We had a great day with our friend Gary Simpson. It is so nice to be able to connect with people that you had lost track of through the years. I hope that we get to see each other annually if not more often. I knew that Gary served in the Marine Corp in Vietnam, I did not know until today that he was a helicopter door gunner. I am super envious as that was a duty that I would have loved to have had. Door Gunners rode on the side behind the passenger / cargo area of the Huey completely exposed. Flying low they might as well have had a target on their chest. I am very proud of him.
Gary picked us up at the trailer at 9am and we drove an hour North to Silver City. We stopped at a nice little coffee cafe for some brew and a muffin.
A very cool old town.
This is the area where Billy The Kid grew up.
It is also Geronimo country.
Two more hours of driving up a winding road, no painted lanes, cliffs to your left and right, 15mph switchback curves. Thank goodness the company was good or it would have seemed forever. As it was, time went by fast. Gary drove a cab in Las Vegas at one point in his life and the stories he tells are priceless as well as funny. We had a great drive.
A mile's hike uphill to the cliff dwellings. The trail was well made but taxing. A lot of really beautiful scenery and we crossed a dozen wooden bridges over a babbling stream. Awesome as well as very peaceful.
The sun's rays love to follow me around.
Up ahead, the cliffs.
We climbed, rested, climbed, rested, then repeated. It has been a while since we have hiked. We had a great time.
The scenery is really nice.
Friends may have highs and lows at times, but always remain friends.
I was surprised that we were allowed to go into the actual dwellings. What a view they had.
A whole little city going on in there. Over 30 rooms.
It was a hefty hike. Hard to imagine two years ago Martha was using a walker, and three years ago a wheelchair. She has come so far in her cancer recovery. I am proud of her as well.
Lady door gunner quality indeed. Though she didn't serve, I married a Marine for sure.
The return trip down the mountain was also quite far, taxing, and enjoyable.
We stopped at a rest area on the way home and Martha and I noticed this heart painted on the shrubs which lead to a kiss.
Back in Deming we had a nice Mexican dinner and then Gary took us back to the trailer.
We were sorry to part ways as this had been a great reunion and a fun day.
After he left I asked Martha to hoist the full moon up into the night.
Tomorrow we will pass through Tucson and have lunch with Elizabeth and Ross. More good friends. Then we will finish our day driving to Phoenix and the Cattani's house.
Tomorrow will also mark the final entry in the BLOG as our trip will have been completed.
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