Tuesday, April 22 Franklin Mountains near El Paso

 Tuesday, April 22

Heading towards El Paso on I-10 the tire sensor light came on.  We did a quick stop at the next tire place where they checked the tires and said that it is just the sensor for that tire that needs replaced.  They would have to search for the part and since the tires seem fine we decide to wait till we're home to do that.

We move into Mountain Time Zone and reach Franklin Mountains State Park early afternoon. 

 The mountains are rather stark and the campground doesn't even have water except at the visitor's center. We picked up our permit and found a site.  They do have picnic tables with shade covers and with the wind still blowing, it is fairly comfortable.  Greg and I agree that we wouldn't want to stay here in the heat of Summer! 

 They have recently re-introduced desert bighorn sheep here and there are a few babies this Spring.  The ranger at the Visitor's Center points out some areas which they frequent, but though we check a couple of times, they are elsewhere during our visit.

 Only a handful of campers here, which suits us well.   The "RV Loop" was laughable - 5 sites with no shelters or toilets even! - so we moved to the tent area, as did another RVer who arrived later.  We relaxed for a while, reading and snacking, then went to walk a nature trail that had a cool bird blind.  Lots of quail, white-winged doves, house finches and others - I think wrens and sparrows.  The park built a rocky formation and added some water and feeders, so lots of birds. Also saw a few squirrels, chipmunks and a rabbit.

Some interesting cactus along the nature trail.  This first one is our favorite! (Rainbow cactus, I think.)

Some flowers always seem to find a way.

The ocotillo are just budding.  I love this one too which has flowers at the end of long thorny stems.  There are tiny leaves when there is enough water, but bare otherwise - like today.

It cooled off nicely as we enjoyed a chicken salad dinner and watched the sun set. Even needed to close the windows and add a blanket tonight as temps fell to the mid 50's.

This view of the city of El Paso was nice.