Desert Beauties

2010-04-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

My mom came to visit last week and we had a blast. We got pedicures, went shopping, sight-seeing, and even did a wine tasting. I wish Dad would have been there too but he couldn't make it this time. So, next time he visits we will have to catch him up on all the fun.

We went to Ruidoso in New Mexico. It is only 2 hrs away from El Paso and you get up into the mountains where there are pine trees and lots of shade. There is even lakes up there which is so nice because El Paso is lacking water to recreate in!

We even saw people catching trout here at this lake.

Mom came at the perfect time. The weather was beautiful, in the 80s and all the cacti were in bloom. They all have different colors that are very vibrant.

On Saturday we went to the market in Las Cruces and then to Mesilla, a little town next to Las Cruces. These two cities are only 30 minutes from El Paso and the markets there are incredible!! We found some pottery to take home that was gorgeous. There is so much to look at it is visual overload, but in a good way.

We ate at La Posta, a famous restaraunt in Mesilla that serves the best Margaritas around. They even have live paraketes that mauk you as you walk by.

New Mexico has a lot of crazy statues and art pieces that depict the culture here.

We went to a little house where a man was selling his salsas. He was from New Mexico and had lots of stories to tell about his relatives. His grandpa even had a run in with Pancho Vialla and was one of the few to survive a run in. Some of the biggest Salsa producers such as pace and La Victoria tried to buy him out but he has resisted and no salsa compares to his recipe!!

Here is a traditional house you will find in New Mexico. I love this style with the front courtyards and adobe design.

Pretty much anywhere you go in New Mexico or El Paso you can find Chiles.

Here we are at a market that sells all kinds of garden statues and wall hangings. Lots of cool stuff!!!

Highway 28 between El Paso and Las Cruces is full of vinyards and winerys. We stopped and did a wine tasting at St. Claires. It was so much fun, but I am glad we had a bite to eat afterwords.

I am so so lucky to have such a great family. I can't wait for mom and dad to come again and visit!!!!!

2010-04-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

Erik and I spent Easter wondering around Downtown El Paso. We went to the art museum and around to all the parks and shops. Check out the picture of the old men in the park.

My favorite was all the men gathered at the park. It seems like everytime we go by this park all the men are gathered at this same spot. They are so cute.

2010-04-12T16:43:00.000-07:00

On our way to California Erik and I stopped to check out Joshua Tree National Park. It was beautiful. We took time to go on an awesome hike and enjoyed a great night of camping, well worth the stop!

2010-04-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

Here are the last photos from our trip to Dana Point to see Joe and the family. We went to a really cool surf beach. Joe had all kinds of cool toys as ussual. Surf boards, stand up boards and such.

Here is their family van, perfect for going to the beach!

To get to the beach we hiked down this cool trail where Sam was pretending to be on the hunt for cougars! He caught a couple of big ones (ie Erik and Joe).

Here is Joe on the Standup board.

He makes it look so easy, but really it is not.

We had such a blast and can't wait to go back and visit them.

2010-03-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

I have been playing with our new video camera at work. I am learning flash and dreamweaver so there is no better way to learn than making videos of my precious nephews!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!

Look at Evan go!!!!! He loves being just like his older brother!

2010-03-26T21:55:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Catherines house. It was awesome, and we loved the saguaro's that were everywhere.

I had to get a family photo because time goes by so fast before we see eachother again. But I am hoping that Cameron and Kim will stay with us this summer when he has his 10 yr reunion in El Paso!

I had to throw one in of Gus, he is the sweetest dog ever.

and the pool..........

and Gus watching out over the pool.

2010-03-25T20:57:00.000-07:00

Right afer I got back from Brownsville Erik and I left for our trip to Southern California! As you can see Sam and Evan are definitely on the move!!! It was so great to Joe, Jenelle and the boys they all seem to be doing terriffic.

On the way to California we stopped in Arizona and saw Catherine, Zack, Cameron and Kim. It was great to see everyone. Cameron and I added up that it had been 12 years since we have seen eachother and I finally got to meet Kim!

2010-03-24T20:43:00.000-07:00

2010-03-24T19:26:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I have a great job! I got to go to Brownsville Texas to do a study on the Rio Grande. South Padre Island is only a skip away from Brownsville so one night after work I went out to the island to check it out. It was the happening place for all of the college kids on spring break. It was crazy to think that El Paso is in the same state as the gulf region because they are completely different places!

This is the bridge that goes out to South Padre.

This picture was taken on the Rio Grande looking into Mexico.

Here I am on the boat ready for a long day on the river.

Here is the boat that we took down the Rio. This is the first time I have been on a boat with a fan on the back.

2010-03-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

Erik and I had a date night and went to the El Paso symphony Orchestra downtown.

El Paso is beautiful at night!

Definitely some funny characters.

2010-03-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

Erik took me to his art show. There was some pretty amazing pieces!

I especially like this one of the beetle.

And last but not least Erik's sculpture.

2010-02-20T11:42:00.000-08:00

As promised I have pictures to show of the Organ Mountains in New Mexico. We hiked to Dripping Springs an area with tons of history including a cave with cliff drawings.

As you can see there was even a bit of snow.

Here is the Dripping Spring. I know not all that impressive of a drip. I would say more of a trickle.

Here is an old ranch house where cattle men would stay when they would bring their herds here for water and grazing.

For valentines day Erik and I went to Cloudcroft to ski for the day. It was so nice to be on the slopes again! Erik is carving it up.

It was a busy week at work. We went to a headstart school here in El Paso and we got to teach the water cycle to the cutest 2-4 year olds. It made me think of Sam and Evan!

As you can tell there were a lot of kids!

2010-01-23T13:11:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Erik and I went exploring at the Mesilla Valley Wetlands Bosque in New Mexico. It's only about a 20 minute drive from El Paso. The Organ mountains provide the backdrop. They are truely spectacular, like nothing I have ever seen!!!

Here is a trail lined with mesquite limbs.

Look at the mountains and their jags.

Here is a small pond that is great habitat to the migratory birds.

Tomorrow we are doing another hike in the Organ Mountains.....stay tuned.

2010-01-23T12:53:00.000-08:00

It was a very snowy Christmas in Idaho!!! I must say quite a change from the El Paso weather we have come accustomed to. I must say the cabin looked wonderful! Thanks mom and Dad for all your hard work!

Look at Jenelle's awesome creation!

Thanks Jen and Krista for the amazing time in the Yurt.
I had to throw in a picture of the jon.

It is pretty much a wilderness retreat!!!

And more and more snow......

There is even a cabin that the 7 dwarfs would have been proud of!!

Here is a view of the yurt, look at the deck, just don't have to much to drink and hang out near the edge, its quite a drop.

And Sam even got to wear his skis again!

2009-10-03T20:34:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-10-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-09-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2009-08-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-08-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-07-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-07-03T14:14:00.001-07:00

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!