Chihuahuan Desert (04.09)

After the 2009 Bataan Memorial Death March and a day in Las Cruces, NM, Lisa had to return home to work on taxes. Kellisa and I headed east through the Chihuahuan Desert towards Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We pulled onto the shoulder about 10 minutes after Lisa's flight was scheduled to take-off and saw only one plane in the sky. It was passing directly overhead, which happened to be the same direction as Jacksonville. Lisa later confirmed that her flight left on time, so we are fairly certain that her plane is in the picture bellow:

We were greeted with 55+MPH winds:

Guadalupe Peak 8,749ft. (Highpoint of Texas):


Always the patriot when she sees an American Flag:

Kellisa enjoying the wind with Guadalupe Peak in the background:

Almost hurricane force gusts:

We were planning on camping, but the cold and wind forced us into a hotel that had indoor mini-golf (which Kellisa loved):

The next morning, we entered Carlsbad Caverns:

In front of the "bat cave" where approximately 400,000 bats live during the summer:

Kellisa receiving her Junior Ranger Badge:

Above ground scenery:

The following day we arrived at Big Bend National Park:

Looking into Mexico across the Rio Grande:

Along the drive back to El Paso, we made several scenic stops:

The Davis Mountains: