Today was all about ‘the climb’. We had a gradual climb to Emory Pass topping out at 8,255ft. Might be the highest point on our trip! The ride was spread over 55 miles.

Tonight we would be overnighting in two houses located in Hillsboro. One house has two rooms and one four rooms. So . . . we picked numbers to decide who was staying where. Here Tom draws what he thinks is the lucky #1. He drew #5 which meant he had the fifth pic of a bedroom.

I headed out about 8:30am.

On the outside of town was the Santa Rita mine, a REALLY big one. They are not a pretty site.

Here was a roadside attraction . . .

. . . if you look close enough you can see the nun (you might need to squint and use your imagination).

All roads in town evidently lead to the mine so they actually mention those that do not!!

When you have 4,580 feet to climb you HATE to see a sign like this right out of town because . . . what goes down, must come back up!

We’ve seen these signs since we entered New Mexico. Evidently people don’t move around much on weekend’s if it snows!!!

Here was someone’s dream that did not work out so well . . .

Once again we entered the Gila National Forest as we began our big climb . . .

. . . which we would be passing over some where over our left shoulder.

Soon we were in a canyon that I was not sure how we would get out of. You can see the yellow curve sign in the red circle.

Our first several thousand feet were through canyons and rocky areas . . .

. . . and finally we climbed back into the forest. Up and Up we climbed.

Finally we got to the snow line and the remnants of a 80,000 acre fire, started by lightning, that had burned in 2012.

Somewhere down below was our home for the night . . . Hillsboro.

The top of Emory Pass was windy and COLD . . . at 8,253 ft. But what a view!!!

Once we went over the top it was a LONGGGGGGGG downhill, 16 miles to be exact, to Hillsboro. The red circle marks where to passed over.

Who knew that the Chattahoochee bridge was located right here in Grant County, NM. There is even a plaque for Billie Jo McAlister (who jumped off the bridge).

I was the first one into Hillsboro . . . here was downtown.

The village cannot afford police services so they bought a used county squad, put a CPR mannequin in the drivers seat, and parked it at the main intersection. Its been there for years!!!

The one store in town . . .

. . . and some local Hillsboro humor.

This was the place that was listed on our spreadsheet . . . glad it was a mistake!

Here was the ‘boys’ house. It is supposedly haunted! We’ll find out.

The owner, Catherine, does her best here to mimic the American Gothic painting pose.

Nice sitting area . . . we’ll be using the fireplace tonight. The brand new furnace is not working.

I had number 3, so claimed the front room . . .

. . . Dan was number 4, so claimed the back room. Tom claimed the ‘casita’ in the back yard.

This would be the scene of activity tonight as we prepared our gourmet dinner.

No cell phone or wi-fi and barely a landline!

. . . and the place is for sale. It has quite a history!

The girl’s house was right across the street. Good choice for them we thought it was a little too ‘fussy’ for the guys.

The front sitting room . . .

Dining room and kitchen entrance . . .

. . . everything one need for a good time . . .

. . . too bad we are only staying one night.

. . . even a toy box full of puzzles.

Gina had the number 1 pick this morning, so she chose the front room . . .

. . . Margie got the back room and Linda got the couch by the fireplace.

Margie was the first one in the kitchen to start the sweet potatoes . . .

Snacks in the boy’s house . . .

Yummy diced ‘tators!

Chicken tenderloins . . .

. . . prepared by our Chef du Jour, Two-Hat Tom.

The dinner was a big hit . . . followed by chocolates around the wood burning fireplace!!