un jour / 93 miles / 3 heures 5 minutes
Follow this byway through the rugged beauty of the million-acre Lincoln National Forest. From grassy plains to dense pine forests, the region is known for its stunning views and cool mountain climate. Visit historic Lincoln, once home to outlaw Billy the Kid and lawman Pat Garrett.
Jour 1
9:00 - 5.3 miles / 10 minutes - 9:10
Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts
North of Ruidoso on Highway 220, the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts hosts theater, dance, and music in one of the finest settings in the nation. This building represents state-of-the-art production facilities and attracts performers of world renown.
9:10 - 19.4 miles / 38 minutes - 9:49
With the formation of the county named in honor of President Lincoln in 1869, the Territorial Legislature changed this frontier town's name, for the third time, to Lincoln. Many buildings have been restored, and the town has remained virtually unchanged since the late 1800s.
The Lincoln County War, the last great shootout of the Old West, grew from a conflict between two rival mercantile operations, the Murphy-Dolan and Tunstall stores. Lawyer Alexander McSween, a Tunstall partner, was killed in the "Five Day Battle." His widow, Susan, went on to become known as the "Cattle Queen of New Mexico." She is buried in the cemetery at White Oaks. The Lincoln County Courthouse, where Billy the Kid was jailed, was once the Murphy-Dolan store. Billy escaped on April 25, 1881, killing two deputies. Three months later, Billy was killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett at Ft. Sumner.
Visit several museums, including the old Court House, for a fascinating look into history.10:49 - 31.4 miles / une heure 2 minutes - 11:52
Hubbard Museum of the American West
Throughout history, the horse has played a dramatic role in the exploration and expansion of the cultures of the world. More than just a collection of wagons and photos, the Hubbard Museum of the American West chronicles the contributions of the horse, a remarkable animal. The museum has gained prominence among museums located in the Southwest. The awesome equine sculpture by Dave
McGary, "Free Spirits at Noisy Water," graces the museum entrance. It has a richly diverse collection of fine art, family heirlooms, and western memorabilia. At the Hubbard Museum of the American West, history truly comes to life!12:52 - 28.6 miles / 57 minutes - 13:49
The Smokey Bear Museum and Park, located in Capitan, New Mexico, pays tribute to a courageous little bear that has become the nation's symbol for fighting and preventing forest fires. Smokey's body is buried in the park that bears his name. The museum is open to all. From this location, one can see the beautiful Capitan Mountains, where the fire started many years ago.
15:49 - 8.0 miles / 15 minutes - 16:05