Carrie and Clyde Tingley still greet visitors to Tingley Beach in ABQ.
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM—Two things struck me at 8:30 Thursday morning as I finished reading the events newsletter from New Mexico Magazine in my email inbox.
1. The Tour of the Gila was this weekend in Silver City. I would love to see part of it, but finding a hotel room was going to be impossible.
2. Hey, it’s the first weekend in May! Time for the Ralph Edwards inspired Parade and Fiesta in Truth or Consequences. I’m sure everybody knows how Hot Springs changed its name to that of a Ralph Edwards TV show, but if you don’t just follow the link. To tell the truth, I not seen either the parade or the show.
Well, by 10:30 we were on the road. I must add that two weeks ago we bought a tiny camping trailer: a Hi-Lo 15 footer. It moves up and down electrically. Anyway, we just had to try it out.
Headquarters
MaryAnn peeks out from our little trailer.
We drove down to Caballo Lake State Park and set up camp in the Riverside Campground, which is about 20 miles south of Truth or Consequences. It is a beautiful park with tall trees, green grass, and a river full of water…at least it is as I write this. The trailer rose up to full-size with the push of a button and our miniature headquarters for the trip was now established.
We drove back into T or C to wander around a bit. At the Geronimo Springs Museum we inquired about the parade and fiesta. Behind the counter was the sunny face of Jodell Downs. She had 40 years of memories of this town and its famous parade led by TV host Ralph Edwards. In fact, she and her husband, who at that time was president of the Hot Springs National Bank, were even invited to Ralph Edwards’ Hollywood home.
The Suicide Race
She said the Fiesta was not quite the same anymore. In the past they held a Suicide Race where
El Rio Grande from Riverside Campground south of T or C
people on horseback would race straight down the side of South Mountain and then the horses with their rider still (hopefully) on board would swim the river to the finish line. Frankly, that sounds like a new hit TV show to me.
Anyway, she said nothing happens tomorrow until the evening when the Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo takes place.
MaryAnn and I said goodbye. There would be plenty of time to drive over to Silver City tomorrow to check out the Tour of the Gila. Meanwhile, I had something else in mind. It had nothing to do with either bikes or TV. It had to do with Clyde and Carrie Tingley.
That’s right. Clyde Tingley, former governor and “mayor” of Albuquerque and his wife, Carrie. Statues of them still greet visitors at Tingley Beach in ABQ. Everyone notices Clyde’s hand is shiny from kids shaking it. What a politico! Dead for 50 years and still pressing the flesh!
But look at his wife Carrie. Look at her lap. That too has lost its weathered patina from kids sitting there. And that is what the next part of this story is about down here in Truth or Consequences.
More a bit later…
