Lincoln County Wars, Smokey Bear, Pistachioland

A 3-day weekend (Veterans Day) we went to some of the nearest mountain region of New Mexico. 

The Lincoln County Monument was all about the establishment and battle for control of Lincoln County, NM. At one time this county was the largest in the country. 6 other counties, including Eddy County where we live now, were eventually carved out of Lincoln. 

Yep, Sam's dressed for the weather.

That Horrell clan created problems everywhere
they went. They were part of the Lincoln County 
War and shot up most of Lampasas, TX

So, Billy the Kid was quite literate.
A teenager with a hot head and 
a good aim seems to be a popular
guy to claim in any number of 
places in the southwest. 

A torreon (fortified shelter) was built in 1850.
It was part of defense again Apaches and
the Lincoln County War sharpshooters. 

Built in 1874 as the Murphy-Dolan Store. It was
the headquarters of one side of the Lincoln County
War. 

The vault held land deeds, not money. 

That very large pink area in the SE corner
of the state was all Lincoln County. 

Sam the Kid with that Billy fella

It turns out Smokey Bear urging fire safety in the
forest began in WWII to make sure vital timber
resources needed for the war effort were not lost.
Then there was the little black bear cub rescued
from a tree following a forest fire. His rescuer named
him Smokey and the forest service took him on to
spread the lessons of fire safety to children. 

Sons of the Pioneers recorded this album

Little Smokey bear was taken to the National Zoo,
recovered from his burns, and lived a long comfortable life

New Mexico Wildland Fallen Firefighter Memorial

Smokey's resting place. 

Pistachioland in Alamogordo. When you
have a farm and want to make more money than
that crop, you also plant grapevines, and then
make it a tourist attraction. 
The little green tram gives tours of the farm.

Eating pistachio ice cream under a pistachio tree

Part of the orchard

Part of the vineyard. 

ALL PHOTOS AND INFORMATION ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. AS THE SOLE PROPERTY OF THE BLOGGER THEY MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED OR USED IN ANY WAY WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE BLOGGER.