WE LOVE YOU SMOKEY

...... we stayed overnight at the Smokey Bear Hotel where country music lured us into the local eatery. Oh boy!, country fried steak and all the fixin's.

Friday, 4/25, a.m. we biked around the town of Capitan and to Smokey Bear Historical Park. For background, the bear idea started in 1944 by the US Forest Service and was named after a NY Asst Fire Chief, "Smokey" Joe Martin. In 1950, a badly burned bear cub was found in a Capitan Mt. fire aftermath and called "Smokey." He became the living symbol of the fire prevention campaign and lived at the Natl Zoo in Wash, D.C. Upon his death in 1976, Smokey was flown home to Capitan and buried. We paid our respects.

Fire restrictions prevented us from camping overnight in the backcountry of Capitan Mts; however, we took an excursion there for a look see and lunch....and rest time!

The road to Socorrco was long and straight, flat prairie like sides, and majestic mountains in the background. Magadalena appears serene, so we stop there for the night. Two weeks into our roadtrip, miles, and still loving life.