the wandering chick
...Southwestern New Mexico
a delightful series of back roads

For several years now I've been taking the Interstate-10 whenever traveling from Texas to Arizona. It's the shortest and fastest route. I wouldn't call it boring, because I'm in my element when I'm on the road...I see beauty everywhere...it surrounds me and soothes me like a warm woolen blanket.

With that said, I have to admit the drive west on the interstate out of Tucson to Phoenix has gotten old...and almost boring. So this time I got out the atlas to look for an alternate route. And what I found may just become my new escape from the I-10!

I left the I-10 at Las Cruces, New Mexico, and made my way toward Globe, Arizona, via a series of state highways that took me over gorges and around mountains, always in the north and west directions that I needed to go. It traveled through a very few number of towns including Hatch, known for its New Mexico chilies; Hillsboro, a semi-ghost town; and Silver City, a former mining town and the largest town on the route. Part of the route is on the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway. Geronimo was born in the area west which is now part of the Gila National Forest.

After reaching the Arizona border, I made my way toward Globe via the State Highways 191 and 70. Whew! It may sound like a convoluted route that would take forever, but even if it took an hour more, it was well worth it.

The scenery, once again, had me stopping many, many times over for pictures. The highways were mostly two-lane, but in excellent condition. And traffic was very light. I don't think I saw a handful of semis, if any. The only thing I wished for was more pullouts on this grand journey of highways that were straight as an arrow in some spots and one switchback after another in others.

desert scenery
desert scenery
desert scenery
This photo and the next few were taken along the State Highway 27, heading north toward Hillsboro. The highway is a part of the Lake Valley Back Country Byway.
lone tree
desert scenery
Not a particularly neat and tidy little town, Hillsboro is filled with character. It's known for being a town of artists, and was founded in 1877 when gold was discovered there. Population: perhaps a couple hundred.
stucco church
residential home
desert scenery
desert scenery
Hillsboro's Cafe/General Store is long-standing on the town's main street and known for its incredible menu. The historical building itself is an original and contains turn-of-the-century antiques and memorabilia. I took this picture not only for the building, but because of the loaded-down bicycle parked out front. Having briefly talked to its owner at one of the town's historical markers, I found that he had traveled from Miami, Florida and was headed to San Diego. I was impressed and curious and wanted to ask questions that he was probably confronted with every day of his trip. So I refrained.
highway scene
cafe
highway scene
desert scenery
The Highway 152 is a wonderful winding scenic road (and part of the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway) that travels from Hillsboro to Kingston and toward Silver City through the Gila National Forest.
Also along the Highway 152 is Emory Pass Vista, a stunning 8000+-foot summit offering a panorama of the Gila National Forest and beyond.
vista
barn and fence
mountain panorama
straight highway
desert scenery
Just as scenic and less winding is the Highway 180 near Buckhorn.
This, the Highway 78, which is a shared highway name between New Mexico and Arizona, was such a fun road. Straight and narrow, little traffic and gorgeous scenery that had me pulling over as often as I could. The remaining shots were taken on Highway 78 as it left New Mexico and entered Arizona near Clifton. This shot and the one to the right were taken looking east back into New Mexico.
desert scenery
a very straight highway
mountain scenery
desert scenery
desert scenery
desert scenery
desert scenery

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desert scenery
desert scenery
desert scenery