Pioneer Store Museum
Chloride, NM 87943
GPS Coordinates (in three formats):
N 33.338660o, W 107.681144o
N 33o 20.3196', W 107o 40.8687'
N 33o 20' 19.17", W 107o 40' 52.12"
Elevation: 6,186 feet
Today's trip was a short 144 miles. We were lazy and didn't get started until 1000. We finished the trip, including a lengthy stop at Walmart in 4:15. During our short ride, our trip odometer passed through 2,000 miles.
Yesterday, I mentioned the fact that our overnight stop was in a neighborhood of "agricultural wealth". Today on our way back to I-10, we passed through the other neighborhood. Here were the houses of the farm workers that made that wealth possible – not a pretty sight.
We said goodbye to I-10 after a short distance. In Las Cruces, NM we switched to I-25 for the rest of the trip north. Our last city was Truth or Consequences, NM. Yes, that is a real city and here is the story of how it got its name.
Truth or Consequences is the county seat of Sierra County, New Mexico, United States. In 2012, the population was 6,411. It is commonly known within New Mexico as T or C. It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names.
Originally named Hot Springs, the city changed its name to Truth or Consequences, the title of a popular NBC Radio program. In 1950, Ralph Edwards, the host of the radio quiz show Truth or Consequences, announced that he would air the program from the first town that renamed itself after the show; Hot Springs won the honor. Edwards visited the town during the first weekend of May for the next 50 years. This event was called "Fiesta" and included a beauty contest, a parade, and a stage show. The city still celebrates Fiesta each year during the first weekend of May. Wikipedia
Somewhere the literature about Chloride says the nearest Walmart is 40 miles away (we clocked it to be 37.7 miles). Taking that as a warning we stopped at the Walmart in Truth or Consequences to do a major grocery and gas fillup. We later learned that the locals refer to the town as "T or C" and so do many of the road signs.
The last 40 miles (or 37.7) were brutally winding roads west into the mountains.
Almost there, we stopped at the General Store in Winston to verify directions and to check out the store. It is a real old fashion general store and I'll get back there soon to investigate further.
About 1415 we arrived in Chloride. I knew we were there when I saw the Hanging Tree ahead in the center of the road.
The little sign says "Chloride National Forest"
Don Edmund, the owner and our host, drove out to meet us as we arrived. He greeted us warmly and showed us to our campsite. In a few minutes his wife Dona and daughter Linda came to meet us and we chatted for a bit.
We did our initial setup. I'll finish tomorrow. Seven days and 2,095 miles of travel. Two very tired travelers went to bed early.
Another adventure begins.
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