March 9, 2009

Silver City Art District
Silver City Architecture

Fort Bayard Officers' Quarters

Santa Rita Open Pit Copper Mine (the town of Santa Rita is now buried under the tailings)

We left Phoenix and drove south to Tucson and visited the Saguaro National Park (sentinel cactuses). We then east to New Mexico after a lunch spot at a great Mexican restaurant (Magalys in Benson, AZ). In New Mexico, we headed northeast to Silver City, a silver, gold and copper mining region discovered in the 1800's. We had hoped to spend time learning about the mining history of the area, but Silver City today is focusing more on their art colony. We have been talking about coming here for 10 years and needless to say it turned out to be a disappointment. We did visit Fort Bayard, the last New Mexico military post built. It was also home to some of the buffalo soldiers who fought the Apaches to protect the miners in the region. Today due to its 6000 foot altitude, dry air, and clear skies it is one of three facilities in the country dedicated to the research and treatment of tuberculosis. Unfortunately, today was rainy and cold so the views were not what we had anticipated. However, we did take a scenic drive through the Gila National Forest up over Emory Pass (8200 feet- wet slush along the road). We had lunch in Hatch, NM, a town famous for its chili peppers, chili powder and canned chilis. We are spending the night in Las Cruces, NM, a favorite of ours.