These are the final pics from Wednesdays travel day.
We drove 461 kms from a rest stop just past Wickett, Texas to our RV park in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Here was our first peek at El Paso, Texas - population 650,000.
there was lots of road construction in progress, like every other major city we've driven thru
the majority (85%) of the population of El Paso is hispanic
exit to the border crossing into Juarez, Mexico
from the interstate you can clearly see the border wall separating El Paso from Juarez
(every single time I see that wall I feel so lucky to be born in Canada, surrounded by opportunity - it's really all just luck of the draw, isn't it?)
Pictured below is housing on the Mexican side of the border; shanty style houses, huts and trailers, many of them missing windows and doors. There are no vehicles in the pic and I honestly don't know if anyone lives there - but it looks very similar to the hillside housing at the Nogales, Mexico border.
The Juarez Mountains are in the background.
The north end of El Paso is minutes away from the New Mexico state border.
lots of dairy farms along this stretch of I-10
entering our destination city of Las Cruces, New Mexico (population 97,000) - in the background you can see the Organ Mountain Range
It's day two of our rest stop in Las Cruces, and although we really like this part of the USA, JohnnyDisco will be back on the I-10 Friday morning, westbound for Tucson.
But before ending this post, I have to show you what My Fella picked up today at The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso.
When it comes to shoes, he's like the male version of Imelda Marcos.
And now my manly Fella is the proud new owner of the hot pink trimmed golf shoes, pictured above. The size 13 pink PUMA shoes retail for $110 US dollars, but he picked them up at the PUMA outlet store for $5 bucks.
(this would be the perfect time for me to make a smart-alec comment about my guys shoe fetish - but as the owner of twelve identical khaki GAP miniskirts, I'm really in no position to judge)
Hey Dave,
Maybe you can entreat Dad to buy a few pair of shoes, NOT! I like the magenta pair in front of the golf shoes. Welcome back to familiar countryside. We haven't done a blog since before our trip to the Phils. I guess I should get some pics downloaded and sorted out about our journey East.
Posted by: Mave | February 16, 2012 at 08:57 PM
Ok the shoe fetish thing I can understand; BUT the pink trimmed golf shoes? Not so much lol. I guess pink is the new black????
Remember that I have 0% fashionista in me though lol.
Posted by: Brenda | February 16, 2012 at 09:29 PM
Brenda,
My Fella runs the mens night at his golf course and he just wants to give the other guys something to chuckle about... although I think he looks really good in pink.
And $5 for a pair of PUMAS is an unheard of price. We're not doing a lot of shopping this trip, but the outlet mall in El Paso had some of the best deals we've seen so far in the States.
Posted by: kelsi | February 17, 2012 at 05:27 AM
Where is your final destination? We are ranch sitting in McNeal, Az 50 miles south of I-10 -- there is free camping in Whitewater Draw (for 3 nites) -- hope we can see you some time -- be safe!! -- Martha
Posted by: Terry | February 17, 2012 at 07:34 AM
Martha & Terry - we are heading to Tucson to get our annual RV oil change and get hair cuts for the mutts. Not sure of our plans after that but I think we're continuing west.
I saw that pic on your blog of the ranch at night ... what a gorgeous shot - the sky is amazing!
(Speaking of amazing, I still can't believe we have the technology where I can respond to your comment online while travelling 70 miles/hour down the I-10. I LOVE our wireless internet stick!)
Posted by: kelsi | February 17, 2012 at 09:18 AM
Mave,
Just take him with you to the outlet malls that are all around the U.S.A. Or even the Ross stores (my favorite place) and sit him down and make him try on a pair or two. He will find something that he'll really like and are very comfortable for such a good deal he won't be able to say no. Now get to your pictures so we can see what you guys did on your trip.
Posted by: Dave | February 17, 2012 at 02:58 PM
Uhhh... those are not dairies. Those are feed lots where they fatten Bossie up just prior to her becoming a Big Mac.
Posted by: Croft | February 17, 2012 at 04:52 PM
Mexi-Croft,
Really? But why do they have so many signs hanging on the fence saying "Drink More Milk and Eat Cheese"????
I can easily eat my weight in cheese... but two years ago I found out I was vitamin B12 deficient - I don't eat enough meat. Perhaps it's time for a hamberguesa...
Posted by: kelsi | February 17, 2012 at 05:27 PM
Hi there!!
I didn't check on you for a few days and wow!!!! Alabama is way back in the rear-view mirror!
I wanted to thank you for the pictures of El Paso...even if it was from the freeway. I had to do boot camp at Ft Bliss some 43yrs ago and it was interesting to see the changes..I don't plan on visiting again unless heading to see Carlsbad Caverns again.
Anyway I'll be following your trip home..If you return via H/W 97 in Washington and pass the Chelan area give out a honk or a wave!!!
Have Fun!!!!
David Evans
Posted by: David | February 18, 2012 at 07:33 PM
Hi there, David - we didn't make it to Carlsbad Caverns this time, but everyone keeps raving about it and it's on our 'to see' list on a future trip.
And I'll certainly wave when we pass thru the Chelan area!
Posted by: kelsi | February 20, 2012 at 07:23 AM
Those aren't feedlots, you're right Kelsi, they're Holsteins and dairy barns. One of my brothers has a 3000 head feedlot, I worked at a company that ran 30,000 head of cattle/year through their feedlots - that is definitely a dairy operation.
And anemia sucks - eat more beef. Or clams.
Also Carlsbad Caverns is pretty cool.
Posted by: Jacq | February 21, 2012 at 07:33 PM