GREEN TREES AND SNOW

Finally off the beaten path and happy as a clam, Jackie dons her rock collecting rucksack and heads for the hills.  We've found a nice BLM Boondocking spot south of Lordsburg, NM., a couple hundred feet above I-10, which is almost visible better than a mile away.

Walking stick, rucksack and rock hammer.

The sun sets behind the Peloncillo Mountains and leaves in it's wake a shifting kaleidoscope of brilliant colors.  A rare gift indeed. Look close and you can just make out the tiny dots of car lights as they inch noiselessly along the interstate.

Earlier in the day, an hour or so after we pulled into our new spot, a young kid and his German Shepherd came by the camper.  It turns out that he's a Border Patrol guy on his day off just out walking his dog.  It still seems strange that he would frequent the very place he patrols but  after all, it is a strange world.

Stephen and his pooch, Kate, are originally from a small town in Massachusetts.  To say this barren, desolate landscape, crisscrossed with desert scrub, rocks and scurring illegals has been a shock to his visual senses, would be an understatement.  He has the appearance of a well mannered young man, alert and really quite talkative.  He gives good insight to the many problems faced by the Border Patrol; Lack of back-up being of most concern to he and his fellow workers.  He tells of the Mexican police and how corrupt and controled by the drug cartels they really are.  "They, the Mexican police, sit in their vehicles by the border fence and let the illegals know (for a price) when the US Border Patrol has passed, so they can jump the fence," Stephen says, with sort of a shrug of his shoulders.  He points to the surrounding hills and mountains while saying, "This country is just way too big to try and patrol with only a dozen guys, we maybe catch one in four that come through here.  Nab one, turn him over to ICE and likely as not we'll see him again next year.  Once I got in a pretty tough spot and needed back-up.  I waited an hour and a half before anyone showed up.  Now, since they doubled the force around here, it's still a forty-five minute wait before help finds you.  The illegals travel by night, usually come by here in groups of six to ten, and when they get close to the Interstate they use a cell phone to call for a pick-up to take them to El Paso, Phoenix or Tucson.  Sometimes we get discouraged knowing more could be done with an increase of guys but I guess it's a political thing that is out of our control.  But, it's my job and I'll admit, we're paid well.....Hell, we should, it's dangerous work out here."

He and Kate continuted down the rock strewn road, Kate sniffing the bush and Stephen lost in thought about....maybe home....green trees and snow.