NEW MEXICO

The first thing I noticed as I entered New Mexico on Highway 10 is the astonishing amount of freight rail traffic.  I saw five fully loaded freight trains in my first twelve minutes in the state, all pulling east or west with two or more diesel engines in front and (usually) a pusher in the rear; the terrain was getting  mountainous.     As I climbed higher, I saw hayfields, huge fields of nut trees, cows, fireworks stands, and the ubiquitous trains, trucks, and trading posts.  The land became more rolling and greener than Arizona, but still dry.

Plenty of fireworks, though.  For six hundred bucks (less 30% because you're spending more than one fifty) you could blow up the neighborhood.

I didn't detour to Truth or Consequences, NM (I'm one of the few who remembers when the town changed its name), but I did pass through Deming, "Home of Pure Water and Fast Ducks."  Didn't see any ducks--I expect they were too fast, like the cartoon Road Runner and the famous three legged chickens.

Like everyone else in the desert, Deming had its tank.

                         

Passing through Arizona and New Mexico lands roamed by Cochise, Mangas Coloradas and the Chiricahua Apaches was spine tingling.  The Apache had a good run, and were done in largely by US Army treachery.

Although New Mexico was prettier and more diverse than Arizona, I felt rushed because of the solar delay and missed a great deal.  I bypassed Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands Missle Range, Taos, and fortunately, the 40 inches of snow southern New Mexico got in December and the 105 inches northern New Mexico got.  Passed by the biggest dairy farm I've ever seen, though. 


NEXT: TEXAS.  FREEZING COLD TEXAS.