5in29: Day 8-11. Las Cruces: Part 4

Dec 28, 2024

There are so many good things I wanted to share with my readers that I have to create another Part because 3 parts just are not enough space.

Attraction #1: La Posta Restaurant

Dr. Davison’s daughter Diana suggested this place in the Old Mesilla Town as a must-visit.
The place is HUGE. I was first impressed by its large parking lot that was full of about 120+ cars, and the street spaces were all filled. As we were struggling to fit our van into a tight space that was just emptied, I was thinking: “Uh-oh, we may have to make a reservation for tomorrow.”
We walked into a place that was beautifully decorated from outside to inside. I’d say the inside was so rich that I have a hard time describing it.
We were told to wait for 25 minutes!
I walked around and admired their ladies’ bathroom (I am normally not so obsessed with such places but a bathroom reflects the quality of a restaurant) and other decorations including several caged parrots that followed me around when I talked to them. Just as I sat down on a bench, about 30+ people were being led to their table in a room.
When we were led to a room of 5-6 tables, most would sit 2-4 people, I couldn’t help but ask the waiter, “How many guests can you accommodate at any given moment?” “470. Today we are a bit busy because a group of 100+ players from Little Leagues in El Paso are here to dine.” Wow!
The food was the best Mexican food we had during this trip, and they were about the same price as our lunch in El Paso. Too bad we were so hungry, we didn’t take photos when the food came.

Every Saturday from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Las Cruces downtown holds the farmer’s market. It takes 7 blocks and is full of fun stuff and yummy food. Hundreds of vendors were selling locally made food, crafts, and produce.
The market celebrated its 50 anniversary, although I don’t remember ever attending it back when I was in Las Cruces.
This time around, I wish I had time to explore it fuller and taste more.

Roadrunner is the state bird of New Mexico.
One mile from the KOA campsite and on I-10 outside Las Cruces stands a large roadrunner statue which is 20 feet tall and 40 feet long. The bird could be seen for miles.
It is called Recycled Roadrunner because it is constructed entirely out of garbage. Looking carefully, one can see all kinds of things: old sneakers, old clothes, bike parts, remote controls, cell phones, golf clubs, plastic toys, you name it.
It was designed by local artist Olin Calk in 1993. It first stood at the Las Cruces Foothills Landfill. The purpose was to draw attention to our consumption habits, the power of recycling, and how much we toss away into landfills.

(The end for Las Cruces)