RETURN TO PINEWILD

As the temps in Arizona rise, and a golf tournament is slated in North Carolina (in which Frosty will play), there’s only one thing to do: go back to Pinehurst... Actually, we are driving back to check on our house there and to take back things that belong to it but were erroneously delivered to Arizona.

False start... had forgotten to turn the thermostats up for the summer and left something that was supposed to come with us for the house in Pinehurst. So back we went. Luckily we were not too far on our way... to "RETURN TO PINEWILD."

We drove via Globe to our first day's overnight stay in Las Cruces. I was really impressed with the rock formations as we approached Globe, like these:

And some of the desert in the Pinal Mountains:

Some history of the area...

In 1875, prospectors found silver in the San Carlos Apache Reservation, including an unusual globe-shaped silver nugget. In just four years, the silver began to give out, but by then copper deposits were discovered. In the 1900s, the Old Dominion Copper Company in Globe ranked as one of the world's richest. The Old Dominion closed in 1931 and mining operations moved to nearby Miami.  Globe's economy remains heavily dependent on the mining industry, and as of 2008 the city was home to one of the few operating copper smelters in the United States.

In retirement, the old mine workings serve as the water supply for Globe-Miami and the district mines. (Photo: Jerry Willis)

The next "remarkable" thing was this view... looked like snow on the mountain top. Not so. It was a chalk quarry, or so we surmise. Anyway, the white stuff was chalk, as we found out as we turned the curve.

Along the way we saw this structure. Didn't really figure out what it was... maybe had to do with the chalk—or maybe it is part of the mining past? The copper smelter? Steam was shooting high up in the air for whatever reason.

What is that steeple? What is that gleam on the top? Ahaaa.... Angel Moroni! So happy to have run across this beautiful Gila Valley Temple.

See that "flat-teau" out there? It's New Mexico!

Welcome to New Mexico! Flat horizon beckoned (not)... and so did all the billboards advertizing famous Indian art and crafts. No, we did not stop—I don’t think we could have fitted another thing in the car! 

As we approach our goal for today, our first day of the cross-country trip, we were greeted by this enormous road runner, completely made of scrap-metal. What a sight! Welcome to Las Cruces!

Did you know (I didn't!) that Las Cruces ranks among the most desireable cities in America? It’s because of things like clear blue skies and over 340 days of sunshine a year; a unique quality of life that is enhanced by surroundings of natural beauty, protected forever as a national monument; a low cost of living; world-class healthcare facilities; a vibrant college-town atmosphere filled with arts, activities, and fun. Top it all with a friendly, small-town atmosphere with a rich cultural diversity that is celebrated by all—it’s qualities like these and more that have helped Las Cruces be ranked The Best repeatedly by national publications and organizations!

At the end of the day... last piece of New Mexico art, and a welcome stay at Hampton Inn,  our favorite.