Lava Fires to Smokie with lots in between.

Valley of Fires, BLM
Carrizozo, New Mexico
Site #3

We awoke to some beautiful skies but knew the day was suppose to be very windy so we pulled out around 9 am.  Our travels didn't take us more than 60 miles up to Carrizozo, New Mexico but the crosswinds were very strong. At least it wasn't blowing dust like it was last year when we traveled with Don and Sharon Del Rosario over highway 54. 

There was a warning sign posted just before the turn off into the BLM.  It said the road could be closed when missiles are fired.  Hope today isn't one of them.

Bill pulled into the BLM land, Valley of Fires a little after 10.  We have a beautiful paved pull thru site with 50 amp and water.  There is a nice covered patio with table and grill.  Oh yeah, the best part is $9.00 a night with our old folks park card.

 Thank goodness we have the 6 point level ups.  I don't think we could have gotten it level without them.  

We walked over to the nature walk and I thought I could walk a little on it, since it was paved. 

It was a downhill walk and the wind was blocked.

The trail had many information signs.

It was a beautiful hike and one I could manage with my healing heel.

Can you find the creature in the photo?

How about this one?

At last, we're back to the fiver, but not for long.  Our purpose in staying here was to visit Fort Stanton so we headed out.  The weather was forecasting rain but all we saw was blue skies.  

The drive took us up the Capitan Mountains which have an altitude of 10,083 feet, but I don't think we were that high.

Fort Stanton was so worth the drive over.  I've always felt that I should give the readers a little taste of a site, without mentioned everything.  That way you can see it some day and have some surprises.  

Just a few tidbits and hopefully you'll want to add this to your bucket list.  The fort was established in 1855.  General Black Jack Pershing, Billy the Kid, Tularosa Ditch War, tuberculosis hospital, distressed seamen, prisoners of war, correctional facility, drug rehabilitation center, Kit Carson those are just some of the highlights.  The Fort Stanton State Historic Site was established in 2013.

The weather was still beautiful so we drove back to Capitan to visit the Smokey Bear Museum.  

Smokey Bear is the only person other than the President that has his own zip code.

I must say it was very well done and fun.

I was amazed at this sign and fact.  Hard to believe they compare a fire to an atomic bomb.

The gardens were beautiful.

His grave site was tastefully done.

Smokey's grave site also had this tree carving.

Another wonderful day in this beautiful country.  There's something to see everywhere.

Turtle Safely......