Suggested tour sites written by Paul and Marilyn Duncan; editing and photos by Mark Wing (unless otherwise noted)
Link to Mesilla Valley Tour (Wed., Sept. 26th)
Link to Mesilla Valley Tour (Thurs., Sept. 27th)
Link to Mesilla Valley Tour (Fri., Sept. 28th)
Tour Day 4: Touring on Our Own and Dinner at the La Posta de Mesilla Restaurant
This Saturday was the last day for touring and it was planned that everyone tour around on their own. A dinner marking the culmination of our tour was scheduled for 5pm at La Posta de Mesilla.
Before the day’s activities began, the Tin Lizzies were joined by local Radium Springs resident John Gilkison. John had heard of Larry Azevedo (a senior Tin Lizzie member who serves on the MTFCA Board of Directors) and called him the previous week. Larry informed John of the tour to Las Cruces and he met us in the Hilton parking lot on this Saturday morning. John signed up as an official member of our club and joined us as a Model T passenger on a short drive later that morning. Welcome John!
The tour organizer’s suggested locations included the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum and Dripping Springs Natural Area. Another destination of interest, that we became aware of once we talked to local residents, was the Farmers & Crafts Market in downtown Las Cruces.
BLM Dripping Springs Natural Area
After the challenging drive to White Sands National Monument the previous day, most club members didn’t want to tackle the steep incline toward the Dripping Springs Natural Area. Among the tour participants who did make the drive to Dripping Springs were Neil and MaryAnn O’Brien in their 1916 touring car and Stan and Janice Gauna who rode with them.
Excerpt from the driving instructions:
15000 Dripping Springs Rd, Las Cruces, NM. The Dripping Springs Natural Area has a Visitor Center with interpretive displays of the Organ Mountains. This picturesque area of rocky peaks, narrow canyons and open woodlands shelters the Dripping Springs Natural Area noted for its “weeping walls.” This once was the Cox Ranch and the location of Boyd’s TB Sanatorium. There are hiking trails and picnic areas.
Visitor Center Hours: 8 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Daily
Admission is $5/vehicle for day use
Drive to Farmers & Crafts Market
The Farmers & Crafts Market (downtown Las Cruces)
Main Street, 7 City Blocks (Saturdays) and Plaza de Las Cruces (Wednesdays). We heard that the Farmers & Crafts Market is a must-see when in town. This Market is known for everything being handcrafted, handmade, and locally grown by local farmers, growers, artists, and craftspeople living in Dona Ana County, NM. In addition to items that can be purchased, the Market also includes live music and entertainment.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-1p.m Saturday & Wednesday
Driving to the Museum
New Mexico Farming and Ranch Heritage Museum
Excerpt from the driving instructions:
“4100 Dripping Springs Rd., Las Cruces, NM. This museum is part of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and is located on 47 acres. Check their website: www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org for more info and schedule of exhibits. There is a main museum building as well as outside barns, livestock & demonstrations. Heart of the Desert Gift Shop is there and they donated the nuts to our goodie bags. They also have wine tasting. Find the resident Great Horned Owl and his mate and win a prize!
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday –Saturday and Noon to 5p.m. Sundays
Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens (60 and over)”
Loading Model T’s
Visit to Old Mesilla
Dinner at La Posta de Mesilla
La Posta de Mesilla is a historical restaurant with a compound dating to the 1840’s. The building started out as a freight and passenger service line to Pinos Altos and later a important stagecoach stop on the Butterfield Trail. It was a hotel and restaurant in the late 1800’s and eventually grew into a 10,000 square foot compound that includes several shops. One of its claims to fame is it was frequented by Wild West personalities like Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and Pancho Villa. The restaurant has a distinctive southwestern decor with caged birds in the waiting area.
The dinner started with Paul Duncan thanking everyone who helped organize the tour by presenting gifts and recognizing them for their contributions. Tom MacGugan, who lives in Las Cruces, also expressed his happiness that the tour had been a success with everyone having a good time. Joining us for the dinner were sisters Jessalyn and Danielle Lance, Tin Lizzie members whose parents and brother live in Bernalillo, NM (just north of Albuquerque). Jessalyn and Danielle are both students at New Mexico State University. Jessalyn introduced us to her boyfriend and fellow medical student Tyler. The food was great and the setting very charming.
Thank you to everyone who made this Mesilla Valley Tour a success. Special thanks go out to organizers Tom MacGugan, Kameron Peterson, and Paul and Marilyn Duncan. Thanks also to tour contributors Dave Ferro, Rebecca Wiegand, Susan Wing, and Robbi Ross (who was involved in the tour’s initial planning).
Link to Mesilla Valley Tour (Wed., Sept. 26th)