#3: [07-Nov-02]

#1: [29-Dec-01] (incomplete)

01-Oct-2002 -- I, Joseph Kerski, Geographer at the US Geological Survey, together with two friends, made two unsuccessful attempts on 36 North, 105 West on 27-Sep-2002 and 01-Oct-2002. On our way to and from a wonderful weekend of caving in the Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico, we approached the confluence from the south and from the southeast. I had written the ranch owners earlier in the month with a request to access their land. On our first attempt, we traveled near Fort Union National Monument in New Mexico, and stopped at what we originally thought was an occupied ranch house, hoping to gain approval to visit the confluence. The house and adjacent buildings were vacant but not abandoned. We took some photographs of the surrounding valley-bottom grasslands and forested uplands on a fine autumn afternoon. Not having received permission, and running low on fuel, we left the area and proceeded south to explore four caves in three days.

On our return trip to Colorado, we visited one of the two occupied homes on the ranch, and met the residents of the home and their dog. They were quite cordial, and had received my letter, but they had not yet heard from the ranch's general manager or owners on the results of my request. We took a few more photographs on yet another fine autumn day and headed north on I-25 to Denver.

Upon reaching my office at the USGS, I discovered a message from the general manager. When I called him on the following day, we made plans for my next visit, which gave me hope that this third attempt would be a successful one. Hence, what I hope will be the final chapter in this quest will soon be written.