This exciting adventure took us through Lincoln National Forest in and around Capitan, NM. The Smokey Bear Historical Park was a very nostalgic learning experience, and then we could not resist going into the mountains to see where the bear later known as “Smokey” was recovered!

Exciting? A Museum? Well, interesting for sure!

The Smokey Bear Historical Park is an expansive location, with much to offer. It has a small theater inside that plays the background of Smokey Bear, the campaign, the zoo in DC and finally the conclusion Smokey’s career. There are also displays throughout the interior with both historical significance and of interest to see the decades of merchandise used to spread the message.

A couple of interesting displays are auditory and visual – there is a radio program played from the late 1950’s and a TV commerical spot from the late 1960s.

After seeing everything inside, you can wander out into an area that displays 6 of the 7 ecosystems of the immediate area. Why not all 7, you ask? Well, one only exists at a much higher altitude! There is also an amazing memorial to firefighters and Smokey’s final resting place.

But wait! There’s more!

Smokey was recovered clinging to a tree in the gap of the Capitan Mountain range after a particularly terrible forest fire swept the range. He passed through a couple of hands (and some intensive care) before landing with the marketing campaign and becoming the icon with which we all grew up!

So…what is more exciting than a museum about a bear that became word famous? Visiting the mountain gap where he was rescued, of course. It took some figuring out, a little detective work and some probing questions to a Ranger. Turns out, it is in Lincoln National forest and there is a road that heads up to the gap!

How exciting would it be to follow the road along the ridgeline?!

Our Ford F150 – leveled with offroad tire and 4 wheel drive – we should be able to go on up further, right? (ahem, are you listening Ford? another free plug!) There was a snow covered road leading out of the clearing and up along the ridge. We could not resist.

Once the ridge leveled out a bit we were able to look around and see the magnificent veiws all around us! We looked back down the ‘road’ we had come up (which seemed to disappear). The views were absolutely breathtaking, the drive not for the faint of heart, but not terrible.

We did see some very interesting tracks up in the snow along the ridge. Let me know if you think you know what made some of them!

Almost done with our exciting adventure

On our way out, we managed to see a herd of antelope in the distance, lounging in the sun in a farmer’s pasutre. Let me know if you see them. Also – let me know if you know what I had (Dad code) to immediately sing!

This exciting adventure in the books, more to come

Join us and follow along as we learn things, make mistakes so you do not have too and generally muck about North America! We are wild and on the loose! Check out our Archives for previous adventures and sign up with your email address on our front page to get notified when we have done something stupid *ahem* exciting.

Until next time, keep your eyes and ears ope. Life happens all around you everyday, don’t waste it!