Michelle and Matt pointed out the highlights of Deming and said there was a new park popping up in the ground.
It’s pretty bleak still but landscaping is on the way. Two and a half million bucks of work.
The water is supposed to be a reserve supply for the city and they allow fishing but no swimming. Boo hiss. Apparently swimming will be allowed when they know the water is clean enough. It’s a decade long process apparently.
Yup. Dinosaurs. I have no idea what’s going on but they were cute.
The day wasn’t half over and Rusty was resting. We took over the gazebo.
The park is named for a businessman and his wife who became big shots in Deming. Donation central I guess.
Michelle told us about the City of Rocks State park and we drove half an hour out of town to see what’s what. We were greeted by a raised middle finger.
The park has two camping areas, one with all the facilities which looked pretty boring even from a distance. A visitor center, a clump of RVs and so what is the fuss about?
If you go beyond the rows of RVs hooked to electrical cords you drive through what they called developed campsites, spots with tables and trash cans and fire rings but no hookups. This eccentric collection of scattered sites constitutes one of the most interesting campgrounds I’ve seen.
The city of rocks is a scattering of lava rocks that are estimated to be 30 million years old. They are found scattered around a hill rising up out of the endless desert floor. 
Dogs are welcome and you get to wander the trails at will.
There are what they call walk up sites for tent campers.
Ten bucks a night and you can use the Reserve America to get your site online.
We made our own pull out in a wide spot off the main dirt road through the state park.
Lunch time was three o’clock. Layne had remembered Michelle’s recommendation of a dive bar and eatery west of town. Adobe Deli in all its glory:
They are famous for their French onion soup.
We shared a grilled cheese sandwich with green chilies, New Mexico style. Delicious.
It was a strange place with a cheerful server who took good care of us and good food.Snd a bunch of odd decorations!
The staff at a winery we visited were visibly annoyed by our arrival. Weirdly we got some good tips from two locals who were drinking wine at the bar. They recommended the Shiraz and we took a bottle with us.
We stayed at a nearby rest area off the freeway last year and there it was as we traveled toward Benson and the sun was setting.
To sleep, perchance to dream…We were tired after a long day but Rusty passed out without touching his dinner. It must have been great for him.
