What the Realtor calls Deming Near

The pups and I chose to drive the seven mile gravel and dusty road out to Hidden Valley RV Park.  It is Passport America and had gotten good reviews even after the driving the dusty road.  There is a quiet little community of snowbirds settled out here with full hook ups and reliable internet.  The drive into town doesn't seem to phase them while the living in the quiet open range seems to suit them just fine.   It was nice to just relax for a few days with dog walks that catching up anything that needed catching up on.  House cleaning such as dusting on the other hand will wait until I drive back down the gravel road. No sense in dusting twice.

Seven miles, eh?  I am thinking those mountains look good.

Finally! Yes, tucked right in a valley of those mountains.  This was Nikki's first experience with wash board and gravel....she survived but then she might think twice before agreeing to make a similar drive.  :=)

Looking back out the front gate, you can see the gentle curve in the road that winds around the lower hills.   The woman at the office said there were petrographic markings up on that hill.  I think it will be a one god walk.  I don't think I can guide three puppers up through that scrub and rock.  Maybe tomorrow.

My view of the back mountains from the campsite.  The owner did say that if I was going to be around for a few days that he might be able to get his son to take me out on one of their 4x4's.  Don't think I will be around that long. 

You are allowed to walk/hike anywhere out on the ranch.  Dogs are allowed off leash once you clear the cattle fencing, though I didn't think that would be such a smart move unless your dog is desert savvy.  I did find out from another resident, who was laughing at Audrey's playful antics on leash, that the utility court that is paved and fenced was available to dogs off leash as long as owners cleaned up after them and that the few children that live on the ranch aren't using it.  (It was the only paved area for them to ride their Big Wheels and scooters around.) 

Nikki and Olive and Stuart and I did make a hike up to find the petrogrphs.  These were some of the first ones we found .

Along with grinding holes in the rock.

We passed some colorful rocks that demonstrate where some of those "Southwestern color palates" come from.

Olive had reached her hiking limits and Nikki decided to take her back on some flat ground. She was one tired pups later.

Mountain goat, Stuart, said, "Bring it on. Lets keep climbing!"  And so we did.  He liked the views and the smells in the wind. He didn't tell me what he sniffed, though.

He did say, "Let's climb down towards those rock."

We did find another cluster of rocks that showed that the group residing here were a little more spread out that at first glance.

And Stuart found more rocks to climb up.....

Some finds were from not so ancient visitors.

To give you an idea of the depth of the holes....

They were everywhere around the cluster of rocks.  This is where the main group must have stayed....

The site from a farther back perspective.

Right in front of the cluster of rocks was this circular cluster.  Looked like it might have been built up some at one time.

And it all looks pretty nondescript from down the hill looking up.

 

Today is a sit still and get some dog grooming done at last. Stuart is still sort of dusty but is carrying around a lot let fur.  Audrey is gathering her strength for her turn.   Outside the breeze is scattering dog fur to the hills.....   The nesting birds will enjoy.