Packing up and leaving Pancho Villa was not hard, what was hard was leaving the liveliness of Mexico: the colors, music and culture. We were welcomed, wined & dined, and entertained by their customs and ancient warmth – across the border, “hasta la vista, baby”.
We headed north on HWY 11 thirty miles to Rock Hound State Park, nestled up against the Little Florida Mountains (or being from Colorado… Little Florida Mounds. Ain’t no 14ers here!) – just five miles south of Deming. This campground was a good deal more interesting that the flat, dry, windscape of Pancho Villa down south. Although the terrain was still dry, cactus laden and windy; everything was in bloom so not just ‘flat land’. There were elevation changes, space between camp sites and a view to Arizona. And yes, the ever present Border Patrol vehicles everywhere including check points, for those headed north.
In Southern Colorado where we made our home for 16 years, we had cactus on our land; Cholla, and Prickly Pear. Cholla (or walking stick), was rosetta-fuchsia in color: the Prickly Pear was either yellow or mauve. Coming into this desert, not far from the border, we had NO idea the smorgasbord of colors these cactus would present to delight our visual senses! We have found a new sense of appreciation for cactus!
It was not only the cactus that was in full bloom but the delicate Bird of Paradise, the whimsical Creosote bush, as well as, the spiky Ocotillo (crown of thorns). We had no idea there were so many vibrant colors in the windswept desert. AND yes the wind has been blowing non-stop (25 – 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph) since we left Portal, AZ April 24th. If only we had a wind powered generator on our RV home…
This campground was also home to an amazing chorus of birds that woke us up in the morning and sang us to sleep at night. These flying creatures were not quite an easy to see as those in Portal, but we found one we had not seen before… The Bullock’s Oriole, at least that is how the Ranger ID’d it. This brilliant yellow/orange Oriole would sit on top of the Ocotillo and sway with the wind while drawing out the nectar from the bright red trumpet shaped flowers. It was not so easy to take a picture of them – swaying as they were.
Spring Canyon, which is also a part of Rock Hound, is just down the road about 3 miles and a day use facility where there are trails to hike and the best chance of seeing an Ibex. The Ibex (a type of goat) were imported here from Persia in 1976 and are thriving. The road, although only 3 miles from our mostly flat campsite, is a roller coaster ride with a 17% grade up & down, with twists and sharp turns. If you climb all the way to the top it is a 3000 foot change in altitude. You must be out of this day-use facility by 4pm ’cause they lock the gate at that time.
We parked the truck at the trailhead/picnic area and I hiked up to Lover’s Leap which was a steep climb. The trail seemed extra steep when you factor in the 87 degree temperature of the day! I was so looking forward to seeing the Ibex, yet alas, they must have been reclining in the shade laughing at me out in the heat of the day… It was a HOT, STEEP hike to the saddle of Lover’s Leap: I was actually glad for the wind to cool me off by evaporation. On the descent I found myself on the trail, literally on my bum, several times from slipping on the shale path: Arnica, the Homeopathic remedy, would be needed when I reached the truck. Landing on one’s bum is a soft landing… no broken bones. LOL
Heading back to camp we rested a bit and in the evening the wind let up enough that we were able to have a small campfire. Small is the operative word – not knowing if it would remain calm or if the ‘gale-force’ winds would return at any moment. The was the first time we were able to have a campfire since we left Portal. We have missed the mesmerizing fire AND the soothing water of Cave Creek. The desert is amazing at this time of year, but we miss the coolness of pine trees and water. Soon…
So on Thursday the 5th of May we packed up and drifted to Leasburg State Park just north of Las Cruces, NM: where the Rio Grande meanders beside the campground.
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