26 | SUNRAYS MAY 2015
ONLINE:
SCTEXAS.ORG
OUTINGS
New Mexico – Land of Enchantment
– Ruidoso and Carlsbad
Sunday, June 14 – Friday, June 19
$780 pp double occupancy;
$900 pp single occupancy
Depart The Oaks Sunday 8 a.m.; Return Friday 5 p.m.
Ticket Purchase Deadline: Friday, May 22
Looking for a
temporary escape fromthe Texas heat? Ruidoso,
high in the Rocky Mountains of southeastern
NewMexico, has mild weather and is great for
enjoying the outdoors and the natural wonders
that abound.
Sunday:
Travel day to Ruidoso. Upon arrival at the beautiful Inn
of the Mountain Gods, you will be greeted by a stunning lobby
featuring a sweeping viewof the snowcappedmountains, lake and
championship golf course. There is an indoor pool, fully equipped
work-out facility, multiple restaurants, casino and other activities.
Optional golfing available; if interested, contact the trip leader.
Monday:
Our day begins visiting the Three Rivers Petroglyphs
site, one of the largest andmost interesting petroglyphs sites in the
Southwest. More than 21,000 glyphs of birds, humans, animals,
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 Jornada Mogollon 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 ½ mile.
Be sure to bring
sunscreen.
Water will be provided.
Fromhere we tour the Spencer Theater which houses the largest
permanent exhibit of Chihuly glass in the Southwest.
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
uniquemountain community that combinesmodern life amenities
with its heritage as a pioneer village. There will be time to stroll
the main street followed by a buffet lunch at The Lodge with a
rich and cultured past.
Next we go to Pistachio Groves/Heart of the Desert Vineyard
for a winery tour.
Our final stopwill be atWhite Sands National Monument where
you can climb the dunes.
(L)
Wednesday:
This is a day for history. LincolnHistoric Site is a
unique community frozen in time – the 1870s and 1880s. Made
famous by one of themost violent periods inNewMexico history,
today’s visitors can see the Old Lincoln County Courthouse
with museum exhibits that recount the details of the Lincoln
CountyWar 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 infamousWildWest
characters. 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. Built in 1855 and used as
a base of operations against the Mescalero Indians, it was later
used as a tuberculosis hospital, CCC camp and internment camp.
Fromthe fort, wewill make a stop in downtownRuidoso. Our day
ends with a real Western evening of dinner and entertainment
at the Flying J Ranch.
(D)
Thursday:
We travel to Carlsbad Caverns which includes a
natural limestone chamber, the Big Room – the third largest
chamber in North America and seventh largest in the world.
After touring the caverns it is on to Fort Stockton to spend the
night at Hampton Inn.
Friday:
After a brief driving tour of Fort Stockton, we will head
home to Sun City.
(B)
Ticket cost includes transportation, lodging, 1 breakfast (B), 1
lunch (L), 1 dinner (D), and admission to all attractions.
Volunteer Trip Leader: Judy Schlobohm
Purchase your tickets for CA Sponsored Outings at
or at the Member Services Office.
Tickets for outings listed for the first time will be available
Friday, May 1, at 8 a.m.
