Saturday, September 25, 2010

ROSWELL AND ARTESIA, NEW MEXICO

Thursday, September 23 – We decided to drive up to Roswell, NM today to see the UFO Museum. The landscape was about as flat as it could get.

flat-land-to-roswell

On our way into town, we saw a very intriguing sign.

bowling-alley

We didn’t know Roswell was such an entertaining town. Before you get the same idea, look a little closer to where this “Premier Night Club” is located.

bowling-alley-2

We bowled for years and NEVER saw a “Night Club” in a bowling alley. Must be a New Mexico thing.
As we approached the city, we knew we were in trouble when we spotted the lampposts. OH BOY!

lamppost

The UFO Museum all came about because of a July 4, 1947 crash of a flying saucer. After reports in the newspapers and military involvement, the government reportedly “covered-up” the incident. It has become another “government conspiracy” situation. You can read all about it at UFO Roswell.

ufo-sign

The museum consisted mostly of printed reports and some photographs of the crash and additional UFO citings. They were showing a Hollywood movie re-enacting the entire story. All and all we were a little disappointed with the museum. Fortunately, the entry fee was only $5.

Paul just couldn’t believe he was looking at a real alien.
paul-and-alien

We then walked around town looking at the many gift shows full of UFO pharaphenial. There were many humorous t-shirts and other gifts.

1-alien-store

2-cafe

We stopped in Artesia, NM on the way home. This is the home of the Artesia Western Sculpture Roundup.
The Cattle Drive…The series is designed to represent and honor the development of the ranching industry in southeastern New Mexico in the late 1800s.

The Trail Boss – He would have been the man in charge. Often an owner of a small herd.

 trail-boss

The Rustler
– He was a personality common in the Wild West, such as Billy the Kid. A Rustler would steal cattle from a herd, alter the brand, and claim them as his own to sell.

The-rustler

The Vaquero –Vaquero is Spanish for cowboy.

The-vaquero 

Artesia MainStreet’s History in Bronze project celebrates the important eras in the community’s development and its people, who represent the pioneering spirit of entrepreneurship, perseverance and strong will still present in the community today.

First Lady of Artesia Monument - Honor the spirit of a pioneer woman, Sallie Chisum.  The niece of famed cattleman John Chisum, she was one of the first traders in the real estate market in Artesia, established and operated Artesia’s first post office.

First-lady-of-artesia

Derrick Floor & Oilfield Pioneer Monuments -The Derrick Floor is a bronze artistic representation of a four-man crew on a drilling rig.

derrick-floor-and-oilfield-

The Driller – He is the crew chief. He chooses his own crew to ensure a group that works safely and efficiently as a team.

the-driller

The Derrick Hand – He works in the derrick to control pipe-handling operations from 60 feet to 90 feet above the derrick floor.

the-derrick-hand

The Floor Hands – These workers do the manual labor.  Marsha is helping the “throwing the chain”.

marsha-pulling-chain

Woman's Intuition – Martin Yates was part of the partnership that was responsible for the Illinois #3.

Mary-yates

Partners – Mack Chase and Johnny Gray are captured leaning on the hood of a pick-up, typical of the way in which they made most of their deals.

partners

Heritage Walkway - Heritage Walkway was created in celebration of our country’s bicentennial year.

1-heritage-walkway

2-heritage-walkway

4-heritage-walkway

5heritage-walkway

3-heritage-walkway

Once back at the motor home. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

clouds

If you look real close, left of the sun are two rain storms. Pretty cool to see these from so far away.

rain-clouds

Thanks for stopping by. We hope you have a great day. Hope to see you back real soon.