This Roadrunner is Nothing But Trash

Perched on a mesa high above the Mesilla Valley, overlooking its habitat, a giant roadrunner sculpted entirely of trash is a local and beloved landmark. At 20 feet tall and 40 feet long, it has nothing to fear from any coyote. 

"TrashBird," also known as the Trash Roadrunner, is located at a rest area on the south side of I-10, the interstate highway that runs east-west through Las Cruces. It's east of the Picacho Avenue exit, between mileposts 134 and 135. Trash Bird is accessible from the eastbound lanes, but is visible from I-10 westbound. It's seen by many visitors and travelers and is a good place for an expansive view of the Mesilla Valley. 

Olin Calk is the local artist who created the sculpture in 1993 and refurbished it in 2012 before it was placed at the rest stop.

Who knew trash could be made into something so unique and so beautiful? By the way, in Las Cruces, you'll see many real roadrunners. We have one who visits our yard frequently, and uses the bird bath under one of our pines. You can almost always see one if you dine outside at Rudy's BBQ, too. 

Thanks for visiting your NEW retirement destination, Las Cruces, the City of the Crosses (and Giant Roadrunners).