As I mentioned in an earlier post, I started going to Ruidoso as a teenager in 1968 with my parents. For a few summers during the horse racing season, they leased a cabin. Then, in 1982, they decided to purchase a cabin.....nothing fancy....just quaint and cozy.
.. years gone by starting in Dec. 1982...and MORE...
(I'm thinking I tucked their sweater inside their jeans to help keep the snow out..otherwise, I would NOT have dressed them like little dorks...lol)
..the girls with me, their mom @ 3 years and 18 months...
July 1985
...girls with their dad...
July 1988
...at the historic Old Mill....
...the oldest building in Ruidoso is the flour mill with a water wheel...aka the Billy the Kid hideout...
December 1996
...Ski Apache...
Ski Apache's peak elevation is 12,300' and the ski summit is 11,500'...the mountain, as I know it, is called Sierra Blanca and provides a winter season full of snow, skiing and tubing...Spectacular views... with miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and camping...
...preseason "party on the mountain" gondola ride...
...the mountain awaits you...
July 2008
...with Mamo...
August 2009
...the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino is in a spectacular setting in the beautiful mountains in Mescalero country..
...Awesome music and comedy venue in the Casino..
...casino time at the Inn...
...relaxing on the grounds of the Inn waiting for the 4th of July light celebration...
It was a big AHHHH !
...Horse racing is at the heart of Ruidoso...
...Ruidoso Downs Race Track...home of the All American Futurity...the event that every owner, trainer, and jockey dreams of winning in the quarter horse world....In 1972, my parents raced Thymus Jet in the All American.......To this day, I remember the adrenaline rush after hearing the bell ring, the clanging of the gates quickly opening with the sound of pure muscle rushing out to the finish line....Thymus placed a hard earned 9th.
...Rio Ruidoso...
....Ruidoso received its name from the Rio Ruidoso (spanish for "Noisy River"), a small stream that weaves through the village.
...Upper Canyon is one of Ruidoso's oldest areas with the Rio Ruidoso running through it..nestled along the canyon road are lodges and cabins amongst the tall forest pines dotted with grazing deer, turkey, and once in awhile, one might see a bear or a bull elk.
The village of Ruidoso is filled with delightful shops...specialty boutiques, quaint eateries, art galleries, historical landmarks and soveneir shops for all ages to enjoy...
...the Hubbard Museum of the American West...
Spencer Theater is a state of the art performing arts hall that has a breathtaking setting high on a Mesa outside of Ruidoso.
...terror on the mountain...
Seeing flames engulfing acres of forests being fueled by extremely high winds strikes terror in mountain dwellers hearts.
...Bonito Lake...
is a mountain valley lake known for great trout fishing and camping.... most of you know, neither, are on my "bucket list"...just great for sightseeing.
...As quickly as a trip starts, it is over......And, it's not always about fun....on this day, we were raking pine needles and trimming trees...
...a place we LOVE...