City of Rocks

Before going any further, we must acknowledge our great shock and sorrow at the tragic loss of our dear blogging friends Bruce and Margie. We have shared "blogland" with them it seems forever, and we were fortunate to have met them in person when they stopped in Benson no too long ago. For more information and a wonderful tribute to Margie and Bruce, please see Rick and Paulette's blog.
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We had heard so much about the City of Rocks State Park in New Mexico, we just had to go see for ourselves. We planned on three nights with a little sightseeing and a bunch of kicking back. Plus we had to go to WalMart in Deming for supplies, especially a new George Foreman Grill. Ours had died a few days earlier, and we use George to cook all our meat and fish in our current food regime.

When we got our first glimpse of City of Rocks, it was a "so what?" moment. It looked like a very small RV park and a row of odd looking rocks.

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

And to a certain extent, we weren't wrong about what it looked like. Turns out the "small RV park" was simply those ten sites in the park that had electric hookups.

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

And the row of odd looking rocks was the front group of "a massive array within a truly geologic monument formed by large sculptured rock columns, or pinnacles, rising as high as 40 feet and separated by paths or lanes resembling city streets. These rocks were formed about 34.9 million years ago when a very large volcano erupted. Then, erosion over millions of years slowly formed the sculptured columns seen here today."

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

Nestled in and among the rock formations lie dozens of camp sites, many of them available to medium-sized motorhomes like our Rocinante, but just as many walk-in sites for tent campers. Most of these sites have a level platform with a picnic table and fire pit.

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

One site was closed off with a warning sign: Falling Rock. Looking at the second picture, you'll get an idea why they may be concerned!

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

Near one of the campsites were these holes in a flat rock slab. The Mimbres Indians who lived here centuries ago surely used them for grinding meal.

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

Not far along the road we found this group of Cub Scouts out for the weekend. And shortly before that we had seen a Boy Scout troop in one of the group campgrounds.

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

It looked as if most of the Cubs had brought their parents with them.

There were two windmills in the park, and I knew our pal Mike would want to see pictures of them. 

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

These two old crows found a neat perch on one of the windmills!

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

Other wildlife we saw? Not much. There was this little lizard.

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

There were these hawks perched high on the huge boulders, looking for a mid-morning nsack. We didn't bring our bird book along, so I can't identify them. Maybe one of our readers will be kind enough to let us know,

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

On Saturday morning as I sat reading email and blogs, Suzy and I watched as at least 25 to 30 vehicles drove past our site here at City of Rocks. Five or more of the units were emblazoned "Search and Rescue," a few were Grant County or New Mexico State official vehicles, several pulled horse trailers and the rest were private vehicles, many with important looking radio antennas attached to their roof.

After a quick breakfast, I set out to see where they were and at least get some pictures. Not a qualified searcher (you do have to have a certain amount of training and orientation), I did not want to bust into the middle of the group and start asking questions. I found them just 150 yards from our site, the horse trailer group in a clearing beside the park restroom, the rest above the road in a group campground.

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

Before long, we saw searchers combing the area close to our RV loop. I intercepted a group on the road to snoop and ask questions. . While I can think of far more fun ways to spend a day, I thank God there are people interested enough and willing to give up their time and energy, as well as the costs involved, for this wonderful public service! We just hadn't seen the notice at the visitor center.

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

Turns out this was a state-wide training exercise! There actually was a man out there somewhere as a target for the rest to try to locate and "save." There are approximately 60 individuals who signed up for the training exercise this warm and sunny October day.

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

As usual, there are more pictures of the park, the rocks, and the searchers on our web album.


So we learned something good on this warm and sunny October day in ... Our Life on Wheels!

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue

From 2010 City of Rocks and Search and Rescue