Big Bend & Las Cruces

On December 28th, Nancy and I left for the southeast and an area we never explored before.One night lay-over in Las Cruces, New Mexico and the next day we arrived in Big Bend National Park. More than 250 square miles and one of the newer parks in the national park system. Awesome rock formations and expansive deserts bordered by the Rio Grande River on the south, and Mexico. The river cuts through a 1500 foot wall of rock into the park and then cut out of the park at the other side, more than 50 miles away. This give way for two glorious canyons to hike and explore. Not to speak of the echos. Mexican Nationals from a small village across the river, ride horses across the low flowing river to, hopefully, sell you small trink-its or painted walking sticks for the trails. They are friendly and very courteous.
After four days there (and several miles of hiking under our belts), we left for Las Cruces again. The site of the signing of the Gadsden Purchase plus the oldest adobe and brick buildings in New Mexico. The old town with GREAT Mexican food and quint shops. Next day we drove to Alamogordo where the first atomic bomb was developed. The International Space Hall of Fame was awesome. On the way back to Las Cruces, we visited White Sands National Monument and did a quick drive through. It not sand after all...it's gypsum and it really sticks to your car.
In exactly one week, we covered 2000 miles and got a quick but educational glimpse of the old Mexican southwest. Given the proper opportunity, I'd go back to Las Cruces for an extended stay.