After a five-minute picture taking visit, I left City of Rocks, Silver City NM in hopes of arriving at Hyde State Park before dark. However, after passing an entering Gila National Forest sign; my cell phone, google maps as well as my CB radio died. All I could do was keep driving because there weren’t any pull-offs or turnaround areas. However, I knew without a doubt – I would eventually stumble upon a sign directing me to a nearby highway.

Wrong… Picture this.  Six hours later (4pm -10pm) I was still winding higher and higher up this Gila National Forest mountainous road during 20 to 35-miles an hour; discovering various mile markers, Campgroup signs (but none I could get my 30-foot mobile home into).  Every freaking sign you have seen or might have only heard about was on this godforsaken stretch of mountainous road such as, your typical Bus stop signs, Orange Triangles, Left Curve – 25 miles. Right Curve 35-miles, Caution, Bump, Slow, Dip, Reverse Curve, Degree Curve, Truck Rollover, Right Diagonal Stripe, Animal Crossing and more. Also, there were no protection guards to prevent drivers from falling over the side of this mountainous roadway. So, vehicle skid marks over the mountain side and swerves became a common sight.  I could only hope, I didn’t become one of those misfortunate drivers.

But, I discovered rather quickly not knowing this road and dangerous turns around a mountain which was on my right-side and put me closer to the actual mountain, because of the pivot length of my mobile home became a reality when my rear tire hit a large road opening beside the mountain; causing me to make a quick left-swing correction to clear the tail-end of my vehicle. This move caused me to slam on my brakes because I was headed at an angle across the road. Every time I eased my foot off the brake – my mobile home would move closer to the drop-off point.

My first thought was, “Dam, I have travelled all over the U.S. and nothing has ever made me feel so vulnerable or afraid until now! Then I prayed, “Please God, don’t let another vehicle come around this mountain until I can backup and return this mobile home to my side of the road.  Okay God, it’s me and you!” I said.

I slammed on the gas pedal; quickly dropper my left-foot from the brakes and my mobile home jerked backwards close to the mountain but on my side of the road. “Thank you, Lord,” I said.

Again, I begin to slowly make my way down the mountain. It wouldn’t be honorable not to recognize it was God that saved me. In fact, like a movie every night for a few weeks – this incident has run repeatedly in my mind. I see an on-coming vehicle hitting me broadside and both of us falling off the mountain. Tumbling like boulders from mountains during an earthquake. The sound of breaking trees and things breaking apart and crashing in the mobile home which never stopped until we hit the bottom of the mountain.  Then, I found myself standing on the top of mountain with Dakota in my arms looking down at wreckage which looked like toys use by children to playhouse. I asked God to wrap his protective arms around the driver that hit me.

After everything I had already dealt with – It appeared I would never get out of Gila National Forest. It’s dark; I am tired, and hungry (hadn’t even had breakfast before arriving and leaving City of Rocks in Silver City). At this point, I just wanted this forest thing to be over. However, I found myself running through little communities with houses setting way back from the road; and folks speeding pass me – like they stole something and was running from the police.

Finally, I came upon a small motel. The office was closed and there was one vehicle parked in front of a room. If other guest had been there; I wouldn’t have been able to pull my mobile home into the courtyard. Yes, it’s late. I don’t know who is staying here (male or female). But I am going to knock on that door and ask for directions which I did. A lady opened the door. Hello, I am sorry to be knocking on your door this late. But I have be lost in Gila National Forest since 4pm; can you please tell me how to get off this mountain?

Laughter… I know just how you feel. I drove in here from Texas early this morning and had my own similar issues. But you are almost out of the forest. Just keep going the way you are heading. You will eventually see a school. You’ll know it’s a school because kid’s crafts are all over the fence. There, make a sharp left then a right which will bring you pass the front of the school. Shortly therefore, you will see a route sign. It’s either 295 or 285; anyway, it will lead you to Silver City, NM. 

I thanked her for the information and left. I didn’t care – I was heading back to Silver City which is the City of Rocks location. An area I had visited earlier during the day. I just wanted to get out of Gila Forest and take a few deep breaths. However, I never saw the school. Although, because of darkness – I wouldn’t have seen it if it was setting on the road ahead of me. Night-driving is just that bad for me.

 I had been driving for ten-minutes when a white male doofus, who had passed me twice in his white pickup truck. Now, pulled up on my left, stopped and shined a flood light into my face and the cab of my mobile home which completely blinded me. This caused me to slam on my brakes which caused a hidden vehicle behind me to do the same and slide-out a little to my left. Resulting in this coward with the flood light – cutting off his light and speeding away. Dang-it my gun is in the back of this mobile home, I said to my empty vehicle. However, I did connect with highway 285 and arrived in Silver City, NM a little after 10pm and pulled onto Family Dollar.

Since the entrance doors were propped open, I entered and found two white cashiers restocking shelves. May I help you, one asked. Yes. I need to purchase 10-gallon jugs of water, I replied. I wish I had some to sell you. But this is a holiday weekend; the jugs were the first to go. But I do have a few cases of bottled water, she replied. Thanks, but no thanks. My puppy would easily drink five or more bottles at a time.

Because they were women, I shared the doofus incident that occurred during my search for a route connection to exit Gila National Forest. As well as, how long I had been lost in the forest.  Mmm. We don’t ever go up there. Nor do any people we know, the other replied.  We’re glad you made it down safely. You can spend the night on our parking lot if you like; people do it all the time, she replied. Thank you. I think I will do that. I am too tried to drive, and I do have night blindness.  

Based on research and comments from tour guides, Gila National Forest and its wilderness areas covers over 3.3 million acres of the most beautiful pristine land in the world. It is also known as one of the largest tracts of public land in this country. The forest’s terrain ranges from rugged mountains and deep canyons to mesas and semi-desert.

The next morning Dakota and I left Family Dollar’s parking lot at 6am heading for Hyde State Park, again.

Sorry, I didn’t get that many pictures of Gila National Forest. The crap I dealt with on that mountain and the fact God was with me is all the memory I care to have.