| We left Nuevo Casas Grandes but still had 150 miles of
the Chihuahuan desert to the US border. Miles of scrub and flat. Several
army checkpoints since this is border bandit country. It is hard to imagine
a more inhospitable place. However they were courteous and we had no
trouble. I guess it was because our reason to be there was obvious. |  |
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We finally reached Palomas which was to be our crossing point. This is less
third worldish than Agua Prieta but only because there is almost nothing
there but the border post - on either side. First we had to deal with the
Mexican authorities and return our tourist visas and the permit for the
camper. I removed it from the windscreen which apparently I'm not supposed
to do, but it was OK and soon we were free to cross into the US. |
| The Americans have built a wall to stop the Mexicans
getting in - well, more likely to be seen to be doing something since
appears to have little effect. We were told to leave the RV and sit in a
wire cage while five of them including a dog searched the RV. But no
problems and in 20 minutes we were finally on our way. But it was still a
stressful experience. Americans still know how to make you feel welcome! |  |
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There are probably more people work in Palomas/Columbus than live there. I
can't imagine working there let alone living even close. It is another 30
miles north to Deming, the first populated town in the US. However Palomas
does have lots of dentists and pharmacies to service Americans who come down
for these services which are MUCH cheaper in Mexico than in the US. |
| North of the border isn't really much different to
south of it. The scrub is the same and the roads are just as flat albeit a
little wider. |  |
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We were heading for Albuquerque but knew we wouldn't get there in one day.
We had thought to stop in Deming but with a smooth border crossing we had
time to push on further. You find all sorts of things on and beside the
roads including this giant pink pig. It doesn't fly but probably does the
next best thing. |
| We finally stopped at Caballo Lake just south of Truth
or Consequences. We actually stayed three days partly to recover from the
stress of the crossing and the long days driving since Zacatecas, but also
because it was one of the most enjoyable campsites we have stayed on. They
had a camp meeting/happy hour each afternoon and it was nice to have some
good conversation with fellow campers, almost the first we had seen in two
months. |  |
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It was also strange not to be on an empty campsite. We began to realise that
we might have to book sites for the rest of our trip since they might be
full - a unique thought! |
| Eventually we left and travelled on to the peculiarly
named city of Truth or Consequences. It used to be called Hot Springs
because of the thermal spas it has, but a game show host offered to fund a
gala each year for any town which would change its name to the game show
name. They did and have benefited greatly from the tourism it has generated. |  |
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The game show is long gone and the host has died but the name has remained
although there are periodic attempts to change it back. In this part of the
world it is just one of those places you have to visit, along with Why,
another border town about 100 miles to the west. |
| We travelled on to Albuquerque and stopped at a
campsite on the outskirts of town. The owners have this 1950s Hudson made
doubly famous after the movie 'Cars'. They have another 1947 model but not
in such good condition and a couple of tiny caravans of similar vintage. |  |
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We took the RV to a park and ride, and then caught a bus into the old town.
This is not much more than a couple of blocks each way, mainly with Spanish
colonial architecture and full of expensive craft and art shops. We also
found a handful of tourists. I would think places like this are struggling
with the economic climate because nothing was cheap. |
| St Felipe de Neri was influential here too. Remember
this was part of Mexico until relatively recent times. This is an old
mission church with the rounded edges of the adobe style. |  |
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Inside is traditional but nowhere near as ornate as the churches south of
the border. The architecture is different too with much more rounded
vaulting. |
| We stopped for a coffee at a cafe which has a mural
all along the wall with all the names of the original settlers and the story
of how they founded Albuquerque. It is on the Camino Real, the road to Santa
Fe. |  |
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There are lots of leafy courtyards surrounded by little art shops selling
pots and jewellery and similar tourist goods. The modern town centre is
now about four miles further east where the railway runs. |
| We did find this pot which we rather liked but I don't
think we could get it home. And note Jan's jacket - it was positively cool
when we set out this morning. |  |
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Equally, this glass vase, while very attractive, is not going to travel
well. We are going to have enough trouble with a wooden marlin I have
bought. |
| I quite liked this pot for obvious reasons but it
doesn't really have any significance and could have been bought anywhere. We
much prefer the Mata Ortiz one we bought in Paquimé. |  |
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He/she is fun and is the symbol of The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
which we have found in many places. We quite liked the seat too. But
Albuquerque became a place of shopping for the things we want to take back
home. Jan has bought quite a lot of furnishing fabric which can be much
cheaper here. |
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