Silver and Gold

Silver City, New Mexico was named for its valuable minerals that are still actively mined.  I don't know much about the going rates of silver or gold, but I do know Silver City, New Mexico has a couple of priceless gems: my parents.

 

 Over Thanksgiving, I made my first trip to see my parents' new life just north of the Mexican Border. They've made a lovely new home for themselves, fully equipped with their own welcoming committee for weary travelers, such as myself:

I hadn't seen Evelyn for over 3 years.  She still loves me!

If my dad ever wants to pick-up some side work, he'd make a great tour guide.  I'm pretty sure I saw every square inch of Silver City while I was there.  One of our first stops was Big Ditch Park.  This part of the country has a wicked monsoon season.  Our cumulative rainfall in Western Washington must be close to the downpour they get in a good monsoon, because way back when, the ditch you see below used to be Main Street until a monsoon carved it out.  They've since moved Main Street over 50 yards or so.  This baby fills up when the rain comes.

 

 

  

Silver City at Sunset (click image to enlarge)

 

  

See the Buck?  There are A LOT of deer here.

My favorite place we went was to The City of Rocks. As the result of ancient volcanic activity and years of geological wonder, we're left with a "city" of hundreds of boulders in the middle of an otherwise open desert.  Amazing.

Again, click the image for a closer view.

Here are those mines that are still in use.  Silver City is small, and many of the residents are employed by this here mining company.  The trucks that drive on these paths are HUGE and burn a gallon of fuel per mile.  Makes you think about some things, eh?

 

 

The Continental Divide wraps around Silver City, and we crossed it several times in different places. All raised in the flat remains of glaciers past in Wisconsin, it's funny that my parents and I have both found our hearts' homes amidst the mountains now.  Very different mountains, but mountains still.  It's important to love the place you live, and I feel fortunate that my parents can say they do and that Mike and I can say we do.  It takes strength to move across the country, to give up everything you know and build something new.  My parents worked incredibly hard for the beautiful home they had in Wisco.  They're working hard again now, and they're doing a beautiful job of it. Precious metals are valued for their rarity, their beauty, and their strength; so are my parents.

Mutti and Papa John, I love you both.  Thank you for showing me your city.  I look forward to the many more visits to come and the adventures we'll have together; Mike does too.