The Rio Grande runs right through the heart of El Paso. As you can see, it is no wonder that it is called the Rio Grande. El Paso has a nice river walk somewhat like the green belt in Boise, but not quite as extensive. These pictures were from a rivershed cleanup we put together at work.

Here is the path that follows the river.

I have to say this is the coolest job I have ever had! I have gotten to see places that I never would have gone before. One of my favorite parts about this job is the cool special studies that I get to be involved in. Recently I was able to go to Big Bend National Park and look at a Salt Cedar Study. I was lucky enough to go out in the field with the scientists and look at their study sites. I have to say that Big Bend is very cool. I was invited back to do a 5 day river trip down the Rio Grande's wild and scenic stretch in November to do a vegetation study with the park service. It should be very fun.

This is a picture of Liz (My boss from the Clean Rivers Program at the International Boundary and Water commission) and me at the park entrance.

Here is a cool view from inside the park.

The Rio Grande runs through this gourge, you can see how far down the river has cut! The left side is Mexico and the Right side is the US.

Erik and I have been exploring the state parks near El Paso and New Mexico. We found a very cool park called Hueco Tanks. "Hueco" refers to the large basins that are naturally formed in the rocks. These basins fill with water during heavy rains and provide water storage during times of drought. Dating back thousands of years people have cohabited this area because of the water that is available in the huecos. These ancient cultures have left behind tons of rock paintings throughout the park. Cultures ranging from hunters and foragers of thousands of years ago to relatively recent Mescalero Apaches, and Native Americans have drawn strange mythological designs and human and animal figures on the rocks of the area. Not only is this park popular for its prehistoric culture but it also provides excellent rock climbing and hiking opportunities.

We came across some climbers that claimed they come to the park from Arizona every year.

This was on the climb up to see a cave with wall paintings.

As you can see it was a scramble up to the cave.

Finally we reached the cave. To get inside you slither on your belly, but once in there is a little more wiggle room. I was borderline claustrophobic!



This is a view from inside the cave.



And here we have the paintings from over 1800 years ago.



Can you see the guy?

I had to throw one in of the beautiful cactus arrangement.

Everyone loves a lizard!!!

So I have been super busy and bad about posting any new pics. Erik and I went and saw Steve and Tracey in Albuquerque for a night and had a wonderful visit. Erik learned how to make real enchilada sauce from Steve, and Tracey took me shopping at her botique! We decided New Mexico has the best open markets! Unfortunately I forgot my camera and so was not able to post any pics but next time I will take lots.

Every Sunday Erik and I love to do the Rim Road bike ride. El Paso closes off the road until noon and leaves it open for pedestrians and bikers. The view from the top is amazing!

Here Erik and I are enjoying a drink at the top!

This is the best view of our down town. Behind downtown is Juarez. As you can see the two cities are really one big city!

Erik and I have been finding new places to explore right in El Paso. The Billy Rogers Arroyo Park Nature Resereve is a beautiful park that provides trails for hiking and mountain biking.

The trail starts right behind a private tennis club that Erik and I mistakingly thought was public until we were informed that the club membership is $150.00 a month. Whoops! We won't be playing tennis there again!

The trail is great, as long as there is no rain. Because when the monsoons come this is where the water crashes into. You can see places where the water has cut into the landscape during high floods, pretty amazing stuff.

This trail sort of reminds me of the Boise foothills and how lucky we are to have public open space. Boise was extremely wise to protect so much of its foothills.

For the 4th of July Erik and I went to Oliver Lee Memorial State Park in Alamogordo New Mexico. We found a really cool trail called Dog Canyon. It is a rigorous hike that rises over 3,100 feet in 5.5 miles. The trail cut up into the Sacramento Mountains and provided some amazing views into New Mexico and the Chihuahuan Desert. The trail has been used for thousands of years by the Apaches and ranchers becasue of the spring fed stream.

Not only were the views amazng but the hillsides were full of mequite, creosote, ocotillo, agave and prickly pear. Ocotillos are everywhere in the South West.

But.... I have to say that my favorite was this little desert flower.

Well, the southwest has proven to be a very nice place to live. Here are some pictures of our neighborhood and the mountains behind our house. Now you can see what I mean by a great workout.... biking, running, or whatever we please.

The mountains to the south belong to Mexico. This is a picture out our back window looking into Juarez. It is almost like Juarez and El Paso are the same
city. At night we love looking out our window and seeing all of the lights shining in Juarez. Between the sister cities there are around 2.5 million people. Quite a difference between Boise's mere 300,000.

Who ever said that the desert has no color has not stopped to look at all of the vibrancy the desert plants contain. I have never seen so many flowering cacti and spiny plants in my life! Many of the houses have desert shrines full of plants and sculptures. For my artist friends out there, this landscape art was found right in our neighborhood. It is one of our personal favorites!

With nicknames such as: Sun City, Land of the sun, Casa del Sol, El Paso is known for its amazing sunsets and with an elevation of 4,000 feet, you can only imagine the beauty to be found in this amazing mountain scenery.

Missing and loving everyone!