It was late when we got into Silver City, so Wim and Tiny and I set up our tents and then went in search of food. We showed up at a chain buffet place just as they were closing at 9pm, and were afraid they were the only place in walking distance. But guess who was being turned away at the same moment. It was none other than Charles Smith, aka Scott Rose, country singer. He showed us his guitar, told us about his gigs, and then loaded us into the back of his pickup for a ride down to another restaurant that would still be open. (It was Wim and Tiny's first US ride in the back of a pickup - they were shocked that it's legal here!)

Scott Rose is trying to make a comeback after years of hard times. We heard about his life and it sounded like the makings of a fantastic country music career. He's 60-something, quite overweight, dressed perfectly (with an embroidered hat that says "Scott Rose"), had a hard divorce, kids that treat him bad, and a hard life. He's ready to make Nashville music.

Anyway, we sat at the Red Barn restaurant and ate and broke bread with a coming country music legend. Then he drove us back to our campsite, and headed back to his home in Cliff, New Mexico.