This stop was a pleasant surprise. Our original intent was to hike the trails of Chiricahua National Monument, Land of “Standing Up Rocks,” but unbeknownst to us, Willcox is better known for its wineries. The town has tasting rooms and several vineyards along the wine trail. Being fans of red wine, we enjoyed the different varieties the vineyards offered and walked away with a few bottles of excellent red wine.

The national monument spires originated 27 million years ago when a volcano spewed ash over the terrain. It became a national monument in 1924 to protect the pinnacles. Our hike to the Echo Canyon Loop was mind-boggling. We passed several rock structures, where it seemed one rock was just perched on another and would fall with a passing wind. However, these rocks have remained solid throughout the years. Each turn delights us with stunning views. Surprisingly, we didn’t pass many hikers, and we were the only ones on the trail for most of the hike. This is a highly recommended hike in our books.

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City of Rocks State Park was unique. As we drove into the park, it felt like we were visiting Fred and Barney in Bedrock. These rock formations are in the middle of nowhere. Each campsite was nestled among the crooks and crannies of the rock formations. The rangers tried to maintain the ambiance of the formations as rock vestibules hid the trash cans.

The wind was strong on the first day there, and navigating the park was interesting. There were sites where you could barely know there were campers, as they were hidden among the rocks. We rode to Silver City at 3:00 pm but got there too late, as many of the stores were closed. It still is the off-season for them.

The Table Mountain trail was an excellent hike to the top of the mountain. We didn’t realize how high we climbed until we looked down and saw that our 5th wheel was a tiny speck among the rocks. We were fortunate to choose a day when the weather was calm, and the wind was at bay. We were glad we found this hidden gem in the middle of nowhere.

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We were able to grab a lakeside spot on BLM land. The entrance was a little tight, but Mitch managed to navigate his way through. The sunsets and star-filled nights were a welcomed sight. The next day, we visited White Sands National Park. It wasn’t as majestic as the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado, and the height of the dunes could not compare to those of the Great Sands. This park reminded me more of Florida’s dunes on Clearwater Beach. The sand was hard, unlike the Great Sands, where you immediately sunk into the sand and struggled to get to the next step.

As we rode through the park, the white sand made it necessary to wear sunglasses. In each dune we passed, people could be seen gliding down on plastic sledding saucers, having a good time. There were also several that pitched a sun canopy relaxing to spend the day. We were glad we arrived at the park early because as we departed, the line to get into the park was backed up to the entrance.

We also rode into town and visited a pistachio farm. I never knew the nut came from a tree. Of course, we couldn’t leave without having some pistachio ice cream. Yummy!

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We stopped overnight at the Rio Grande Winery. We loved it two years ago and enjoyed it even more this time as they enhanced the tasting room and added food options. They also had a new addition: pickleball courts. We enjoyed the music and sat and chatted with some other RV travelers.

We got up early the following morning to hike the Slot Canyon Trail. As you can hear in the video, I was apprehensive due to the gate and fencing around the area. I am not a rule breaker and didn’t want to get caught trespassing. On the other hand, Mitch assured me it was on Alltrails, and we would be fine, as it looked like others had visited the trail.

I was happy we continued on the trail. The rock formations were incredible. They reminded me of Antelope Canyon in Arizona; however, the rocks were not as smooth. When we reached the other side of the slots, we encountered other hikers. They pointed out a trail that would lead us to the top of the mesa. Mitch gave me the option of climbing to the top or continuing on another trail in the area. Choice made—we are going to the top.

The view was great from the top. It was a little windy at the top, but it didn’t stop Mitch from taking his 360-degree photos. Upon our return, several hikers were starting their trek. I guess it is common knowledge that all are welcome to hike the trails.

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