Church

Mountain Church....

I don't know anything about this one

It is in Hondo

Hawk and field

The fields are  shorn

Can fall be far behind?

(I ask hopefully)

This guy has the best perch around, hey, it is as close to a tree as it gets someitmes...

Shrine in the Mountain

This is a "Where's Waldo" sort of photo. 

 I spied a shrine in the mountain as we were driving...

I wonder who would build a wall on the side of the mountain

and when.

As far as I can tell, nothing in there.  I half expected to see some

beady eyes looking back at me.

Sky Watch

Fleeting

Storms

Lavender Springs Ranch

We are back to the Capitans...

Specifically Arabela NM

17 miles off of the Highway

Lavender Springs Ranch

It is near the end of the lavender season, but there is still some left, along with raspberries, okra, green beans, squash and black-eyed peas.

To me the sunflowers are harbingers of autumn.

We didn't stay too long as the storm rolled in quickly and the skies opened up for a torrential downpour.  It was a fantastic day!

Hondo Iris Farm

I took this photo inside the shop at the Hondo Iris Farm, it as well as the grounds is a visual delight.

St. Francis

Relax

Spend a few hours

Forget

The outside

world

Time again for harvest

All local artwork

Awaiting

Afternoon Tea

Hondo Iris Farm

We visited this weekend, and it was a delight!

Although the iris do not bloom in late summer, they are selling the bulbs right now.

Please, visit their website at:  http://www.aliceseelydesigns.com/hondoirisfarm/welcome.html#click

It is unassuming from the road, then you pass through this gate. 

There are things to delight the senses everywhere you look.

This is truly the work of artists.

There are tableaus everywhere you look....

Of Course, outside, the Iris is the star of the show.... There are some great photos of them in bloom on their website.  They have some amazing colors and color combinations.

They sell the ones they have planted.  Every color of the rainbow, just like the goddess for whom they are named!  The owners were there, greeting and making us feel so welcome.  Alice Seely is well known for her art and jewelry.   They have a store with her items for sale as well as the flowers. 

With the warm welcome and the beautiful grounds, it was a relaxing visit.

Fox Cave

Fox cave is on the road to Roswell a few miles past Ruidoso Downs.

This is an old photo of it.  It is on private land and now closed to the public.

This is what it looks like today. Overgrown, fading, but still in my memory as a kid.

I think of it as a 1950's era tourist attraction, but it dates back to prehistoric times when it was used by the Native Americans of the area.

These are old lodgings from when it was open.  Supposedly Billy the Kid was a visitor here as well.  I am not sure about the company I keep.....

Gate Headers

I have some more in my gate header series....  This one falls into the air mail catagory as well.

This one is made from timber and in long dis-use.

St. Annes Glencoe NM

There is the cutest little church, just off of the road...

I am not sure how long it has been here, tucked in, withstanding time and elements.

I am happy that it has been cared for and not allowed to fall into ruin.

It was gorgeous in the mountains this weekend.  I was thrilled to escape the heat and humidity.  I know why they call it the "dog days of summer."

Capitan Cat

An obviously artistic soul lives here...

Of course, cats are my favorite.

One last fence shot of the area.  It is desolate and beautiful here.

School House~Encinoso NM

Abandoned Schoolhouse

in Encinoso NM

It is the only structure left.

I imagine the ranch children attended here.

I wonder where the bell went.  This is outside of Capitan.

Capitan Gap

This is a photo of the back of the Capitan Mountains, specifically Capitan Gap.  The Capitan Gap fire is the one where Smokey Bear was found.  They look tame, but they are steep and rocky and wild.

This is taken from the back road from Roswell about fifteen to twenty miles from town. 

U. S. Mail

I spotted this mail box this weekend.  Talk about a rural route!

I love the juxtaposition. 

20252

Here is the famous photo of the baby cub to become Smokey Bear.

I'll bet you don't know what 20252 means in relation to him....

Here's a hint....

Yep!  He has his very own zip code!  The ad campaign was so successful that they assigned Smokey a zip code to handle all of his fan letters.