We awoke to sunshine and decided today would be a look-and-see day. Ruidoso is a very active city. There's a lot to see here and in the surrounding area.
The Route:
We drove into the mountains near our campground to see an Apache casino, then drove the Billy the Kid Trail (Page 291, National Geographic Guide to Scenic Highways & Byways).
Inn of the Mountain Gods ...
This casino, resort and conference center is located high in the mountains. We visited on Sunday morning. There was very little traffic.
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| Entrance from US-70 |
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You get to the casino and resort
through this tunnel |
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| These dancers greet guests of the resort |
Ruidoso Downs ...
We passed the race course as we started the Billy the Kid Trail drive. It's the home of the All American Futurity, the richest quarter-horse race in the world. Race season ended on Labor Day, so we saw it in a quiet moment.
Billy the Kid Visitor Center ...
The visitor center is on US-70, very close to Ruidoso Downs. A very helpful greeter welcomed us, described the center's exhibits and explained what to expect on the scenic route.
The "helpful greeter" also suggested that we check out the surprise in the men's restroom.
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This fellow couldn't "bear"
to wait |
The Billy the Kid Trail is a loop. We went from Ruidoso to Hondo to Lincoln to Capitan to Ruidoso. Except for the scenery, the stop in Lincoln appeared to be the only highlight.
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Heading east on US-70 from
Ruidoso toward Hondo |
Tinnie Silver Dollar Restaurant and Saloon ...
We had been looking for a place to stop for breakfast since leaving the campground. We ended up leaving the "Trail" and driving 2 miles beyond Hondo on US-70 to Tinnie. We discovered an unexpected treat there.
The Silver Dollar Restaurant and Saloon seemed like an oasis located in the middle of nowhere. It's in Tinnie, on US-70 between Ruidoso and Roswell. It is truly extraordinary. Our brunch was beautifully served and delicious. The owner took us on a tour after the meal. Wow!
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| Dining Room entrance |
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| Hmm, who's in the reflection? |
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The dining room was
beautifully decorated |
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Walls were decorated with
original artwork |
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The bar was closed.
It belonged to Al Capone in the '40s |
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| Everything was a work of art |
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| Even the outside grounds |
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| Even the entrance to the deli was classy |
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| The deli style was historic |
Lincoln State Monument ...
We toured Lincoln. It's really small and is mostly preserved as Lincoln State Monument. Eleven adobe and stone buildings remain much as they were in the late 19th century. The Old Lincoln County Courthouse is where Billy the Kid was jailed and from which he escaped. He was shot and killed in 1881 by Sheriff Pat Garrett.
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| Scenes from US-380 heading toward Lincoln |
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| Clouds are beginning to form |
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| Lincoln offered free rides to tourists |
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| Torreon |
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| James Dolan House |
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| Tunstall Store |
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| This is original store inventory |
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| Dr. Woods' house |
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| Old Lincoln County Courthouse |
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| Mountain Pride |
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| Old Lincoln Church |
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| Abandoned stone & adobe home |
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| San Juan Mission |
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| Inside San Juan Mission |
Heading home ...
We were warned to do what we were going to do in the morning because rain has been arriving in the afternoon. Today was no exception.
Ominous clouds had moved in by the time we finished touring Lincoln. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed on the horizon. We drove home in the rain ... sightseeing was over.
End of the Day:
The rain stopped by the time we got back to the campground.
Weather in the Albuquerque area (and much of New Mexico) has been bad. We need to figure out where to head tomorrow.
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