Exploring The West: City of Rocks and Ft. Cummings

Our latest adventure took us to City of Rocks State Park and the ruins of Ft. Cummings. According to the City of Rocks website, there are only 6 such features in the world. One is in Southern Idaho, which I have been too as well. The one here in New Mexico is not quite as big as the one in Idaho, but still quite spectacular. City of Rocks is about 3o minutes north of Deming, just off Highway 180, which goes to Silver City. It rises up out of nowhere in the desert. We ate lunch here, and I think that's probably the first time I've had a picnic on the 16th of December. Here are a few pics from the Cuidad de Piedras...
After our time there, we headed back towards Deming, got on Highway 26, which runs to Hatch, awaiting mile marker 14, where our directions told us to turn off at Cooke's Canyon Road. The road was well marked, so we found it easily. After crossing a cattle guard, our directions told us to take the "distinct jeep trail" to the left that would lead us to the ruins of Ft. Cummings. I think New Mexico's definition of a rough road is different from Idaho's. Yes, this "jeep trail" had some rough spots, but overall it was a decent road that anybody in a two wheel drive vehicle with a little clearance could manage. After a few miles, we came upon a sign marking the site of the old fort. Ft. Cummings was built as a stage station along the Butterfield Overland Mail trail, and was primarily manned by African-American "Buffalo Soldiers." There is little left today, a few walls of adobe and rock, as well as a spring house, which is still intact. Some might ask, Why drive out in the middle of nowhere to look at some old walls? First, I love being in the middle of nowhere. It's nice to get away from everything for a while. We didn't see another soul out there, other than a few cows. Second, it's history. There's something spiritual about being in a historical site, imagining it as it once was. This was a dangerous place for these men, as the threat of Apache attacks was constant. Living in such desolation, in a harsh environment, with the imminent threat of death hanging over them, I gain a whole new respect for the soldiers that were stationed here. A respect for the Native Americans who lived here is also gained, as the enviornment was no less harsh on them, and they found innovative ways to adapt and survive for thousands of years in this landscape. Third, and probably the main reason we made the trip, is because the spring located here was found by the Mormon Battalion on their way to California. This is interesting to me because my ancestor Ebenezer Brown (see picture at left; what a handsome fellow) was a member of the Mormon Battalion, and may have passed through here. Plus, it's fun. I like exploring in the great outdoors and getting off paved roads for a while. It's invigorating. Thankfully I have a wife and daughter that love the outdoors as much as I do. Here's some pics from the fort...