August in the mountains of New Mexico

I wanted to continue telling you about my busy week last week.  We had a great time with Don and Kenna, but they had to go back to the heat in TX on the 1st of August, Monday.

AUGUST 2, TUES - Don is our hiking planning and guide usually.  He planned a hike to Cloudcroft, which is about 50 miles from Ruidoso.  Cloudcroft is even higher in altitude than Ruidoso.  Going on the hike was Don & I, Paula(Don's sister), Sharon(friend) & Marshall(he was driving his truck). We met at our house about 8:30. Piled in the truck with backpacks, water and snacks. 

Don had planned a hike along the Osha trail close to Cloudcroft that was about 2 1/2 miles on a pretty level trail.  Very peaceful and beautiful views of White Sands and old railroad trestle that you can see in this picture. I was along too.

 Marshall found his first geocache along this trail. 

 Old trestle, we will need to go back and walk along the trail with the trestle, lots of geocaches on that trail.

 Good trail lots of shade and the city had placed benches along the trail

Found this very unusual looking mushroom along the trail

After the trail we went to The Lodge for lunch.  This is always a fun treat.

After lunch the next stop was Sunspot, NM, about 17 miles up the mountain.  This is the solar observatory.  We took a tour that explained the telescopes and buildings on the property.

By about 4:00 we were heading back to Ruidoso and Marshall had mentioned that he wanted to take us by the barn and stables at the racetrack to show us all the horses his son-in-law owns and trains.

The Stables of Paul Jones

 Sharon loves the horses

This is Erasmus B Dragon he is a nipper if you get too close

 This is Marshall's wife's horse

 We all had to pet them!

 This one is a million dollar horse, won lots of important races

Run Naked, is one to watch in the American Futurity trials and race

We all had a fun day with friends and were ready to get home to let our dogs out after a long day alone.  Abby was fine!!

AUGUST 3, WED - Played pickleball in the morning and then had to clean house, clean porches, & cook in preparation for Pickleball party at our house tonight.  We thought we might have 40 or 50 people on the porches in the front and back.  When 6:30 pm rounded around it was pouring rain right when people were arriving.  All the plans I had for the party went out the door because everyone was wet and cold.  We had about 32 show up and they were all on the back porch.  It turned out fine just not the way I had it planned.  It was a little crowded & didn't have many takers on the cold drinks & the back porch overflowed into the house where it was warmer.  

 Carolyn, De, Sharon and John

 Andrea(from OKC) Hillger and Bonnie Ward

 Horace, Sherri and Nole

 Me and Andrea Huff

 We invited Raymond and Paula to meet everyone and the Head Pickle is on the right Gary Beatty

 John and Marshall

 Rich, Ricki and Sherri

Ann, Bob and Maurice

Glad we got the rain, glad we had a large covered porch, & glad for good friends in Ruidoso.

AUGUST 4, THURS - Played pickleball and after lunch, my 90 yr old neighbor called and wanted us to come over about 3:00 and play Mexican train & each dinner with them.  I had turned her down before, so I knew we better go over.  We played until 8:00 pm.  

AUGUST 5, FRI - Don had planned another hike for our group on Friday. This one was to Bonita Lake and the trail was Big Bonito. 

 Hiking buddies, Don, Marshall, Paula, Me and Sharon is taking picture

Sharon knows how to pose for a picture. She & I are the ones that usually take the pictures.

 Preparing for the hike, putting on sunscreen

Going to the restroom

Saw this beautiful butterfly on the trail

 We found a few bones on the trail signs. Marshall thought one would look good through his nose.

 Time for rest and a snack

 I tried to take a picture with the timer on the camera so I could be in it.  How do you think I did? 

Beautiful mossy rocks that I wanted to take home with me.

The hike was of moderate difficulty about 5 miles long. Clouded up and started pouring rain as soon as we got in the car to drive down the mountain.  Thanks goodness it waited.  Marshall took us to go to his house and have glass of wine and snacks & a tour of his son-in-law's house.   

His dogs Okie and Ginger

Got home in time to take a shower and a nap and then had to get ready to go to Fort Stanton about 7:30 for a lantern tour of the Fort with character in dress.  

 Dan(Sharon's husband) Raymond, Paula and Lydia(pickleball friend)

 Sharon and Marshall

Dan Allen

Lantern Tour told about life at Ft. Stanton & lots of history

 This week we had rain on 5 days and it averaged about 1/2 inch each day.  This helped the forest fire situation and they lifted some of the fire restrictions.  The temperature when it starts to rain is usually in the sixties.  Good News!!

A lot of people will ask me what I do in Ruidoso during the summer. They usually act like it would be boring in a little town with not much shopping.  I do miss the shopping sometimes but I don't have time to get bored.
I feel like I am busier here than in OKC.  Lots to do in the cool mountain air!

Ruidoso on Dwellable