April 14th, 2025
After a few errands in the town of Deming, I arrived at site 18 in City or Rocks State Park, New Mexico. My site was surrounded by gigantic rocks that thrust out of the surrounding desert. The rocks were formed about 35 million years ago when a large volcano erupted. There is a visitor center and desert garden near the front of the park. This is a popular park and thus, you would probably want to make reservations ahead of time in order to get a campsite.
There are trails through the rocks with loops into the surrounding desert. Occasionally Pronghorn Antelope can be seen. On some weekend evenings there are ranger led star watching sessions. If you have a campsite amongst the rocks and it is a moonlit night, you will find yourself in an otherworldly environment with dark shadows and brightly lit passages between the massive rock formations.
Keep a watch for snakes.
A 40 minute drive north will bring you to Silver City, with museums and trails in the mountains. Or, 30 minutes to the south to shopping and restaurants in the larger town of Deming.
Today, the 14th of April, will be my last day here. Tomorrow, I will start curving to the north to meet Interstate 25. It has been a long winter in the Sonoran Desert, warm and relaxing physically, but hard mentally. Now I will be heading to cooler and greener country, richer in wildlife and the sounds of singing birds. I will visit my younger son, who I talk to often, but haven’t seen in a year. Too long.
Starting All Over 