Coal scale in Deming Photo by Don Lovell

In October of 1997 I was sent from my office in Kansas City to Carrizozo, New Mexico to perform environmental inspection services and onsite management of the demolition work being done on the Union Pacific railroad yard facilities. The former crew quarters were to be disassembled and moved and the old railroad station torn down. Asbestos building materials were to be abated as prerequisite to the station demolition and the disposition of the old crew quarters apartments detailed.

I had flown into Albuquerque, rented a vehicle and driven down to Carrizozo through Sorroco and across the Stallion Station. Severe thunderstorms had moved through the area that day, providing some incredible sights of distant cloud formations with rain shafts and lightning displays. As I drove across Stallion Station, an oryx stood by the fence chewing his cud, a sight that made me do a double take as I had only seen one in a zoo before and had no idea such a critter existed in this country otherwise. I commented to myself that after having read about the Trinity Site bomb test, it was probably just a radioactive mutated range cow deceiving my eyes.

A small rock and mudslide blocking part of the highway where construction had been ongoing on Hwy. 380 delayed me. I continued into Carrizozo, stopping briefly on the outskirts of town to look at the Malapais of the Valley of Fires National Monument and took some panoramic photos of the Sierra Blanca Mountain and Carrizozo Peak. I checked out the railroad property to be demolished, took pictures and visited the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office to let them know that work would be starting there in the next couple of days.

Sierra Blanca Peak. Photo by Don Lovell

My office had made reservations at a motel in Ruidoso at my request, as I had heard that the ski resort town was home to some fun bars and cafés and the Mescalero Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino and golf course. The next morning I made a sunrise drive down the mountain through Nogal to Carrizozo and started my job. The old railroad crew quarters were to be divided up and I met with several area citizens who were interested in moving them to be remodeled into houses. The old railroad station would be completely demolished with the salvaged materials going to a local rancher who had bid to dismantle it after the asbestos fireproofing had been removed.

At the end of the first day I was invited to the White Oaks Cowgirls Social Club Saloon located in the old settlement of White Oaks. I was introduced to Grady Stewart, the proprietor and bartender. I washed the dust from my throat with some Sierra Blanca Brewing Company Nut Brown Ale and got a local history lesson. After ascertaining that I was indeed sober enough to make the long drive back to Ruidoso, I returned to my motel and got a bite to eat at the Café Rio in downtown Ruidoso. Each day I experienced spectacular sunrises on my way down the mountain to Carrizozo and began to really fall in love with the area.

On my 4th day in Lincoln County I visited historic Lincoln and ate a meal fit for a king at the Wortley Hotel. In conversations with my office in Kansas City, they inquired if I would mind being inconvenienced by having to do some more New Mexico work. Gee, the sacrifices I have to make for these people. I received details that after completing the Carrizozo work I would have a small job to do in Tucumcari and then a rather large project in Deming later in the winter. Hmmm ice and snow and heavy traffic in December in Kansas City or sunny blue skies and wide open vistas in Deming? Decisions, Decisions.

On the weekends when we were not working in Carrizozo, I would tour the Lincoln County area and check out the sights. The weather was absolutely perfect, sunny, 65 degrees, incredible blue sky and the most gorgeous sunrises and sunsets everyday. I did some hiking around the Bonito Lake area and took roll after roll of pictures around Lincoln County. While I was working in Carrizozo, the movie “The Outfitters” was being filmed and I shared several beers at the White Oaks Saloon with members of the cast and production company. Being a musician I got opportunities to jam wit

h some of the local talent at White Oaks and also met several of the artists who reside in the area. I was able to jam with some of the bands playing at nightspots in Ruidoso.

The only problem was that I burned my candle at both ends and came down with a nasty head cold, and it evolved into a very painful sore throat and earache. I went to the emergency room at the Ruidoso hospital early one morning, but no one was available to see me and I had to go to work. I stopped into “Dr. Steve’s Kitchen” at the end of the canyon in Ruidoso, and Sue Steve, the proprietors, fixed me up with a steaming hot mug of their delicious Posole and some Huevos Rancheros, which really made my throat and earache feel much better. Nice folks, and I ended up making a good friendship with them. I ate many incredible meals at their establishment during my stay in Ruidoso and made it a point to revisit them when I was in the area later in the winter.

I finally had to deal with the sore throat and earache. I went to the Lincoln County Health Department, where I got excellent treatment and a prescription for antibiotics. In my conversation with the physician's assistant there I was advised that with my skills in emergency medicine and environmental work, I would probably be able to find employment in the area should I decide to move. At every place I visited in Lincoln County, I was greeted with great hospitality and friendly people. I have since started thinking seriously about moving to the area. This winter when I was stuck in a bad traffic jam with icy roads here in Kansas City, I began to realize that a New Mexico mailing address was in my future.

I have started growing several varieties of chile peppers in my garden here and have cooked up lots of Posole and Chile Verde for topping my Huevos Rancheros that I now am totally addicted to. In fact, several friends in Kansas City are now addicted to my roasted chilies and homemade salsa. Looking ahead, I have been fine tuning my guitar playing skills so that I can play music in Ruidoso upon my return.

Part 2: Adventures in Deming and Silver City

Silver City. Photo by Carla DeMarco.

In December of that same year, I went to Deming to start on preparations for the explosive demolition of the 105 ft. tall Concrete Coal Scale located in the Deming Railroad yard next to Interstate 10. Preparations included the proper notifications to area law enforcement, highway department, fire department, railroad and utility companies. My crew was preparing the structure for proper placement of the explosive charges that would cause the structure to fall in the selected drop zone. In dealing with the Deming City Officials I was introduced to Bob Hudgens, Code Enforcement Enforcement Officer and Chief Fred Rossiter, of the Deming Fire Department. They were most helpful in getting the proper precautions and notifications taken care of for the project.

Bob told me about the fine dining to be had in Pinos Altos outside of Silver City, and he asked me if I would like to join him for a drink at the Adobe Deli after work. I drove out of Deming several miles south to Lewis Flats and found the Adobe Deli and met Bob there. He introduced me to Van Jacobsen, the proprietor, and we enjoyed a good cigar from Van’s well stocked humidor along with several glasses of microbrew ales that Van keeps in stock. I was introduced to several local characters. We talked about well-known local writer and legendary Border Patrol officer Skeeter Skelton and his son Bart, a contributing editor for “Guns Ammo” Magazine, who sometimes stopped in for a good cigar and a cold cerveza. I found this establishment to be one of the most fun places I have ever been to, and frequented it many times during the duration of the Deming project. I vow that should I ever get a good band put together I will go and play some gigs at the Adobe Deli, for repayment for the wonderful fun times I enjoyed during my visits there.

One evening I took a side trip up to Silver City and ate an incredible meal at the Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House. Jicama salad will now be one of my favorite side dishes and the ribeye steak I ate there was just perfect. Later I drove down into Silver City and had a few beers and listened to a good band at the Buffalo Bar, another establishment I would like to play music at.

About three days before I was to witness the explosive demolition of the structure in Deming, I was called back to Kansas City to deal with an emergency on another project at Kansas City International Airport and did not get to see the final big bang. Bob Hudgens was kind enough to send me some photos of the explosion. I recently wrote a letter to Bart Skelton telling him about my experiences in the area, and he had articles in “Guns Ammo” about the Adobe Deli and White Oaks, New Mexico history shortly after that. When I get a chance to move to the area, I will be torn between living in Lincoln County or in the Silver City area.  Southern New Mexico is a wonderful place and I was well treated by everyone I met there. I will be back, and hopefully become a contributing citizen to the area.