To day was our well deserved rest day and most slept in until about 8:30am. I was at the restaurant across the street at 6:16am.

Margie hit another home run with the Copper Manor, our home for two nights . . . only $54/room!!!

It’s hard to get into a new routine. At home, I take my pills every morning with cranberry juice. Here is my routine on the road. The last thing usually do is load my vino in the cooler, so I take my pills with a little of the grape!

Today we are traveling 40 miles to the Gila Cliff Dwellings, a settlement of natives who lived in caves about 1200AD. We were going to rent a car but decided to take Tom’s rig. One would have to sit in the WAY BACK. On the way up Gina volunteered.

Our happy crew ready for a road trip!!!

I forgot to bring a hat to ward of the sun on my bald spot and decided to buy one at the Visitor Center. I told Ranger Rita I wouldn’t buy one unless she posed for a photo . . . she said sure.

When we found out she was from Stevens Point, WI and went to school in Ripon, it was time for a group shot!

A Gila monster stalked us up to the ruins . . .

Our first sighting of the ruins on the trail leading up the hill . . .

Rooms 2 & 3

The natives did a lot of cooking in the rooms and over time the ceilings blackened from the soot.

Rangers were on sight to give us all the history and details.

One of the native paintings . . .

. . . and another.

Rooms 4 & 5.

The weather, freezing and thawing over the eons taking its toll . . .

After all the hiking it was time to hit the hot springs. We made a wrong turn here . . .

. . . and ended up at a goat farm. Lots a REALLY cute . . .

kids running and chasing each other.

This guy had special ’earrings’.

There were three pools with varying temps. I was under STRICT orders for NO journal pictures.

Pool two . . .

Pool three . . .

But soon everybody wanted their photo taken!!!

After an hours soak, it was time to head back to Silver City for dinner. Linda agreed to take the back seat on the way back.

On the way back we saw this ‘ghost bike’ out in the middle of nowhere, signifying that some bicyclist had died here in an accident.

GREAT views on the way back to Silver City.

Funky downtown artwork . . .

. . . it’s that kind of town!!!

We went to a local brew pub for burgers and beers . . .

. . . and after a few beers, Margie tore the arm off her chair!!!!

Gina bought a yummy dessert along with six spoons. We all shared it making it disappear. Thanks Gina!!!

Here was a local with a unicycle/bicycle/skateboard. He bought it on Craigslist. It’s the only one he had ever seen. Only one we had never seen one!!!

Now all we had to do was get back to the motel. After a few micro brews that  . . . can be challenging. That curb Margie is about to step off of is about 18 inches high!!!! and don’t hit the motorcycle!!!

A great day off with a great group activity. Tomorrow it’s back to the salt mines, 70 miles, mostly up hill, to Hillsboro!