Great article by Stephen Evans, going to New Mexico. It brought back memories of my time at Ft. Bliss, TX in 1972-1974 as a Hawk Missile Technician in the US Army, as well as spending time at Mc Gregor Range and White Sands. I don't remember ever eating at that cafe, but had been to Alamogordo and La Cruces many times as well as spending a weekend near Cloud Croft in the National Forest camping with friends. I guess I did not have enough camping while in Basic Training.
All of those towns mentioned in TX and NM are great for riding. A different type of scenery, especially after the ride to get there through desert.
I do have to mention, that you missed a great stop, not far off the route at Carlsbad Caverns, NM. The 18 months that I spent at Ft. Bliss, I think I visited the Caverns at least 4 times when people came to see me from out of state, or other friends. On your next trip to west TX/NM, check it out Stephen.
On a side note: Our youngest son, was deployed in August, 2019 and had spent a month at Ft. Bliss and Mc Gregor Range before going overseas.
Carl