Rodeo, NM

My goal here is to drive up into Coronado National Forest. The section just above Rodeo/Portal is reputed to be quite scenic & features many birds. It was considered a special place by the Apache. However, with howling winds whipping up blinding clouds of dust, today was more of an indoor attraction & stay-close-to-the-campground kind of day.

It truly was not fit for man nor beast. (There's a mountain in the first pic!) I can't resist a roadside historical marker, even when they aren't very exciting.

 

Rodeo & Portal barely qualify as places, with each comprising less than half a dozen buildings "in town", but there is a real museum here. In addition to a large & beautifully displayed collection of shells & bones, there were some live animals, some stuffed animals, art work, & a unique collection of dessert themed libations. (Alligator Milk anyone?) 

  

Back at the campground, I felt sorry for the animals out in the wind, but they did't seem too upset by it. 

This campground, like some state parks, is designated as a "dark sky park". Visitors are asked not to use outside lighting at their campsites, & to keep shades drawn at night to keep the area dark for star gazers; the sky here is pretty amazing at night.