T or C, Riverbend Hot Springs and Time To Relax!

 After our brief stop in Roswell to hang with our alien friends, we continued on to Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico. 

We headed north from Roswell to drive around the White Sands Missile Range to get to T or C. Highway 380 took us up and through the Capitan Mountains.

On our way through the mountains, we passed the Valley of Fires Recreation Area, located immediately adjacent to the Malpais Lava Flow. Approximately 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak erupted and flowed 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling the basin with molten rock. The resulting lava flow is four to six miles wide, 160 feet thick and covers 125 square miles. The lava flow is considered to be one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States. You can see lava for miles as you pass through this area.

 Here I am standing in front of a wall of lava.
  

Truth or Consequences:  

You may be thinking, why the heck would we want to visit a little spec of a town like this?

Well, hot springs have everything to do with it. This funky little hippie enclave has a number of hot spring resorts. We are staying at one called Riverbend Hot Springs, where we will spend the night and soak our tired traveling bones.

A little history:

Originally named Hot Springs, the city changed its name to "Truth or Consequences", the title of a popular NBC Radio program. In March 1950, Ralph Edwards, the host of the radio quiz show Truth or Consequences, announced that he would air the program on its 10th anniversary from the first town that renamed itself after the show; Hot Springs won the honor, officially changing its name on March 31, 1950 (the program broadcast from there the following evening, April 1st). Edwards visited the town during the first weekend of May for the next 50 years. This event was called "Fiesta" and included a beauty contest, a parade, and a stage show. The city still celebrates Fiesta each year during the first weekend of May. We decided this unusual place is just the kind of place we would like to explore. With a population of about six thousand, it is just the right size too.

 Long considered sacred by the Apache and Mimbres tribes of southern New Mexico, the natural, mineral rich water of Riverbend Hot Springs has been relaxing and rejuvenating people for centuries. The spa sits literally on the bank of the Rio Grande River with spectacular views of Elephant Butte andTurtleback Mountain.

The therapeutic benefits of the geothermal water in the area have been known and used long before Geronimo and his Apache warriors left their weapons behind and spent the most peaceful time of their lives here as guests of Chief Victorio of the Warm Springs Apaches. The hot mineral water is free flowing from the springs into and out of the tubs.

Obviously I hadn't quite snapped out of my alien thing yet. I hope they didn't chip me! :o)

We were able to reserve a few sessions in private hot tubs during our 24 hour stay. Coming here in the off-season makes this easy. Extremely reasonable prices makes it even more inviting.

The view from our private tub.

 

 My alien eyes are starting to droop a little. I think I may be getting over my out of body experience!

You can see from this photo how empty the place is during the off season. We had a spectacular time at the spa.

Loading up the car is getting easier each time as we have been gone long enough to get the right system down. We decided as we left the spa that we will get Ripley washed before we leave town (that is what we call our car. We named her after Sigourney Weaver's character 'Ripley' in the original Alien movie). We need to get all of that road salt and dirt from our moment of horror around Dallas washed away. We are looking forward to lots of sunshine for the next 10 days or so.....we hope!

We stopped to have breakfast before we left town at the highly recommended Passion Pie Cafe. The Cafe is run by a couple of women who make everything 100% from scratch. This place and the whole town have a very laid back, relaxed and progressive feel. We decided we will definitely come back here for a longer stay in the future.

Rowan with her mini to-go pecan pie (in the bag) and my first REAL latte since we've been on the road. We ordered breakfast...................

.........my selection was bacon waffles (the bacon is crumbled up in the batter and then they bake the waffle. There is a piece of bacon in every bite! Inspired!). The soft fried eggs on the top and real maple syrup just iced the cake for me. Rowan chose Spanakopita and Greek salad. Delicious!

The theater across the street from the cafe shows the character of the whole town. A real old time western flair to the whole place.


  Onward.........
Santa Fe is next!