Part 5 April 6-April 12, Days 27 to 33

Day 27 Wednesday April 6 We drove to Willcox on I-10 then west on 186 to the Chiricahua National Monument. This is an area in the mountains which had volcanic ash compressed to tuff which since warn down by wind and rain to interesting rock shapes. We drove the road to the top of the mountain and took a two short hikes taking in the scenery. We ate lunch on the top of a mountain visiting with a nice couple who are full time RVers for the last 18 years. There was rain around and we got a few drops with lots of wind. We drove out the monument and took 186 to 191 north cutting off left to the Dragoon Road back to I-10 and back to the RV park.

Day 28 Thursday April 7 Today was rock hound day. We went East on I-10 to Bowie then headed north out of town trying to follow the directions in a rock hound book. We did 25 miles on some good and bad dusty roads. We are not sure we got to the right place but there was lot of chalcedony some of which seem to have some fire in them. Can’t tell for sure until the rocks are all cleaned up. We drove around a bit stopping to check out various places. After going around the mountain we found a better road out of where we were, coming out at San Simon 14 miles East of Bowie. It was windy and temperature was in the mid-70’s so we had a pleasant day weather wise. Only critters we saw were cows and a few birds. Fun day. Hot tub after dinner. Can’t wait to clean up those rocks.

Day 29 Friday April 8 We left Benson and headed East on I-10 going to Deming, NM. Spent the night at Little Vineyard RV park space 133. Nice park with large spaces and wide roads. After sitting up the motor home we went to the Chamber of Commerce to get some local information. Then we went to Rock Hound state park which is close by to check it out. We may spend a night there. On the way, stopped at a spectacular rock shop with many tons of raw rocks and beautiful specimens. Suppose to be windy tomorrow.

Day 30 Saturday April 9 We went to Rockhound State Park. I went up the mountain to find some geodes while Judy searched to lower slopes. We found some interesting rocks but no geodes. It started getting windy as the weather man predicted. Lots of dust in the air and very little traffic on the road. We left the mountain and went back to the motor home. Windy and dusty all day long.

Day 31 Sunday April 10 Judy and I went for a drive today. We drove to Silver City which is just North of Deming and took the Trail of the Mountain Spirits scenic way. It took us past the Santa Rita (aka Chino) copper pit mine and through the mountains. When we got to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument turn off we drove the extra miles. It is a very interesting place where the Mogollon people 1000 years ago built there homes in the caves high above the Gila river. Some of the places we were allowed to walk into. It is amazing to think that we could walk in their homes where they lived so long ago. We finished driving the scenic loop and stopped in Silver City for a nice prime rib dinner with all the fixings. Not on our diet but very good eating. Did a little grocery shopping before getting home. It was cool and windy today with the maximum temperature about 64 with cooling to 50 by 9 pm.

Day 32 Monday April 11 We went rock hounding again today. There is a fluorite mine (calcium fluoride) just about 10 miles north east of Deming. We found the mine and dug in the tailing pile and found a few very nice pieces of mostly green color and a few purple crystals. Windy and there were some honey bees bugging us so we quit. There was another close mine which has bubbly manganese ore. The road to it was very faint but we found it and got some botryoidal psilomelane. A good rock hounding day. Now the good news and the bad news. I found that we still had a leak in the motor home. The water line going to the hot water heater had a pin hole leak. Unfortunately, it was where the pipe comes through the floor in the closet.. We have made a temporary fix by wrapping the pipe in a special tape and then covering it with “Goop”. Hopefully, this will be a good temporary fix. Will see in the morning. Also, today mailed some packages and cleaned the dirty motor home after many days of dusty winds.

Day 33 Tuesday April 12 We left Deming and headed north on 180 turning right on 26 going East to I-25, a short cut instead of going to Los Cruces. We went North on 1-25 to Socorro spending the night at Casey’s Socorro RV Park row D. After setting up, I turned on the cold water to the hot water tank and put a paper towel around were the leak was. We had time to go to the mineral collection at the Mining Tech School. It was fabulous. Makes one salivate. Stopped a super junk store and bought a blanket for Goldie so we have one for picnics, etc. Got back to the motor home and saw I had forgotten to take the weather station off. Survived ok. Checked the fixed leaky water line and the paper towel was dry. Whew!!!