1996 Cross-Country Tour. Day 26, June 12, Dulce to Tierra Amarilla NM

Wednesday June 12, Dulce to Tierra Amarilla NM

54 miles

Day 26 map

"A Mexican Ghost Town"

Adam and Alan (on right) in front of Continental Divide sign

We did our "official" crossing of the Continental Divide a few miles after leaving Dulce. There were a couple of German tourists parked at the marker who needed someone to take their pictures, so we had a camera-swapping party so everyone would have a photographic record of the historic event.

County courthouse in Tierra Amarilla NM We stopped in Chama for lunch but didn't take a ride on the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad. We neglected to pick up more food in Chama so we later took a couple mile side trip to the town of Tierra Amarilla looking for a store. We didn't find a store, but did find an old Spanish courthouse set in the midst of what Adam described as a "Mexican ghost town." Many old abandoned Spanish- style buildings set around a dusty central courtyard -- signs and grafitti in Spanish -- We could easily imagine we had somehow dropped into Old Mexico rather than New Mexico. (This photo is of the county courthouse.)

Building at intrance to Tierra Amarilla with graffitti

This photo is looking back on the way out of town. Tonight we're staying at the L&L Ranch campground a few miles east of Tierra Amarilla

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