One day while we were in Las Cruces, NM, we took a drive north on Interstate 25 to visit Elephant Butte Lake State Park, Elephant Butte Dam, and a small town called Truth or Consequences. We had never heard of these places, however, our daughter-in-law had a family connection in this area: her dad, who recently passed away, lived in this area. Because of that connection, we wanted to visit these areas.
Elephant Butte State Park is a lovely park situated on the west shore of Elephant Butte Lake. The lake was created when Elephant Butte Dam was built between 1910-1916. It was the first large-scale effort to harness and control the Rio Grande. When the dam was completed, it was the world’s second largest irrigation reservoir with a capacity of more than two million acre-feet of water. As you look at the pictures, notice how low the lake level is; the shore shows a water line MUCH higher than the level of the water is at this time. ALL of the southwest states are in the middle of a pretty severe drought.
On the way to the boat ramp, we saw this Sandcastle Building. It was very detailed and interesting, to say the least.
Spring in the desert – this little cactus was in bloom.
Just a few miles from Elephant Butte Lake is a town with a population of 6,023 called Truth or Consequences (also known as TorC). Our daughter-in-law’s dad lived in Truth or Consequences at the Veteran’s Home for a while before he passed. We took a drive around to explore the town and found the Veteran’s Home. It looked really nice.
While driving/walking around the Veteran’s Home property, I noticed some unusual figurines, monuments, and an American flag through the trees and scrubs. Right next door to the Veteran’s Home was a Veterans’ Memorial Park. It was a lovely, FREE park with numerous attractions: Memory Garden, Column Burial, Static Monuments, Statue of Liberty, a replication of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, and a Military Museum.
It also had what they called an “Historical Walk of Education” which was a concrete walkway in the shape of a Congressional Medal of Honor. Along this walkway is a commemorative monument for each of the sixteen conflicts in which the United States has ever been involved starting with the American Revolution. Each war’s monument gives information about the war, cease fires, treaties, and the number of military killed and wounded. It was very informative and a wonderful way to honor those who fought in each conflict.
Replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
This is the Historical Walk of Education.
This is the Guardian of the Park, and it is located in the center of the Historical Walk of Education.
Another view of the Historical Walk of Education.
This is the Column Burial. Names are engraved on the brass plates. What a beautiful memorial.
Also included in this park was the Dianne Hamilton Military Museum. This museum was also free, AND they allowed our little Shih Tzu, Zoey, to come in with us (on her leash, of course). There are many rare and educational exhibits including historic war memorabilia, a collection of military buttons, a display on Buffalo Soldiers, and artifacts once owned by local heroes. Displays are continually being updated and expanded. Jack and I were truly impressed with the amount of displays in this museum.
If you are ever driving by Truth or Consequences, NM, on Interstate 25, this museum and memorial park is well worth planning a “rest stop” and getting out to stretch your legs.
Next stop…Albuquerque!
So, for now ….. “On the Road Again!”
Betty