Blogs from Columbus, New Mexico, United States, North America

THE PUNITIVE EXPEDITION During the early morning hours of March 9, 1916 Pancho Villa launched a surprise attack on the peacefully snoring community of Columbus, NM. Pancho was all mad because the Wilson Administration recognized Venusiano Carranza as the rightful leader of Mexico and imposed an embargo on guns and ammo sold to Pancho. There was a fellow living at the Commercial Hotel in Columbus who had been supplying Pancho with guns and ammo, but because of the embargo could no longer deliver them. He still owed Pancho money for the failed shipment. Pancho wanted a pound of flesh from that guy, and he wanted to rob the custom house, and the bank, and maybe capture a few cavalry horses too. The Commercial Hotel was the first establishment that Pancho’s men visited and the gun dealer ... read more

Sunday, 19 January, 2014 Last night we did go up to the McDonald Observatory for the Star Party, held Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights. We didn’t know quite what to expect or even if they’d be sold out, but we went anyway. It was AMAZING!! We sat outside (it was cold) at their outdoor arena while one of the staff gave us a talk on the night sky above us. He pointed out constellations with a laser pointer and told stories about them, as well as pointing out stars and satellites passing overhead. We saw the Hubble telescope pass by and numerous other satellites. It was just after dusk when the program got started, but as the sky got darker, the stars became more and more crowded in the sky. The Milky Way was the densest ... read more