We literally kept the ‘home fires burning all night’. Yesterday was all about ‘the climb’ . . . today was all about ‘the descent’. By 8:30am we were ready to go . . . it was 39.4 degrees!!!

This was an option to stay at in Hillsboro . . . I think the choices Margie made were better.

On the way out of town I took a shot of the mannequin in the cop car . . . looked like Barney Fife!

We had a twenty mile downhill straight east and then made a 90 degree turn south along the Rio Grande and followed the old highway all the way to Los Cruces.

Nice start to our day as TommyH rolls up a few hills at the start of our ride . . . good thing, it was cold!

For some reason Glen Campbell’s Wichita Lineman little diddie came to my mind . . .

Looking for some buffalo but didn’t see any . . . big grazing country here in the valley.

After a fast twenty mile downhill to the east, we came to our 90 degree turn to the south. We missed going to T or C by 5 miles. Too bad because it would have been fun to go, just because it is such a fun name!

Here was our turn . . . a wide spot of the Rio Grande,  Lake Carroll.

We stopped at the local RV supply store . . .

. . .  where Gina bought everyone cappuccinos from her new best friend, Wanda. In here earlier years, she had been known as ‘Wicked Wanda’

We are definitely out of the conifer forests and back into cactus land!!!

There must be a story behind this mural that fits the desert scenario. I couldn’t figure it out!

Her was Lil’ Abner’s, located right on the shore of Lake Carroll . . .

. . . as you can see one of the folks who chartered a boat didn’t quite stop at the dock like they should have. Must have been thirsty!!!

We are back in Border Patrol country. Their cars, trucks and jeeps are on the highways and covering the landscape like ants. Here was a check point for cars heading north.

I saw one of the Patrol stop his truck, open a a gate and proceed into the remote desert. Just down the road I came upon these two graves out in the middle of now where. Wonder if they were folks trying to get to the great US of A.

I keep forgetting it is actually winter/spring for these folks down here too. But some of the trees are just starting to pop. Nice!

Been seeing lots of Border Patrol and roadrunners crossing the road. Not sure what this poor bird is/was? Anyone know the species?

Our first sighting of the Rio Grande. Not much more than a creek here.

Dairy is fairly big in this area along with pecan tree plantations. Wonder how many of these feller’s are gong to end up on the plate as veal parmigana?

Now this was a funny sign . . . someone couldn’t resist using it for target practice!!

LOTS of peppers being grown in this area . . .

. . . some never made it in for processing. They are REALLY dry now!

Whenever we travel, Smoochie and I like to check out the markets to see what the locals eat. Not any real deal on avocadoes . . .

. . . but if you want a whole frozen Beef Head, you are in luck!!!

We ate lunch in Hatch, the half way point for our ride today. As we rolled out of town, I saw what looked like an interesting place . . .

here was Robin Hood trying to hit a telephone pole . . .

. . . across from the World Famous Burgers, BBQ and Shakes. Even Colonel Sanders and Ronald McDonald were waiting to get in for lunch. Standing room only. Too bad we didn’t know about this place before we ate lunch. We just found Map 2, which had been missing for 6 days, that described this place.

. . . and Uncle Sam was pushing the local produce. It was a fun place!!!

They are also growing something other than just peppers down here north of Las Cruces.

Another view of the Rio Grande. Not much water here!

After a quick 40 mile down river run, we entered the burbs of Las Cruces. Here are some of the higher end homes with a SW flair.

What I think of as a more traditional SW style home . . .

A lot of the homes have stone fences around them. Not sure why . . . maybe to keep the tumbleweeds out!!

Gina and Dan never came into the motel, stopping at a local bar. At 5:00pm, Tom, Linda, Margie and I went out for margaritas and Mexican food at two of the most well now restaurant’s in town. Here we are enjoying the artwork and the margaritas at the Double Eagle.

There was a more formal dining room . . .

. . . and here was the less formal garden dining room. We considered eating here but decided to spread our money around town and went to the famous La Posta. for dinner.

Great martini’s, steaks, baked potatoes and Tres Leches dessert. Might be funny food to have at a Mexican restaurant but we were all hungry for meat and potatoes. So hungry in fact there was no time for photos! Back to the motel and in bed by 9:30pm. Only 38 miles tomorrow to El Paso.