A long unwinding road!

Today was hot and sunny as we left Tucson (and Arizona) behind, driving east along the I10 towards Las Cruces, New Mexico. This journey takes around four hours and begins with the GPS announcing "Turn right and continue for two-hundred and seventy miles" (in a straight line!). Its not the most interesting road-trip, as the scenery ranges between 'desert' and 'scrub pasture' and is devoid of any interesting features.....and as tempting as it is to go just a little faster than is strictly allowed.....there are lots of Highway Patrol cars, cunningly concealed along the route! Although we sought to break-up the journey with a decent refreshment stop, the 'best' we could muster was "Akela", an 'outpost' that is nothing more than "A local shop for local people"! But the coffee was good and the 'do-it-yourself' hot-dog was OK'ish. Having lost an hour along the way due to changing time zones, we arrived at the motel around three in the afternoon. Luggage unloaded, we set off to nearby Messilla Plaza, the historic centre of Las Cruces, founded after the war with Mexico and like so many South-western city counterparts, is full of art galleries, courtyard bars, artisan shops, eating places, and music. Altogether very cool!

We ambled around for a while and spotted the old courthouse building in which Billy the Kid was tried and sentenced to be hanged.

We also took-in the 'La Posta' shops, housed in a building that reputably once stood the test of armed sieges involving the likes of Kit Carson and Billy the Kid.

Late in the afternoon we set off for dinner, guided by the GPS to.....yes, an Olive Garden!

Finally, to remind me of today's events, I've picked a track by The Doors, who were played on the radio during our walk through Messilla.