Silver City NM and Gila Cliff Dwelling National Monument

 Roger here....  Silver City, New Mexico was our home-base while visiting Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument several days ago.  We finally have enough decent Verizon coverage to use our phones as hotspots in order to write a blog.

SILVER CITY

On the afternoon of our arrival we decided to do a quick walk through Silver City.  We had heard it was an interesting little town.  The higher elevation and cooler temperatures made walking a decent option.  

We started at the visitors' center, where we parked the car.  We explored a replica of an old mining cabin.  Dianne was trapped behind bars.

Since we were hungry....

... we walked into town crossing a bridge over Little Toad Creek.  We immediately discovered the Little Toad Creek Brewery and Pub at the first intersection.  

Earlier, we talked about finding this place, so we stopped.

The picture on the right was taken from the menu.

"Viva Nuevo Mexico!"

The "Little Toad" consisted of several indoor rooms and three outdoor areas.  We opted for an outdoor table with a really cool mural.

Since it was a brew pub, I enjoyed their Copper Ale (actually two of them).  Dianne had the Blonde Ale.  I decided to experiment with my sandwich, and I was glad I did...  pastrami reuben with sauerkraut, green hatch chili, and thousand island on rye.  Hatch chili is a New Mexican standard made from Hatch peppers.  It was outstanding.

It was time to get back to our doggies and the evening walk, tomorrow would be a big day.  Exploring more of the town will have to happen on another visit.

EVENING HIKE AT THE CAMPGROUND

While walking around the Silver City KOA, we discovered a hiking trailhead.  Bandido wanted to go that way, so we did.  It was a gently sloping uphill walk through the soft brown

dirt.  The view at the top of the hill was perfect.

So was the sunset through the tree.  We walked along this trail several times during our visit.

GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS NATIONAL MONUMENT

The drive from Silver City to the National Monument was only 44 miles, but those miles involved two hours of twisty-turny, white-knuckle driving. 

Dianne here:   We couldn't believe it would take that long to drive there but, believe it!

 Don't get me wrong.  It was a classic mountain drive that I would eagerly do again, but it did involve constant attention and frequent use of the lower gears of our SUV.

By the time we arrived at the National Monument, we had received numerous notices of a nearby wildfire.  I had checked the status of the fire on-line earlier that morning, but the ever-present fire crews with their equipment made us nervous that the trail to the cliffs would be closed.  When we arrived at the trail head a park ranger assured us that the fire was headed in a different direction.  The trail was open.  The park ranger walked us to a series of dog kennels in a shaded area with a bowl of cool spring water.  (We knew they would be there - nice service) The park ranger watched Bandido and Poquita while we embarked on the hour-long "Indiana Jones" trek.  The first section of the trail was narrow and flat.  

We were walking in front of the cliff dwellings that were perched in the caves above us to the right.

Soon we were hiking upward.  1800 steps upward.  Look at Dianne having a good time.

Just a little bit further, and we were there.

Unfortunately for us, guided tours inside the structures were not available, probably due to covid.  No trips up the ladder for us.  However, this did not stop the intrepid Dianne.  She stood on a bench and held her phone up to an opening to take a couple of "blind" photos.  She is so clever and so talented.

The Mogollon Culture (related to the Pueblo tribe) built these dwellings in the late 1200s.  They were abandoned in the 1300s.  

I love how the next two photos illustrate the massiveness of the ruins.  Look at how small Dianne is in the photos.

One last look before the descent back to the trailhead.

Dianne is saying (by her posture), "I have been waiting here for you!  Why are you so slow?"

(Yup -- D.)

We found a good spot to reward the dogs and ourselves just outside the national monument before the start of the 2-hour drive back to Silver City.  Bobs!  The only business in this desolate area.  And, Bob had ice cream!

Bandido says, "Leave me alone, Dad!  I am sleeping off an ice-cream sugar high."

Our next destination is just north of Tucson, where we will meet good friends, dance, drink some wine, and hike in the desert!