Then About 20 Miles Later We Arrived at the Hatch RV Park and Met New Friends

One of the Rose Bushes at the Hatch RV Park 

Thursday, April 13, 2023 (continued)

The self proclaimed "Chili Capital of the World"

This sign is at Exit 41 going south on I-25
 as you turn on to NM-26 going West.

The question one may ask is how did we end up there, the above picture, when we left Deming on NM-26  heading towards Hatch, NM, basically going East. The two pictures below are part of the explanation.

The top picture is what the entrance to the Hatch RV Park looks like
when you are approaching it going East on Franklin Street (NM-26)
The bottom picture is going West on the same street.

Look closely and you will notice there is something missing going East; mainly a sign with the name of the park on it. All we saw was a sign that said "entrance" and by the time we did realize that was it we were past it. Now "Hazel" on Google Maps, yes we do call her Hazel, told us we were here but we could not see it. So the next challenge was finding a place to turn around and not get stuck doing so. We did not see a place as we continued East on NM-26 and then we had to decide north or south as we approached I-25. We chose North and nine miles later we were able to exit and merge back on going south. This time we knew what we were looking for and then there ahead of us a sign with the name of the park Now honestly we made the mistake but in our defense just because it said entrance did not mean it was an RV Park and again we really do not want to turn off and not be able to turn around. I think a sign that can be seen when going east would be a nice addition. So that is the explanation as to why we went some extra miles. As I mentioned in the last post we had thought we would make the RV Park around 1 o'clock with all the fun we did not pull in until around 1:50pm.

So we pulled in and stopped just before the small office building. Tom was told when he made the reservations there would not be anyone there and in fact the whole time we were there we never saw anyone in the office. He was also told we would be in Site 1 just past the office and it would be an easy pull in. From where we stopped it looked like there was already someone in this site so Tom got out and took a walk and sure enough there was. The gentleman explained to Tom they had extended and were told they could just stay in the site. Meanwhile I am sitting in the motorhome wondering what was taking Tom so long. Well that gentleman whose name is Walter was a Navy Veteran and Tom had his Navy ball cap on need I say more.  So when he finally came back and told me what was going on I checked his email and sure enough they had changed our site to 6. Anyway, we finally got into our site which was basically across from our original site. 

Walter mentioned to Tom that he and his wife, Debra, where walking down to the Brewery a few blocks from the park and invited us to come along. We still had to set up so Tom told him we would probably take a walk a little later. After setting up we decided it sounded like fun so that is what we did. When we got there they were sitting with another couple they had met there and once we sat down without missing a beat we started talking and  proceeded to get to know each other. There is only one way to describe this evening and the word is fun. It was a fun evening.

Debra and Walter are from Hawaii and they hold the distinction of being the first RVer's we have met from that state. Debra is still working but close to retirement and they fly over and spend short spurts of time traveling in their motorhome. The second couple, Georgia and Ted are snowbirds from Green Bay, WI and what a surprise that is only about 120 miles south from where are from. Ted was actually wearing a ball cap with the UP on it so they needed no explanation of where we were from.

I have mentioned more than once that one of the wonderful and unexpected perks of living this life style is the people we have met along the way. This evening was an example of just that. We met two special couples and enjoyed a wonderful evening together. Georgia and Ted belong to Harvest Host and were staying next to the Brewery. So we wished them safe travels and after hugs a good night there at the Brewery. We walked home with Debra and Walter before hugs and saying goodnight. We did plan on seeing them again in the morning before they pulled out to continue their journey. We all exchanged information and hopefully we will cross paths again down the road. Regardless, this meeting is in our "memory book" and the memory of this fun evening will be part of this journey of life we are on forever. 

Left to right: Ted, Debra, Georgia, myself, Tom, and Walter
I do not remember the dog's name.
They have a "make your mark" map and not only was the UP
on it but so was Escanaba. 

It was a very good day.

Friday, April 14, 2023

In the morning we walked over after we saw them pull in the slide. Their motor was running after we spent a few minutes chatting there was a shell necklace from Walter, I did mention they were from Hawaii, and  it was time for hugs so they could be on their way. 

We always say things happen for a reason: How wonderful that Debra and Walter were in the site we had originally thought we were going to pull into.

They are inside ready to go and as we walked away I turned and
took this picture before going inside. A few seconds later we heard
their horn as they pulled away. Safe Travels!

Just after they left we headed out for a walk to find a place to have something to eat and check out a couple of the shops along the way. The temperature was in the 70's with some wind but still a pleasant walk.

This is Sparkys Restaurant I little bit of everything next to and  
on their building. The bottom picture is across the street.

This is the sign next to Ronald McDonald in
the above picture.

This pretty little park is next to the Hatch Museum.

It was open so we went in. It is a nice home town museum.

While Tom was still browsing I went back outside and sat on a bench
 in the park next door. Then I looked down and... next picture.

My first Dandelion sighting for this Spring. 
I think they are so beautiful!

Looking at the gazebo from where I was sitting.

After Tom finished at the Museum we crossed the street
and went to the Pepper Pot for Tom to have breakfast and
I enjoyed lunch. The food was good and we would stop again.
There was a collection of salt and pepper
shakers across from where we were sitting.

This is also part of Sparky's building. We have driven past
here more than once and I never noticed the dinosaurs before.

I took these pictures on our walk this morning.
The middle picture is the Brewery.

Another day we enjoyed and it was a good day.

Saturday, April 15, 2023 

The only thing on our agenda today was 5:30 Mass at Our Lord of Mercy Catholic Church. What a lovely small church and like so many of the smaller mission churches we attend in the Southwest we immediately feel welcomed 

The inside was so beautiful.
Top picture: the Altar
Bottom pictures: the left side of the altar, Our Lady of Guadalupe. 
Right side Divine Mercy picture and statue.
This was Divine Mercy Sunday.

These are in the back: Along the left wall, St. Joseph
Along the right wall as you walk in St. Theresa. 

After spending three nights in this place tomorrow we will be moving a few miles north. We have enjoyed our time here and feel blessed to have met two new couples that we will always think of as friends.

We are so glad you stopped by!

If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.