Things To Do in Deming and Lordsburg

What To See & Do Near Lordsburg -- Visitors to Lordsburg can go rockhounding in this area rich in minerals of many kinds. Desert roses can be found near Summit, and agate is known to exist in many abandoned mines locally. Mine dumps, southwest of Hachita, contain lead, zinc, and gold; the Animas Mountains have manganese. Volcanic glass can be picked up in Coronado National Forest, and you can pan for gold in Gold Gulch.

Rodeo, 30 miles southwest via I-10 and NM 80, is the home of the Chiricahua Gallery (tel. 575/557-2225; www.rodeonewmexico.com), open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Regional artists have joined in a nonprofit, cooperative venture to exhibit works and offer classes in a variety of media. Many choose to live on the high-desert slopes of the Chiricahua Range. Look especially for the inspirational bird-filled landscapes of Jean Bohlender. The gallery is on NM 80 en route to Douglas, Arizona.