Day 5 = Still in El Paso

At this point, we know we will be in El Paso until at least Thursday night.  That will be four days out of our trip spent were we were not planning to be. 

Last night, I looked up places to see in El Paso and found a few hiking spots.  We had planned to hike in Sedona so why not hike in El Paso instead?  The scenery is different but it's still hiking and exploring where we all have not been before.  After eating at Corner Bakery (Collin learned how yummy warmed up cinnamon rolls are), we packed up the Jeep and headed to the Franklin Mountains.  Once there, the park Ranger told us of trails that would be better for Collin so we got back in the Jeep and ended up at Tom Mays Unit on the other side of the Franklin mountains. 

We spent over two hours hiking the Aztec Caves trail which was a 1.6 mile (round trip) moderate hiking trail that ended at some caves.  The hike was rocky and very steep at times.  Collin did great!  He did want to stop and sit on all of the benches as we went up and then back down the trail.  We rested once we were at the caves.  It was really cool and quiet so it was perfect to take a little break before heading back down. 

Collin in front of a bunch of yucca plants

Not sure why, but I really like the yucca plants

Taking a break

"Mom, I saw this bench and wanted to sit for a while"  He sat for less than a minutes and took off up the trail.

The cave from a distance.  It did feel like it took longer to get to it than it did to get back to the car.

Dad at the main entrance of the cave

Collin standing to the left side

Collin and I checking out the other side of the cave

After close to 1 1/2 hours of hiking, he still has a great smile

Dad wanted a Facebook Selfie

What we are also learning is El Paso is such much bigger than we thought.  Both Dad and I have only driven through on our way to and from places.  If we stopped, it was only to get gas.  It's much more than what you see around the highway.  There is even a new, cleaner part of the city on the other side of the mountains.  We are at least making the most of our time here.  Let's hope the RV is ready to go tomorrow around 5pm.