|
Madrid the old coal mining town on the Turquoise Trail May 9, 2007. We got up this morning and moved the motorhome from the extreme western side of Albuquerque to the extreme eastern side. Thirty something miles later we exited 1-40 at exit 178 where we entered Hidden Valley Resort, a PPA park $11.88 FHU 30-amps nice level pull-thru sites with gravel interior roads and sites. Level sites in New Mexico are a bonus. VBG For those of you that are not familiar with PPA (Pass Port America) it is an organization you can join for less than $50 per-year. Campgrounds that belong to PPA offer 1/2 price discounts. That kind of savings can quickly add up. While participating PPA parks generally have some restrictions on dates the PPA offer is valid, or possibly days of the week the discount is valid, or perhaps the number of days that the PPA discount will be honored the discount is genuine. Many times PPA campgrounds are new campgrounds that need help in getting established. Other times PPA campgrounds may be on the outskirts of town instead of in the "prime" location thus they need to provide an incentive for campers to stay with them. Whatever the reason PPA campgrounds generally provide a much cheaper option. PPA is the only campground organization that I think is worth the cost. PPA does not have a gimic. What you see is what you get. Once you join they send you a directory listing all participating campgrounds. The PPA directory is the FIRST directory we check when trying to locate a place to spend the night. You can join PPA by calling 228-452-9972. If you decide to join PPA, it would be nice if you gave them my number "R-0156251" as the PPA member that told you about PPA. In return PPA will give me a years membership free. I will thank you in advance for that kindness. Thank you.
We made this move to be closer to the dealer that we are purchasing our new motorhome from and to be closer to things we have yet to do around Albuquerque. We are scheduled to switch motorhomes on Saturday. Until then we are free to continue our exploring. Last night Joyce contacted old friends from Pensacola who have moved to New Mexico. Most people would say they live near Santa Fe and that would be accurate enough for Government Work. But the truth of the matter is they live off SR-14 between the historic old communities of Madrid and Los Cerrillos. That is only 36-miles north of the Hidden Valley Resort we are staying in.
Outskirts of the old coal mining town of Madrid, New Mexico
Now we are about to reach the outskirts of the old coal mining town of Madrid. Frank told us that a group of miners from southern Missouri moved here to mine coal. They named the town Madrid after the Madrid fault region of Missouri where they were from.
In 1828 gold was discovered in these hills. It was placer gold that could be washed from stream gravels. Production was limited, of course, by the lack of water. Lack of water is a problem in most of New Mexico. Lode gold was found in bedrock a few years later, inaugurating a gold rush that preceded the more famous California gold rush by more than a decade. Later, lead, silver, and hard anthracite coal, rare in the West, were mined in these hills.
Madrid, New Mexico
Joyce snapped these pictures out the window as we passed through Madrid on our way to Frank and Sandy's.
Madrid, New Mexico
Madrid Trading Post.
From Cerrillos Frank drove us to the old coal mining town of Madrid about 5-miles south on SR-14. Frank & Sandy were telling us about the movie "Wild Hogs" being filmed there not long ago. Joyce was quick to remember that our son had told us about going to a movie recently that was about a town in New Mexico---that movie was Wild Hogs and the town was Madrid.
Madrid Diner from movie "Wild Hogs"
We stopped in front of this diner that was used in the movie "Wild Hogs".
Movie "Wild Hogs"
Thise sign is in the window of the above restaurant.
Movie "Wild Hogs"
Sign on the door of that Diner.
Madrid, New Mexico
This building with the Sears Roebuck sign on the wall was another building featured in the movie. Sandy told us that the movie producers had the Sears sign painted on the building just for the movie.
Taco Cafe Madrid, New Mexico
This is the Taco Cafe, a block or so south of Maggie's and the Sears Roebuck sign. I don't know if it was in the movie but it should have been. The movie makers wouldn't have had to do anything to juice up the ambiance. I think most of the dining takes place under that tree to the right.
Madrid, New Mexico
There were several other buildings in town that could easily have been used in that movie.
Old steam locomotive in Madrid, New Mexico
This is an old steam engine located in Madrid. I suspect it was used in the coal mine industry that has closed.
Madrid, New Mexico hippy house
And we took this final picture on our way out of town. I guess this was one of the abandoned buildings Frank said hippies moved into in the 1960's.
Frank Young & Mike Hendrix
Back at Frank and Sandy's their dog comes out to greet us.
More New Mexico AdventuresSome Exciting Drives** More 2007 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
|
| ||
| |||
|
|
|||
|
| |||
|
|
