Horse Racing Track in Ruidoso

The Horse Racing track in Ruidoso is very poplar. They race every Thursday, Friday and Sunday during the summer. We watched them practice one day. They field is beautifully groomed for the horses to run on. We took a picture of the starting gate.

We actually knew the couple that won the big race one weekend. They were staying in one of the Condo's at Champion's Run. They were the Snyders. They came from Louisiana with two horses, but one got colic and had to have surgery so he was out of the race. The other one entered the race with a mexican rider that had never raced or rode her before. She was not favored to win. When the horn went off, she took off and went for the inside fence. They said she had to catch up with all the other horses but made it to the finish line FIRST. AND SHE WON. They were so excited. They were telling us all about the race. One lady bet $40.00 and went away with $8,500. It was exciting just to see them so excited. They visited with us every morning while they were taking their smoking bread outside of the condo.

Apache Chief High School

The Apache Chiefs have a lot of sports. Here is the football field. Please notice the beautiful scenery in the background. It is absolutely breathtaking. It can be cold and windy, hot and sunny, and pouring rain. One afternoon we were watching BJ Naiche play football. It was so hot that the sun burned my legs through my skirt. The Apache's love sports because it gives their kids a chance to be with other people and they love the sporting activities.

Mescal Plant*

Here is a picture of the Mescal Plant that the Mescalero Indians were named after. It looks like a cactus but if you tip it over you will find food in the root. This is how they survived in hard times.

Mescal Plant

Fish Lake in Mescalero Country

While driving to Alamagordo we came across this little retreat in the mountains. It is a man-made lake filled (and I mean filled with fish). Just look at the picture of the fish. We threw a handful of fish food and they actually jumped out of the water to get it. They were everywhere. It is fed by a stream of water from the mountains. They have a cabin rental for a group activity and they let you fish for $2.50. However, they do charge you for the fish by the inch. All I could think of was "What a place for a Grandma's Week) Fantastic

Apache Ski Hill in Summer

We drove to the Apache Ski Hill which is way on top of the mountain. It is owned by the Apache's but everyone loves it. The road goes on and on and on and on. It takes about 1/2 hour to drive to the top on a steep winding road, but it is beautiful. We saw all kinds of wild life along the way. I'm not so sure I want to drive it in the winter time. It is only a two lane road, but well worth the drive.

Streets of Mescalero

This is the long road that we take every day to Mescalero. It has a picture of the Sierre Madre, a large mountain in the background. This summer the fields were beautiful with yellow flowers everywhere. They have Indian paintings along the roadside like this.

Welcome to Mescalero Country

Here are some scenes from Mescalero. It is a beautiful country with pine trees everywhere. It reminds me of the top of the mountains in Utah. The Apache Indians live in some of the prettiest environment with green trees, hawks, deer, elk, blue skies, wind, some of the most colorful culture. The Apache people love nature and are very traditional in their beliefs. Enjoy some of the beautiful scenes and places of Mescalero.

Our Working Group at MTC

Our Own Church in Mescalero

Ramona's Baptism

The Catholic Church in Mescalero and Apache Christ

Apache Ski Hill in Summer

There are Deer EVERYWHERE

Streets of Ruidoso

The village of Ruidoso is very beautiful and picturesque. There are pine trees everyone and it is green and lush. It rains almost every day. Here is a picture of their streets