Gila Cliff Dwellings

Day 15 - (March 15) Of all things; we woke up to snow flakes this morning. Our plan was to get up early and drive up to the Gila (HEE-La) Cliff Dwellings. We started up on Highway 15, a 44 mile route that they say takes a good 2 hours to drive. We got partway up and there was snow and ice on the roadway so we turned back disappointed. We drove back down to Silver City and found a place in town for breakfast and to wait out the weather. Silver City has a historic downtown founded in the mid 1800's as a mining town. Now it has small art galleries and shops. I thought it would be a small tourist town but it seems to have held its old charm with murals and local hangouts. Unfortunately, it was Monday and all the galleries were closed.

Late morning we called up to the cliff dwellings and not a drop of snow there so we headed back out. A long drive but boy was it worth it. We had about a mile and a half walk up to the dwelling and I was surprised when they let you climb up into all the caves. It is hard to believe that over 700 years ago these cliff dwellings were built and inhabited. The people who built the cliff dwellings were part of the Mongollon culture. The dwellings were built with rock, mortar, and timber and some of the original timber (Ponderosa Pine) still remain. Here are some pictures.

Day 16 - Biked 72 miles from Silver City to Hilsboro, New Mexico over Emory Pass (8200 feet).

Dawn and I shared the 40 or so miles on the flats but chose not to ride the pass (which was a good choice). Switchbacks all the way up and back down. A lot of snow at the top and it took forever for both the motor home and cyclists. It was not the kind of road that you would take such a large motor home on with no guard rails nor shoulders. Fortunately for the guys, there was very little traffic so they could take the whole narrow roadway. We waited for them at the top and when they arrived they bundled up with jackets and gloves for the descend. Everyone was tired and stressed. They flew down the 8-mile descend which dropped 3000 feet in elevation. In fact they made it to the bottom before Dawn and I did in the motor home. They thought that was a great descend and clocked upwards of 30 - 40 mph. The motor home was going about 15 mph. At Hilsboro they jumped in the motor home for a lift to the state park where we planned to camp. I think everyone was glad when the day ended.

Day 17 - St. Patricks Day. Hilsboro to Radium Springs. 70 miles. Dawn shuttled the 3 of us back to Hilsboro which was a charming small town. As we were unloading our bikes some locals came and chatted with us. It appears that folks just find their way to this small town and fall in love with the slow pace and peacefulness. The pictures of the busses, turned homes, were taken there. Started with a long climb which warmed us up and then it was rollers and open roadway all the way back to the campground where Dawn and I switched biking. I drove the motor home to Leasburg State Park and the bikers arrived about 3 hours later. That night to celebrate St. Pattys Day we went to dinner, wearing our Irish Bike Jerseys, to Las Cruces and the Texas Roadhouse BBQ.