(Jack Trivia Fact: 33 of 34 of New Mexico's State Parks are pet friendly.....and the only one that is not is Living Desert Zoo State Park in Carlsbad....'cuz it's a ZOO!)
This day....a warm spring sunshiny day...we drove south through the southwestern desert landscape.... and I was just soooooo dog-anxious to get my eyes on the sight of this unique park....when Lo and Behold!
(here's another JACK FACT n case you are a-wonderin'.... incredible volcanic rock formations gave this park its name...true 'nuff!)
At City of Rocks State Park and Desert Botanic Garden, we discovered this 'city of rocks' dog-literally! And if ya ask this dog...it was more like a city of BIG rocks...or Boulders or Pillars of Stone.....you get my dog-drift here, I am sure. To sum it up....LOTS OF gi-normous rocks.....
I couldn't wait to get my paws trackin'...climbing through those mighty big rocks along those windee paths.......some dog-dandy fun! 
Why I even climbed to the TOP O' THE WORLD....I'm pretty doggone sure!
And I explored desert cacti (WARNING) Don't get your Paws or your Behind too doggone close to those prickly things....OUCH! 
Break time!Whew! This dogercise can wear a pup out...if ya know what I mean!
But there sure are lots o' cool things to explore here in City of Rocks State Park. Visitors can camp, hike and explore the rocks. They can even enjoy the amazing night sky at New Mexico State Parks’ first astronomical observatory.
If ya wanna explore properly...here's my idea of just how to do City of Rocks State Park!
Tip # 1 Drive the loop. PupScript here---I'm NOT drivin'.....I'm LOOKIN'!
Tip #2 Choose where you wanna hike....and JUST DO IT!
Tip #5....(if yer brave enough) Climb to the top of the tallest boulder!
Those are Travelin' Jack's TIPS!
Yep take it from me....Travelin' Jack. City of Rocks State Park is one cool place in southwestern New Mexico. You better add this spot to your MUST DO explore list! Located between Deming and Silver City......City of Rocks State Park is sure worth the drive!
After I was too doggone tired to hike, explore or (dog-forbid) have MORE photos taken of me!......we rolled on down the highway to the tiny historic ghost town of Pinos Altos . It sits conveniently between Silver City and the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Pinos Altos (which means Tall Pines...yes I am a bilingual dog!) was a gold mining town in its day. All sorts of folks wandered these parts......includin' Billy the Kid????? now those were some dangerous times! Glad I live NOW! It's a grand place to visit in today's world!
So to get into the ol west spirit....we put on our boots and spurs and cowboy hat (so to bark!) and headed down Main Street to check out the sites.
We found old forts with turrets,
historic adobe structures
...the old post office
(HINT-It's turned ice cream parlor too now--double dog YUM!)
...why we even found the site of Judge Roy Bean's Store tucked right there on Main Street of Pinos Altos.
And as we wandered down Main Street.....needin' our thirst quenched and our tummies filled....we spied that popular eatery and drinkery called BUCKHORN SALOON. I took a break in the cool of the evening in the car...while Jill and Christene and our good buddy Lola chowed down on yummy steaks and cold brew.
NO pets allowed here in the saloon (dang!) but I know for a dog-fact that the steak is yummy because Jill saved me some tasty morsels....
YIPPEE-I-O-KAYAY...as the cowpokes say!
The Buckhorn Saloon is known as the best restaurant in 3 counties....and we do agree!
After dinner...the gals took a swing through the saloon doors......and oh-dog-oh-my-oh-dog....what did they find?
But an ol' Injun playin' some ILLEGAL slots (me-thinks). OH whew...it's just a make-believe teaser...but looks pretty real to me, don't you agree?
They also wandered into the ol' Opera House....an authentic piece of local history to be sure! Look at these ceiling-high balcony seats. THAT's where I wanna sit to see the BAD GUY taken out by the Sheriff in the WHITE STETSON! Let me know when the show starts....I'll be there!!!
But hey now...this has been one long...and dog-xhausting day...I'm ready to find my bed!
First stop.....friendly welcome from Daniel at the Office. He filled us in on the local area as well as pet friendly advice. No wonder this place is so PUPular!
We thoroughly LOVED our cabin that looked like a fairy tale tree-top chalet!
It's steeply sloped roofs complimented the 2-story wood/stone cabin. Very dreamy mountain cabin!
Leading up to the cabin were winding stone paths with hand-cut, bent-wood rails along the steps. Each cabin is set slope-side in this beautiful mountain-y setting where you hear the wind rustling the pine trees and watch birds cabin side at one of the numerous bird houses scattered throughout the property.
We entered the cabin proper through the covered but open-air porch...complete with picnic table, grill, Adirondack lounging chairs..old-timey screen door and even a wood bin filled with firewood for the fireplace---PAWFECT on a cool eve in the mountains.
Yup-pup...this dog knows those hidden gems tucked around our state.
The cabin interior was just as charming as the outside. We entered into the open living/dining room/kitchen where there was a stone fireplace center stage in the sitting area.
A tiny kitchen complete with everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink...even a microwave was there. We just needed to bring the food to make our stay complete.
The bathroom was nicely set up with a double sink and a shower/bath combo. Making our way upstairs (again along a bent wood bannister) we found two very cozy bedrooms each with a Queen bed.
We even had our own private balcony off one of the bedrooms...with a view right into the treetops.
We got the feel of being in a treehouse cabin....too fun! Big windows throughout the cabin let in the sunlight as well as glimpses of the greenery of the pine trees standing tall around our cabin. Cute decor throughout added a homey touch. We LOVED this cabin! Why we even had internet access tucked up here in the treetops...and we felt a thousand miles away from civilization. Total peace and comfort!
Cabin #3After a cozy night's sleep in our fairy tale cabin, we decided to explore the grounds in the morning light. VERY nice setting, I must BARK! The cabins are scattered around the property giving a sense of privacy...
....with lots of fun photo op spots scattered throughout. Birds twittered in the treetops, squirrels and chipmunks skittered around us.. And at the edge of the property we discovered a lovely wooded area to hike in.
Now THAT is what I-Travelin' Jack call a pet-friendly natural touch! Over 5 acres to roam about! HINT: It is very important in my dog's mind that when booking a room, you also check out the grounds around to see if it is pet-friendly too! I want places to roam and things to sniff....and Bear Creek Motel and Cabins fills this rule of paw pretty doggone fabulously! Bear Creek Motel and Cabins gets MY prestigious 5-PAW rating for comfort and setting!
Alas, our trip came to an end too quickly. I wanted to stay a week, but Jill-my chauffeur had other plans, so we took off after a wonderful but brief stay. BUT you can be sure---I. Travelin' Jack WILL be BACK!
I LUV Bear Creek Motel and Cabins in quaint Pinos Altos! And I dog-guarantee you will too!
It's both Pet AND People friendly!
So when YOU get a hankering to take your dog on a fab-tab-ulous dog-venture....head to City of Rocks State Park, head to the historic gold mining town of Pinos Altos...and make sure to head right to the pet-friendly Bear Creek Motel and Cabins! You won't be disappointed...I dog-gurantee!
Doggie Hugs and Slurpy Kisses!
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