Nature Friday Ride and Walk

 

Welcome to Nature Friday, where we get to meet new friends and share a picture or two of what nature looks like around Blogville.

HAPPY MAY!

We aren't quite sure where April went but we are really enjoying the beautiful Spring weather here in the high desert of New Mexico!

Today, I am going to tell you a little about the Elephant Butte Lake, and the small town of Truth or Consequences.

The weather when we arrived in Elephant Butte was beautiful....except it was really windy. While we were waiting (and hoping) for the wind to die down, the pawrents took me for a ride in hopes we could find a place to hike. Elephant Butte State Park was closed for the day, but we stopped to take in the pretty view.

Elephant Butte Dam was built from 1911 until its completion in 1916. It created the largest body of water in New Mexico and can irrigate up to 178,000 acres land! 

When we visit Cedar Grove RV Park next time we are going to make it a point to get out and do some hiking around the lake! 

After we left Elephant Butte Lake, we took a drive to the next town over,  Truth or Consequences

We found a pawsome trail and set off on a little hike!

T or C was incorporated in 1914 as Hot Springs, NM. 

As the name suggests, Hot Springs was(and is) the home of a cluster of Rio Grande hot springs. People flocked here because of the healing properties the hot springs were/are said to have. There are more than a few resorts and spas people come here visit just to experience the hot springs.

If the town is known for its hot springs, why did they change the name???

Well, back in 1950 as part of a publicity stunt for a popular USA TV game, "Hot Springs" changed its name to Truth or Consequences. 

The producer, Ralph Edwards, visited T or C every year for quite a while. In fact, to this day, Edwards is celebrated the first weekend in May during the Fiesta celebration. 

Pretty cool, huh??

OH, did I mention the trail we walked was in back of the T or C Veteran's Park?? This eagle is the guardian of the park.

They also had pretty barrel cactus.

Aren't their blooms beautiful!!

I hope you enjoyed our little hike through the Southwest landscape while learning a bit about Truth or Consequences, NM. Mama will be back on Tuesday to tell you about the pawrents little side trip to Hatch, NM!

We sure hope everyone gets out to enjoy some nature this weekend!

Show us your nature! It can be flowers, your current weather, a scene out of your window, or maybe a picture from a vacation, walk or other journey! Any kind of nature picture will do! If you don't see a link below, click HERE  to go to our Hoppity Page.