26 | SUNRAYS APRIL 2014
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
OUTINGS
Purchase your tickets for CA Sponsored Outings at
or at the Member Services Office.
Tickets for activities listed for the first time will be available
Tuesday, April 1, at 8 a.m.
Ruidoso, New Mexico - Land of Enchantment
Sunday, June 22 to Friday, June 27; $670 pp double
occupancy, $940 pp single occupancy
Depart The Oaks Sunday 8 a.m.; Return Friday 5 p.m.
Looking for a tem-
porary escape from the Texas heat? Ruidoso,
New Mexico is high in the Rocky Mountains
of southeastern New Mexico. Towering above
the Village of Ruidoso is Sierra Blanca, 11,981
feet above sea level. Ruidoso weather is mild and great for enjoy-
ing the outdoors and the natural wonders that abound in Ru-
idoso, Lincoln County and the Lincoln National Forest. Here is
what we have planned for you:
Sunday –
Departing from the Oaks parking lot, we will spend
the day traveling to Ruidoso. Upon arrival at the Inn of the
Mountain Gods, you will be greeted by a stunning lobby featur-
ing a sweeping view of the snowcapped mountains, lake and
championship golf course. There is an indoor pool, fully equipped
work-out facility, multiple restaurants, casino and other activities.
Monday
–We start the day visiting the Three Rivers Petroglyphs
site, one of the largest and most interesting petroglyphs sites in
the Southwest. More than 21,000 glyphs of birds, humans, ani-
mals, fish, insects and plants, as well as numerous geometric and
abstract designs are scattered over 50 acres of the Chihuahuan
Desert. These petroglyphs date back to about 900-1400 AD, and
were created by JornadaMogollon people who used stone tools to
remove the dark patina on the exterior of the rock. A small pueblo
ruin is nearby and Sierra Blanca towers above to the east. The
trail distance is about a half mile. Be sure to bring sunscreen.
Water will be provided.
In the afternoon we will go to The Ruidoso Downs Race Track
for the races. Dinner will be on your own at The Cattle Baron.
Tuesday
– Our first destination is Cloudcroft, a 110-year-old
unique mountain community that combines modern life ameni-
ties with its heritage as a pioneer village. There will be time to
stroll the main street followed by a buffet lunch at The Lodge,
which has a rich and cultured past.
Next we go to Pistachio Groves/Heart of the Desert Vineyard for
a tour of the winery and time for shopping.
Our final stop will be at White Sands National Monument. We
will stop at the visitor center and then have a guide for the park.
Wednesday
– This is a day for history. Lincoln Historic Site is
a unique community frozen in time the 1870s and 1880s. Made
famous by one of the most violent periods in New Mexico his-
tory, today’s visitors to Lincoln can see the Old Lincoln County
Courthouse with museum exhibits that recount the details of
the Lincoln County War and the historic use of the “House” as
store, residence, Masonic Lodge, courthouse, and jail. Walk in
the footsteps of Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and other famous
and infamous characters of the Wild West. Trace the events of
1878 through the Courthouse and the Tunstall Store, with their
preserved 19th-century atmosphere. From here we take in Fort
Stanton and the Smokey Bear museum. Our day ends with din-
ner and entertainment at the Flying J Ranch.
Thursday
– We leave Ruidoso and travel to Carlsbad Caverns.
Carlsbad Cavern includes a large cave chamber, the Big Room,
a natural limestone chamber which is almost 4,000 feet long,
625 feet wide, and 255 feet high at the highest point.
Tour cost
is $10.
If you have a National Parks pass, bring it with you for
free admission to the caverns. After touring the caverns it is on
to Fort Stockton where we will spend the night.
Friday
– After a brief driving tour of Fort Stockton, we will
head home to Sun City.
Note: If you are vegetarian/vegan or have food allergies,
please state in “special needs/comments” when you pur-
chase your ticket.
Ticket cost includes transportation, all lodging, one breakfast,
two lunches, one dinner, and admission to all attractions except
Carlsbad Caverns ($10 fee without pass, as noted above).
Volunteer Trip Leader: Judy Schlobohm
Blanco Lavender Festival - NEW!
Friday, June 23, $24 pp
Depart SCPL 8 a.m.; Return 4 p.m.
Away we go along Highway 281 into
the heart of the TexasHill Country for the 10th
annual Lavender Festival. Did you know the
idea of lavender farming took root when Na-
tional Geographic photographer RobbKendrick
and hiswife visitedProvence, France, 14 years ago and noticed the
land there was similar to their own Blanco land? Robb returned
home to Blanco and planted 2,000 lavender plants and started
giving seminars on how to grow the flower. People listened and
in 2005, the first Blanco Lavender Festival was held and it gets
better each year. A Lavender Market on the grounds of the Old
Blanco Courthouse features local artisans’ arts and crafts and
local lavender products, including lavender ice cream! With six
restaurants around the square andmany food vendors, we won’t
go hungry. Next we are off to tour Imagine Lavender Farm and
the Hill Country Lavender Farm where we will experience the
beauty of lavender in the fields.
Since this is an outdoor event, be sure and bring plenty of water,
sunscreen, and a hat. Feel free to bring your own snacks/lunch.
There will be walking over uneven terrain and sidewalks, so
wear good walking shoes. We will make a short rest stop on the
way down.
Note: This outing will be in a 35-passenger bus, without
some of the amenities of the larger buses.
Ticket cost includes transportation only. Deadline to purchase
tickets is June 10.
Volunteer Trip Leader: Ellen Mire
