| |
|
| | |
| |
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | On my way to Las Vegas I spent the first night in Socorro at the Econo Lodge, a good choice. I have always liked Socorro and when overnighting there are two obligatory stops: Socorro Springs Brewery and the Capitol Bar.  It was kind of nice to briefly escape the wicked heat wave back home (New Mexico is baking too). Just as I arrived in town a thunderstorm moved in to greet me with light showers, blustery wind, and and cooler air! That felt so good. 
After pizza, salad and beer at Socorro Springs, it was over to the plaza where the Capitol Bar is located. Before going in I strolled around and snapped some photos. I discovered a very nice City of Socorro Historic Walking Tour brochure, which I decided I would use to see some of the sights before leaving town the next morning. Of course the place I was headed (Las Vegas) is well known as an architectural treasure trove with over 900 buildings on the National Registry, but Socorro is no slouch in its own right. While at the bar I got a tip on the location of a mural commemorating another event in local history that I knew about: the 1964 UFO sighting by policeman Lonnie Zamora. Back in those days I was a really into UFO's, and this particular case was extensively researched by Tucsonans Jim and Coral Lorenzen, who ran APRO at the time. So that was something else to see in the morning.
I spent a few hours in the morning checking out some of the historical homes and spots, including the mural. This worked to my benefit, as I wanted to stop at Sierra Blanca Brewery in Moriarty to buy some beer on my way to Las Vegas, and had to kill some time so that they would be open when I passed through. I avoided going through Albuquerque by cutting off I-25 and heading east along US 60 through Mountainair to Willard, then up to Moriarty on NM 41. I do this route often to avoid Albuquerque traffic if headed to points east. Another plus is getting to travel along a portion of the BNSF mainline. Lots of long trains!
The trip started out just fine. And when I turned on the TV in my room Monday morning to get some local news, another bit of good fortune greeted me. There was a big hailstorm in Las Vegas Sunday afternoon that caused quite a bit of damage to trees, windows, cars, etc. (quarter to golf ball sized)!  Had I not broken up the drive I might have been in the middle of that. I love heavy weather, but no thanks to that. 
A good source of information on the area (and history too, including the Apache Kid) is socorronm.org. |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
