overcharged), we entered a world of faded newspaper clippings, bad artwork, and hokey displays. My favorite was the “authentic” recreation of the alien autopsy, where the alien looked like a preschooler’s silly putty creation that hadn’t been dusted in decades. What a hoot! 
And don’t be fooled, the museum doesn’t limit itself to the Roswell “crash” – there’s exhibits on alien abductions, crop circles, and of course, Area 51. But maybe the best part is the gift shop, where you can buy gifts that combine the best of New Mexico and aliens from outer space, like the red chili-alien Christmas Ornament – a must have! I’m sorry if this offends the true believers of the Roswell story, but for me, it’s just that – a story.On a much more serious exploration, we journeyed to Fort Sumner to visit the Bosque Redondo Memorial, which commemorates the site of a million-acre Indian reservation.
To get here, over 8000 Navajos were marched as far as 450 miles during a harsh winter in 1863, and kept here until 1868. The memorial, a beautiful building built to resemble an Indian Teepee, has a nice visitor center and interpretive trails that wander through the cottonwood trees. The story here is another example of how poorly native Americans were treated and the memorial is worth the trip to see.
As we were driving into town, we noticed the tails of large aircraft at what was once Walker Air Force Base, which closed in the late 60s. Taking a trip for a closer look, we were amazed at the number of wide-bodied airliners parked on the ramps. B-747s, DC-10s, L1011s, even a few A-300s were there, many of which had their engines removed and some which were obviously being cannibalized for their parts. Driving through the old base, it was
interesting to see how some of the identifiable base buildings had been turned into a college campus, a medical clinic, and business offices. It’s always sad to see what was once a vibrant facility become a semi-deserted place like this, but at least it’s serving the community and the old base housing provides a home for low-income families.We’re in cowboy country, so stop back and read about our travels on the Billy the Kid Trail!
