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Saturday - March 28, 2009

Guadalupe Mountains

So, as I mentioned (way back when) I did my best to avoid the Interstate Highway system on my trip to New Mexico last summer. When I got to El Paso, I decided to take State Highway 180 east. It runs (mostly) parallel to (and south of) the New Mexico border until it skirts around the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I'd, frankly, never heard of the Guadalupe Mountains. But, as I was driving along, I couldn't help but be in awe. Here was my first real glimpse of them:

About 15 or 20 minutes later, they really stood out as a backdrop to some sand flats on the north side of the road:

And, after another 15 minutes:

What a difference, eh?

And, after another couple of minutes:

I just couldn't get over how quickly it changed and seemed to be a different mountain after just a few minutes. Very cool.

And, look at this...about 10 minutes further down the road:

Almost impossible to recognize it as the same mountain, doncha think?

A close-up of that southern peak (the Guadalupe Peak):

Very cool. I wanted to wander around once I got to the park headquarters but it was too late in the day. They'd closed at least 30 minutes before I got there. And, I still had to make my way to Ft. Stockton. So, I moseyed on. But, I do want to go back someday and hike around.

Oh. And, about an hour later...in my rear-view mirror:

Posted by Joanna at 11:56 PM

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