry needs to meet y'all, and neither of us have absolutely anything at all against taking a break and chatting... Do you have an approximate time for a link-up in mind?

DDT

P.S. Jerry just did a GTS and found Zack's BBQ in Hotchkiss, that serves breakfast. So, we're thinking that would be a great place for us to have breakfast and meet-up with y'all... What do you think? The location is one block off CO 92 at 721 East Bridge St. There is also Diamond Joe's in Crawford, located at 277 CO 92. Of course, we can also meet up at a service station or just along the road somewhere... ain't no big thang!

Zac's it is!  I have heard good things about it but never been there.  There's also the Mad Dog Cafe, but the food is mediocre and its only real claim to fame is that it was once owned by Joe Cocker. I'll be riding the Silver Bullet, solo so I can keep up.   

[DDT (12)]

Seth,

OK, Zack's, then. Hey, you won't have any problem keeping up, especially if I were to lead. Of course, if you were to lead, then... Jerry and I are really, really mellow riders, and we are committed 'tourists', meaning we gawk a lot and stop often. Sure hope you aren't camera shy...

DDT

[Valkorado]

Seth,

Sure hope you aren't camera shy...

I've been known to break cameras.   

[Charlie McCready]

Hey Bruce, glad you're having a good ride. I really enjoyed reading your posts about Alamogordo, Cloudcroft, Ruidoso, and White Sands. My sister lived in Alamogordo '85 -'90 and I had a ball wandering around in the desert for a week in '87. In '06 I rode the big road through Albuquerque and north to Denver headed to Frisco.  Have a good trip, be safe.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

There's also the Mad Dog Cafe, but the food is mediocre and its only real claim to fame is that it was once owned by Joe Cocker.

That's got to be the VRCC (mis)statement of the year!

[Valkorado]

There's also the Mad Dog Cafe, but the food is mediocre and its only real claim to fame is that it was once owned by Joe Cocker.

That's got to be the VRCC (mis)statement of the year!

Hmmm. I did investigate further and discovered that Joe (and Pam) owned the Mad Dog Ranch.  I guess Pam owned the Cafe (she no longer does).  When I last ate there the food was not anything worth raving about.  What else do you have an issue with?

[Black Pearl's Captain]

No issue at all. They also use to ride a Valkyrie but the past is the past. It's been closed the few times I've been by. I'd park a Valk in front of that cafe in a heartbeat and see if anyone comes to chat.

[Valkorado]

Understatement?

[DDT (12)]

Hey Bruce, glad you're having a good ride. I really enjoyed reading your posts about Alamogordo, Cloudcroft, Ruidoso, and White Sands. My sister lived in Alamogordo '85 -'90 and I had a ball wandering around in the desert for a week in '87. In '06 I rode the big road through Albuquerque and north to Denver headed to Frisco.  Have a good trip, be safe.

Charlie,

Thanks for the reply, ol' friend! Yeah, lots of fond memories for me too out here... Sure wish you were along with us... Heck, we could make some more!!!

DDT

There's also the Mad Dog Cafe, but the food is mediocre and its only real claim to fame is that it was once owned by Joe Cocker.

That's got to be the VRCC (mis)statement of the year!

Raymond,

Hey, bud! Long time! Were you at the first VOA thing in Montrose? I was... we even went over to Crawford to see Pam (Joe didn't show), and to have a humongous picnic style Valkyrie lunch there in downtown. I'd had ALI less than a year then, and that was my first Valkyrie gathering. Long time ago now... that was in the summer of '99...

DDT

Understatement?

Seth,

Nah... An understatement would be calling Moby Dick a minnow or a tax increase small... See ya in the morning! (That's no misstatement, is it?)

DDT

[Valkorado]

   

Bruce and Jerry,

I thoroughly enjoyed eating, riding and chewing the fat with you guys today.  Quite the epic journey you're in midst of, breathe it all in and relish the experience!