Raven's Roads
Living an interesting life: the travels and musings
of motorcycling author Linda R. Moore

Apr 26, 2005

Ruidoso - April 23

An asterisk denotes that there is a photograph below.

We didn’t really get off to an early start, although I was up at seven. It didn’t matter. We took the scenic way down south, including NM highway 55 which was just awesome. I should be riding that way in a day or so, and I can’t wait. Straight, long, scenic, beautiful. (*)

Along the way we stopped at the Quarai ruins. (*) We rounded the corner and I went “whoah!” There have been people here since the 14th century,
though the main structure is rather older. Noticeable is that the mission incorporated native culture, as is shown by the presence of kivas. In other words, they got along together and respected one another. It was abandoned in the 17th century when famine and disease wiped the place out.

I was really impressed.

We got to Ruidoso National Forest in the late afternoon, and took the car beyond the pay area to the area at the end where you don’t pay. This involved fording a stream, at which time a loose piece of plastic decided to come off. The mountain dude got out to investigate and suddenly we were joined by an entire convention of cowboys (*) who were having a family gathering. Oakwoman and I got the giggles at this display of manly solidarity. We then delayed pitching camp for an hour while we met everyone, admired the horses, rode the horses (Oakwoman) (*) or were led around on the horses (me) (*).

It was quite magical. It seems that no matter where we go, good things happen. :-)

Later we went to pitch camp (*) and Crow and Penguin got romantic (*). It renews my faith in life to see interspecies romance. We baked spuds and corn, warmed up beans, said hello to people on horses from time to time and gazed into the fire.

Way cool.