Day 5: Las Cruces, NM

SATURDAY. We left Fort Stockton late this morning, taking our time and reminding ourselves that we're on vacation now. "Vacation" is a concept that sometimes eludes workaholics like us. Seems like we're always in a rush, always on deadline. Even our vacation becomes deadline-oriented as we scramble from Point A to Point B. Not sticking to a schedule can be very freeing. But finding lodging on the spur of the moment is often tricky. Fortunately we lucked out and found excellent lodging both last night and tonight. After the horrendous Pascagoula episode, and against all odds, being spontaneous has worked well these past few days.

A high energy pup, Murphy requires a great deal of daily exercise. Sitting in a car for 5 days has been tough on him, so we rewarded him today with a swim in Lake Balmorhea. It was 100 degrees when we arrived at the lake in the middle of the desert some five miles from the Interstate, and Murphy had a grand time. There was absolutely no sound at the lake. No planes, no cars, no human sounds, no hum of the modern world--just silence. Complete quiet. Noise-free spaces are almost non-existent. It was a privilege to share the serene silence with the small desert creatures scurrying about.



San Solomon Springs flow at over one million gallons an hour. The Springs have been the lifeblood of Balmorhea and neighboring Toyahvale. Balmorhea State Park is the site of the Springs, and an enormous spring-fed swimming pool is the main attraction at the State Park. Water temperature is a constant 72-76 degrees year round. (Brrr!) From the Park, the water flows to Balmorhea along the side of the road in narrow canals. The Park also afforded close-up views of some spectacular birds!


The town itself, population 557, is charming and rustic.


After Murphy's swim and our explorations of the Springs and town, we headed toward El Paso and over the Guadeloupe Mountains. The car struggled in 102 degree heat on a few steep grades, but we made it over the mountains without overheating. Paralleling the Rio Grande as we neared El Paso, we spotted border patrol vehicles and noticed a vehicle checkpoint on eastbound I-10. Most of the day our thermometer read triple digits. We all drank a lot of bottled water.


M is at the laundromat washing wet, muddy dog towels and clothes. It will be an early night, and tomorrow we'll take Murphy to Elephant Butte Lake for another swim. Life is slowing down.


I'm feeling that desert vibe and I think I'm gradually slipping into vacation mode. It's about time.