After spending three months in New Mexico, we still love this part of the country!  The northern part of the state is amazing.  Georgia O'Keeffe country at its best.  Got to spend some quality time there in back of the 'ol camera - couldn't have enjoyed it more.  The colors and landscapes are awesome, especially in the fall.

Moved on to the southeast part of New Mexico, which is very different in all aspects.  This is where the desert meets the southern plains so the environment is quite unique.

We have been enjoying camping and volunteering at the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge since October 1st.  Great refuge, especially if you are a birder!  About 12,000 Sand Hill Cranes make this refuge their winter home, as do many other birds.  Quite a sight and sound as they fly over the 'rig' in the mornings and evenings.  Lots of snow geese, white pelicans and water birds of every type and description.  Also lots of rattlesnakes and other creepy critters, which I avoid at all cost!👎

Before spending time here, I was not aware of  much of the history of the area.  We've really enjoyed exploring on our time off, and have seen amazing ruins and monuments.  I had no idea there were so many notable historic sites to visit. 

Visiting the ancient ruins of the Salinas Missions, built before 1600 a.d. were especially beautiful and interesting.  Quite the story involving Franciscan monks.

Southern New Mexico is also 'Billy-the-Kid' country so there are many historic sites and monuments telling all the stories of the 'old' west.  Even saw his grave!  And, of course, the grave of Smokey the Bear.  Yes, there really was a bear cub that died in a fire and later became the forest fire prevention symbol we all know!

The wildlife refuge is just a few miles outside Roswell, a city that takes its UFO/alien mystery from 1947 very seriously!  The whole town really gets into the action!😂

While exploring an area a little northwest of Roswell, we found ourselves in the midst of huge cattle ranches in the vicinity of where the UFO 'event' took place.  In the little town Corona, nearest the 'site', I found this sign - - couldn't resist snapping a picture!  (LOL!)  Soooo polite!

As always, I have learned some things while visiting here.  One of the lessons I'll take with me is to NEVER consider a career hulling pecans!!!  Nope - - I'll leave that to the pros and machines!  A friend at the refuse gave us a quart-sized bag of pecans he had just harvested from his small orchard; two movies and three PBS specials later, I finally had about 1-1/2 cups of nut meats extracted.  I had pecan shells everywhere - - even found some in my underclothes!  My advice - - do NOT consider this as a career goal - EVER!😖

In a few weeks we'll be leaving Roswell and heading west into Arizona for a few months of warm winter weather and more exploring.  The spring months will find us back at Silver Falls State Park, near Salem, OR, for three more months of volunteer work at that park.  We're still enjoying our vagabond lifestyle - - not planning to quit anytime soon!

More blogs to come as we continue our 'adventures'.  In the meantime, take good care, and above all, be happy!😁