We wanted to know if aliens abound in Roswell New Mexico, so we went there.
The UFOs and The Traveling Locavores have arrived in Roswell New Mexico!
UFO sightings and little green men!!!
Our original plan was to spend three nights in El Paso. But every time we mentioned El Paso we were warned to stay away. At the time El Paso was such a Covid hot spot, that they were transporting Covid patients all the way to hospitals in San Antonio because there were no beds left in El Paso. We decided to avoid El Paso at all costs. Roswell was the perfect driving distance and in the right direction for where we were heading after.
Aliens Abound in Roswell New Mexico
Got to add a new state to our map of America. Shows you how many states we have RVd to.
Red Barn RV Park
The entry to Red Barn RV Park office and barn.
Aliens are everywhere! Even an the Red Barn RV Park where we were staying.
We stayed at the smallest RV Park we have ever been in. Red Barn RV Park offered full hookups to 11 RVers. It was also adorable and quite welcoming. As we were hooking up the owner came up to tell us that there would be entertainment in the barn at 6 pm. Someone staying in the park was going to play guitar and sing. And there would be plenty of room for social distancing.
Appealing decor makes the barn very welcoming.
Rob Conrad on left and Rick Urbani on right
At six we headed to the barn to find a handful of campers listening to Rick Urbani. It was so cool to listen to the really good Rock music that we used to listen to all the time. Someone mentioned that the young man sitting across from us, also played guitar. We all encouraged him to go get his instrument. And when Rob Conrad returned, guitar on his shoulder, we sensed we were in for a real treat. There were duets and solos from the duo. Rick entertained us with Rock and Rob sang a couple of his own compositions. It is these unexpected things that make RV life so awesome and exciting!!!
Covid-19 challenges
Even the McDonalds looks other worldly with its changing lights!
Sadly, due to Covid-19, many attractions and most restaurants are closed. We have taken advantage of what is open and done a lot of sightseeing from the safety of our Jeep. But in Roswell it left us with very little to explore.
So even in the supermarket Aliens Abound in Roswell New Mexico
The best selection of peppers and they even sell nopales (cactus paddles)!
What makes this town so cute is there dedication to protecting the image of the town that was invaded by aliens. And for a bit of proof that aliens abound in Roswell New Mexico all you have to do is look. Even the supermarkets have little green men! It is such an adorable little town so I know we will return when things finally open up.
Chaves County Courthouse
The front of the Chaves County Courthouse looks so modern compared to the rear of the building!
The rear of the Chaves County Courthouse is so majestic
A moving War Memorial behind the Chaves County Courthouse
An additional monument to Roswell residents who lost their lives in the Persian Gulf War
Driving around we discovered the stunning Chaves County Courthouse. Well, actually the rear of the building is stunning. Plus that’s where there is a moving Veteran’s Memorial and a beautiful statue of Patrick Floyd Jarvis Garrett. Never heard of him? Us either! So let me inform you.
Patrick Floyd Jarvis Garrett
A statue of Patrick Floyd Jarvis Garrett
In the western frontier Pat Garret was considered one of the most famous, effective and legendary law officers. He was an imposing and implacable foe of western criminals. Being 6′ 5″ didn’t hurt. Garrett was an honest and honorable lawman. And he was much mores than the slayer of Billy the Kid. He was a dreamer who was a major figure in the success of agri-business in the pecos Valley. IN addition he played an important role in New Mexico and Texas politics.
Garrett became sheriff when trailing and dispatching a group of Comanche raiders. That impressed Roswell’s J.C. Lea and John Chisum who were searching for an effective sheriff to rid the area of outlaw gangs, especially the young Billy the Kid. Though Garrett was successful in capturing the young outlaw he later escaped from the Lincoln County Courthouse after killing his two jailers.
Sheriff Garrett’s “ride to destiny” began in early July 1881, when along with two deputies, he mounted his horse, checked his favorite pistol (a single action 44-40 Colt), and rode the 80 miles to Fort Sumner. There at the nearby Maxwell Ranch near midnight on July 14, 1881, he met and killed Billy the Kid with a bullet through the heart.
Upon hearing of the death of the famed lawman, President Theodore Roosevelt was quoted as saying that “he brought law and order to New Mexico”. The statue you see here is the only known recognition of Garrett’s services as an early lawman.
New Mexico Military Institute
The entrance to the New Mexico Military Institute
New Mexico Military Institute Headquarters
A bit more exploring led us to discover that Roswell is the site of the New Mexico Military Institute. The beautiful campus was not open for learning at this time. But we were free to drive through and see how beautiful it was.
UFO Museum
At least the gift shop was open at the UFO Museum
Aliens and cowboys in front of the UFO Museum in Roswell NM
What a trio! Two aliens and a traveling locavore.
Another day we went to the UFO Museum which was closed. But the gift shop was open. Go figure. So we went to see all of the cute alien memorabilia. And of course to purchase an eerie but adorable magnet.
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Sandhill Cranes at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Sandhill Cranes coming in for a landing
Lots of geese are seen from the Goose Hill Overlook at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
We also discovered the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. We wended our way though searching for wildlife and we were rewarded with hundreds of geese and Sandhill Cranes. Maybe even thousands of these birds. And we were lucky to be able to get close enough to hear them chirping away.
The Traveling Locavores always make the best of each and every day! Life is far too short to waste a second.
Great read Sandy. I’ll have to try to get to Roswell one day. I’ve seen three unusual things in the sky. The most notable was when I was driving I-94 south in Wisconsin. It was a bright blue cloudless day and I saw what I thought was an airplane rising at about a 30° angle. I kept looking and could not see any wings. It was light grey in color and lozenge shaped and appeared to be just sitting at that angle. I kept driving 70 mph and keeping my eye on it and it seemed that I wasn’t getting any closer to it. I watched it for at least 10 minutes. Suddenly it leveled off and appeared to shake back and forth for a second then shot straight North super fast and disappeared. MaryJo was sleeping at the time and for some reason, I didn’t wake her up to take a look. I wish that I had.
I have always believed that we are not the only living beings in the universe. Steve and I have witnessed strange lights and objects in the sky on a few occasions. They can’t all be “weather balloons”! The UFO Museum was very enlightening. You and MaryJo should really try to visit Roswell when you get the chance. Definitely a fun place.