Carlsbad, New Mexico

Wednesday November 29 & 30, 2017

Carlsbad, New Mexico
Saying good-bye to Libby and John was a bitersweet fairwell.  We had a wonderful time with them in Dallas and our travels through the western part of the state in Alpine, Marfa, and Fort Davis.  We will miss Libby’s expertise on art and literature, and John’s quips and insights into all things Texas.

Mark and I did have one interesting experience with a couple of “real” Texans.  We needed to visit the laundromat in Fort Davis.  We aren’t carrying many changes of clothing so we get to see several laundromats along the way.  It is actually a great way to talk to the locals and hear their stories.  In Fort Davis the laundromat is a small white stucco building with 10 washing machines and 10 dryers.  There was only one other couple in there when we arrived and they had been using about 5 of the machines.  We didn’t mind because we only neede one.
“Where are y’all from?” The man dressed in Texas style shirt, blue jeans, and a hand carved leather belt with a Texas hat, asked.
“Maine.”
“I met someone from Vermont once.  I think it’s near there, right.”
“Yes, it is”
“Is this your first time in west Texas?”
“It is”
“Well, let me tell you about west Texas.  I grew up on a farm south of here, right on the Mexican border.  My family had been there for years.  We raised corn, cotton, carrots, and all kinds of other vegetables.  But I got old and tired so I retired up here a bit farther north.  Too many Mexicans coming across the border, about 11 million a day, I’d say.  Those wet-backs bring nothing good to the United States.  They come with their babies and drugs.  They just want a free ride here.  That wall should have been built a long time ago.  Nothing but bad comes from the other side of the border.”

The man’s wife interrupts him: “Those that come here bring babies, born out of wedlock.  God is watching them and there will be hell to pay.  He is watching, you know. That wall needs to built fast. That other president just let them all come in to this country and gave them citizenship.”

Fortunately, Jack was with us and he needed to pee.  Quick excuse to take the dog for a walk.

“So nice to meet you both.” We left the laundromat.

Mark and I provisioned the RV for our 2 hour drive to Carlsbad New Mexico and Brantley Lake State Park.  The landscape was flat and very desolate but not in like the rest of trip through Texas.  The desert has it’s own beauty.  We were very much alone at the camp site with high winds blowing all night.  I got a text from Mike letting us know that we are now in UFO country.  Awesome! The darkness and the complete silence of the landscape is actually quite inspirational.

Mark was excited to visit the Carlsbad Caves.  After Mammoth, I was not interested at all.  He took a two hour tour while Jack and I  and spent time outside the cave.  I had a great conversation with my good friend Agnes.  We had pretty good reception, so we were able to catch up on family events.