We have traveled to and through New Mexico many times, but we found two new (to us) places on this trip, this story being about Deming, NM at the Rockhound State Park, on the lower sides of the Little Florida Mountains.

We left our sweet campsite in Terlingua behind us, and trekked to Rockhound State Park, a few miles south of Deming and sits in southwest New Mexico at the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert.

If you travel anywhere across southern New Mexico there are places where the chances of dust storms are common, particularly towards late afternoon when the winds whip up.  Visibility while driving can drop severely – the NMDOT says “Wait until the dust settles” as their catch line.  We experienced this firsthand, both driving and upon arriving at our campsite.

This park is unique in that visitors can gather and take rocks, which can contain geodes and minerals.  Since we wouldn’t know a geode from a rock lobster, we left the rocks for others.

Within the state park there are two sections: Rockhound, where you can hike and camp, and Spring Canyon, which is for hiking and day use only.  We did a little hiking in each and the views are terrific.  Time of day matters for photos and lighting, but you need to be cognizant of how quickly the temperatures and visibility drops as the sun sets.

One of the things about being out west, where the mountains rise out of a flat terrain and where you can see for miles, is that the sun causes shadows from mountains to extend miles into the valleys – amazing.  This would be absurd to see anywhere on the east coast, with no line of sight more than a couple of hundred yards in most cases.

The campground is great (water and electric at some sites, common dump station), and the views are terrific, both for the surrounding mountains and valley.

Now views and hiking are all nice, but we had two outstanding experiences while we were camped here.  One was a trip to the Pink Store, just over the border into Mexico, and the other was a fantastic meal at Tacos Mirosol in Deming, thanks to recommendations from Where’s Mike and Blanche.

As mentioned, the Pink Store is just over the border into Mexico in Polomas.  You drive to Columbus, NM and park just this side of the border and then walk into Polomas, Mexico.  It won’t matter if you don’t bring your passport into Mexico, but it sure will make a difference if you want to come back into the US.  Your call if you want to come back or not.

Keep in mind that Deming was part of the Gadsden Purchase in 1853, which acquired this land from Mexico so that the railroads could connect southern California to the other United States.  If you think there might be a strong Mexican influence in this area, ahh, yeah.

The Pink Store is quite an experience.  If you know what kind of a shopper I am (not a good one), you will appreciate that comment.  Besides a fearsome array of colorful, how do I say this, essential stuff, there is also a restaurant with live entertainment as well.  Perhaps a margarita would help sooth those parched lips from shopping.  Don’t ask me how I know this.

The other amazing experience was dining at Tacos Mirosol in Deming.  If you get confused in Deming, just remember that everything is either on East Pine Street or Gold Street.  Tacos Mirosol is on E. Pine.

This place is a delight!  First, the place is just super cool.  Second, they make the best homemade lemonade we have ever experienced.  Unbelievable.  Pretty sure anything that tastes that good must either be illegal or bad for you.  And the food was superb – best tacos (and other stuff) ever.

If you find your way near Deming, make sure you stop and enjoy!  Til we meet again!