A Letterbox in Kenna, NM

Thomas and I like to keep a supply of pecans and peanuts in our freezer for use in cooking and baking. About three weeks ago we ran out of both. So we talked about taking a road trip to Fort Sumner (where we get our pecans) and to Portales (where we get our peanuts). And since we were going to be in the vicinity we decided we should get a letterbox that was recently placed. So this morning we left home about 7:00am and began our road trip. The morning was gloomy - overcast, cold and foggy. But we enjoyed our drive and arrived in Fort Sumner around 9:30am. We get pecans from someone who Thomas worked with quite a few years ago. We had called during the week and placed our order and this morning we picked up 30 pounds of pecans. Enough to keep us supplied for a while. We left Fort Sumner and continued on to Portales. When I looked at the map I saw a road that would take us south to US 70 and put us very close to where the letterbox is planted. So we took NM 267 which turns into NM 330 and drove until we reached US 70. From this intersection we drove southwest to Kenna, NM. We followed the clues to From Crossroads to Ghost Town by Road Junkies and arrived at the Kenna Cemetery. We parked outside the cemetery and walked in. The cemetery is small and the clues were straight forward so I found the box quickly. The temperature was 34° and it was windy which made it really cold while stamping in. Thomas decided to go back to the car while I was stamping in. By the time I finished stamping and replaced the box I was cold and my hands were hurting. I enjoyed the box and stamp but I could have done without the cold and wind. And just so you know there is nothing in Kenna except for an old gas station that has been turned into a post office and convenience store.

Anyway, we left Kenna and headed north to Portales. We arrived in Portales and drove to Hampton Farms. Here we bought 50 pounds of raw peanuts. After we got our peanuts we decided to grab a bite to eat. We ate at El Rancho and had a great lunch. By this time it was 1:30pm and we decided since we had a three and a half hour drive home that we better get back on the road. We had a great time today on our road trip - it was nice to get out explore New Mexico.

The Pinto Line

On Sunday (1/7) ArnoldZiffel and Agent 86 placed a new box in Santa Fe. The box is placed near supports for an old trestle in the Rancho Viejo neighborhood. So today I was our running errands and on my way home I stopped to get this box. The parking area that the clues say to park in was locked so I parked in the Spur Trail lot and then walked to the parking area mentioned in the clues. From there I followed the clues and I easily found Pinto Line. I took the box to a spot off the trail where I could sit and stamp in. I didn't have any problems finding the box and the area was deserted (I didn't see one person on the trails) so I didn't have to worry about being seen. This box is about the New Mexico Central Railroad (formerly know as the Santa Fe Central Railroad). This line ran between Torrance and Santa Fe. It provided passenger service as well as carrying agricultural products from the Estancia Basin to market. The products included pinto beans thus earning the railroad the nickname "Pinto Line". It was a beautiful day for a walk to find a great box with lots of history - something I did not know. Thanks ArnoldZiffel and Agent 86.

New Mexico Central Railway train, southbound coal train,

vicinity of Arroyo de la Jara south of Kennedy and near Galisteo, New Mexico