Ruidoso, New Mexico

Circle B Campground, which will be home for the rest of the week, is in this fast growing resort town  literally nestled high in the Sacramento Mountains, surrounded by pine forests.  This area is an outdoor haven, with hiking and horseback riding and fishing, and plenty of golf on lovely courses, one of which is the highest in the country.  Apparently they increase the length of these courses because of increased ball flight at these elevations, so forget any advantage!  

What brings us here is the 24th Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium and its attendant Chuck Wagon Cook Off.  Never having attended anything like this, we are anticipating a great time, especially since we are again in  the company of our Portland friends!  

                                            

This is Billy the Kid country, and the visitor center bears his name and information on touring the areas historic buildings where he lived, worked, and fought, and became a local hero, despite his violent life.  I am so looking forward to traveling Billy the Kid Scenic Byway, and also visiting some museums, and the town chuck full of shops and galleries.  Maybe I will get some hiking in while Clem plays golf!   

  

I couldn't resist a photo op with Billy!





                                        This is a photo of a print taken from the only original tin type in existence, which was purchased by a man in Florida for $2.5 million, and we were fortunate enough to see at an exhibit of his Western collection there last year.  I was shocked to see the original is only about 3 inches tall!