Lincoln, New Mexico, is just west of Roswell on Highway 380. Lincoln was the center of the Lincoln County Wars and the spot where Billy the Kid was shot.

On the far east end of Lincoln is the Ellis Bed & Breakfast and Mercantile. The house was built in the 1800s and is a typical Elizabethan-style house, except for the inner courtyard. Once you enter the court yard, the feeling is Southwest. The Ellis house is also the oldest house in Lincoln County. The inside of the house is spacious. The main dining room is long, the floors are native pine, the ceiling is high. All of the wood trim is original, as are the window frames, doors, etc.--a very warm and inviting atmosphere.

On April 7, a group of folks from the BLM, AERC, New Mexico State Forest, and Lincoln residents gathered for a luncheon to celebrate the success of the Ft. Stanton trailhead project. During lunch I had the opportunity to visit with Bureau of Land Management Director Kathleen Clarke.

During our discussions I found Ms. Clarke to be very straightforward and willing to discuss issues we have with the BLM. Many times during lunch she reinforced the concept that the BLM is here to manage the lands and is committed to open access to our land. She made it quite clear that under this administration the BLM looks at the land not as theirs to hold, but theirs to manage for us. Access is not an issue, as long as our riding does not damage the resource. I can't begin to tell you how refreshing it is to hear a top administrator being so open and committed to public access to our land. The partnership we have created with the BLM is an excellent example of a public/private partnership that benefits both partners.

Through the efforts of Randy Eiland and our Adopt-a-Mustang program, and Roger Taylor who recognized the potential of Ft. Stanton, we are well on our way to creating other projects with the BLM. We are going to look at potential projects in Wyoming, Arizona, and Nevada.

These are exciting times for AERC and our trail efforts. Thank you all for your continuing support and remember: All you need is a horse and a trail.