Las Cruces, New Mexico - Our New Home!
To the east of Las Cruces is the Organ Mountains, a landmark that is a bit like our old home, in that it is so prominent that it can be used to keep one oriented, similar to the Sandia Mountains to the east in Albuquerque. If you get lost, just look around until you spot the Organ Mountains, also to the east, and you can regain your sense of direction. This view is taken from New Mexico State Road 28 south of Mesilla across a field of freshly harvested bales of hay toward A-Mountain and The Organ Mountains to the east. Lining the hay field on the other side is one of countless pecan tree orchards around Mesilla. New Mexico is among the top producers of pecans in the world.
Hay Fields & Organ Mountains
Located just south of Mesilla, the rows of hay in this field, which have just been harvested, point the viewer to the Organ Mountains, and A-Mountain on the right. Lining the field on the other side is one of virtually countless orchards in the area, as New Mexico is amount the top producers of pecans in the United States.
Pecan Rows & Organ Mountains
These two rows of pecan trees are oriented so as to show spires of the Organ Mountains to the east.
Pecan Plantings
Two fields of pecan tree plantings bordered by irrigation canals. The one on the right having been irrigated. You can see the Organ Mountains in the distance.
Rio Grande & Organ Mountains
A view of the Organ Mountains from the west side of the Rio Grande River. The river has very little water, as you can see, since only what is needed for irrigation is released from the Elephant Butte Lake and Caballo reservoirs upstream.
Orchard Reflections
A pecan grove having been irrigated, trees reflecting in the pools of water.
Abandoned Silo
An old silo on Hwy 28 south of Mesilla, overgrown with trees and abandoned.
Las Cruces Sentinel
This roadrunner is about ten miles west of the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Highway 10. It is 20' high by 40' long, created and constructed by artist Olin Calk in 1993, made of various recycled materials. It has become an icon, and appears to be a sentinel overlooking the city and the valley.
Las Cruces Roadrunner
A photo of the Las Cruces Roadrunner during daylight hours, with a colorful sunset in the background.
Las Cruces Roadrunner "Feathers"
The roadrunner's "feathers" are made up of all kinds of "junk" and discarded items. The tennis shoes shown in this photograph may be the most prevalent. Very prominently as part of tail feathers are crutches.
Basilica San Albino Catholic Church
The Basilica of San Albino Catholic Church, formerly known as San Albino Church of Mesilla, is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of New Mexico, and is located in Mesilla, on the north side of the town square. It has the distinction of having originally been established in Mexico, but it is now located in the United States as a result of a transfer of territory in the Gadsden Purchase in 1854. The first church on the site was built in 1852; the current structure was built in 1906, and is one of the oldest churches in the region.
Fountain & Dove
This white-winged dove landed on this fountain in Mesilla, probably to get a quick sip or two of water.
Snow-Powdered Organ Mountains
This view of the Organ Mountains in the winter, powdered with snow, was taken in the open space a mile or so east from our neighborhood. Las Cruces is developing out that direction, so the open space may not be available for many more years. We'll just have to enjoy it while we can.
Snowy Organ Mountains
A different, closer view of the Organ Mountains powdered with snow.
Organ Mountains_Closer Look
A close-up of the snow-powdered Organ Mountains during a stormy day.
A-Mountain Moon
A view of Tortugas Mountain Recreation Area in Las Cruces, New Mexico, locally known as "A-Mountain" because of the huge "A", for the NMSU Aggies, etched on the west side, prominent across the city because of the "A" and the towers and observatories on top of the hill. This particular image was taken when the moon was positioned in the sky near the observatory, as if posing for the astronomer.
East Side Organ Mountains
A view of the mountains from I70 (on the way to White Sands National Park and the missile range, and on up the road to Alamogordo, Cloudcroft and Ruidoso). The name-sake peaks are on the right, and sugarloaf on the left.
Well...that's all for now about our transition period, as a book could easily be written about the points of interest in and around Las Cruces.
Coming soon...we will tell you about our trip to Lake Powell and Monument Valley as seen from Hunt's Mesa, and, later on...about Silver City. And, as time goes by, more about Las Cruces and environs.
In the meantime, in the midst of our global corono-crisis, stay home, keep your distance...while staying in touch, and stay safe and healthy!
Namaste!
Bill & Elsa