Elephant what?

  Elephant Butte, New Mexico, United States
Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Yes, there really is a town called Truth or Consequences., I'm not making it up! Back in the 50's there was a very popular radio show of that name and in order to mark its 10th anniversary, the presenter asked if there were any towns in America that would consider changing their name to honour the show...Hot Springs as it was then, was selected and as they say the rest is history! A part from a Geronimo museum and some hot springs I'm afraid it hasn't really got a lot going for it. 

Main street T or C

Hot Spring...

Odeon...

Apparently it's been named as one of the best places in the USA to retire to (it isn't alone in this accolade I might add!) Would we live here - definitely not and that's even being surrounded by lots of boats, even some with sticks! Actually we have decided that a more appropriate name would be 'Storage City', since the greatest land use seems to be given up to either boat or RV storage.

Stored for the winter

The whole place has gone into hibernation! Maybe it's livelier in the warmer months. Again we have managed to escape the snow, its all around us, but not here ha ha! They did have some last year, apparently the first for 21 yrs!! Almost as good a record as Bournemouth.
We're actually camped at a very nice site in Elephant Butte, yes that is its name  and it's pronounced Beuwt by the way. Its claim to fame is that it's a 'diamond in the desert', here where the Rio Grande was dammed to control the flood waters and feed the farms downstream, there is a huge lake. Over 40 miles long and with more than 300 miles of shoreline it is an inevitable centre for water sports, it's really more of an oasis! Seen now at this time of the year, peaceful and serene it is actually a lovely spot. 

Peaceful - see the volcano

Contemplation...

The area is great for bird watching - but, no we didn't get up at dawn this time.

Big Bird...

There are yuccas everywhere, sadly the flowers are long gone and here at the camp site the most wonderful Aloes, some bigger than me. Right next to Bree we discovered a pomegranate tree. Although our hosts have been very welcoming,
we will move on tomorrow, south once more.

Natural garden at the camp site