Ruidoso, New Mexico

Our final week of timeshare is in the mountains of New Mexico.  The horses were running at Ruidoso Downs, but we just "fed the ponies."

 

The Apaches have a beautiful resort, casino and golf course in Ruidoso.

We took a tour of the pistachio farm in a neighboring town of Alamogorda.  Pistachio trees in the middle of the desert!

These are not ripe yet, but it was interesting to see how they grow.  The trees are relatively small, 15-25 feet, and can live over 100 years.  Once the nuts are ripe, the shells inside will burst and the outer covering will slip right off.

 

 Picked a perfect day for a round of golf -- overcast and chilly (mid 70's! Hey, its been in the high 90's, even over 100 in Las Vegas).

 

 

 Had  to get some Hatch chiles!

 

Then stopped by the Hondo Iris farm.  The irises were past their bloom, but the hummingbirds were very happy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Las Vegas

SEND MONEY!!!!!  Just kidding.  We'll get home on our own.  Its been in the 100's here every day, usually around 110. Love it!

Bill and Denise dressed up and happy in Vegas!

On our way, we drove by Hoover Dam and Lake Meade, but with new road, you no longer drive right over the dam.

 

Always need a picture of the iconic sign.  But I'll spare you most of my photos cause I know we've all seen New York, Paris, Harrahs, . . .

 

We caught a great comedy show, as well as a Motown show.

 

 

 

And stopped by the driving range.  Gives a new meaning to "targets to aim at."

 

 

View from our unit was fantastic.  In a few years, this will probably be developed as well. That's The M Resort in distance.

 

 

These are new.

 






Bellagio does such a great job.  These are made from roses.

 

Arizona - BOTTOM of the Grand Canyon

We've been to the south rim and the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park, but never been to the bottom (no mule rides down for us!).  However, about 80 miles west of the national park, the Hualapai Indians have a road down 4000 feet to the Colorado River on their lands.  Stunning views along the bumpy dirt road down along Diamond Creek.  Great job, Joe of Arizona Safari Jeep Tours!

View of the north rim, about 10-15 miles away.

 

Got my feet in the Colorado River

Diamond Peak in the background

Route 66

 

 

 

Arizona - Sedona

The red rock of Sedona is just stunning.  Pictures do not do it any justice.

 

 

Drove over to the neighboring town of Jerome, once a bustling copper mining town.  The old mental hospital has been turned into a hotel and restaurant (great food!) -- it is rumored that some of the guests have been their since the hospital opened.

 

 

Even got to play a round of golf amongst the steep cliffs.

 

 

It's all about food- great food.