My Mini Vacay

The past two weeks have been a window of "opportunity leave" for our battalion. Since I took two weeks of leave in May when Malu was here and I intend to take some leave next month when he returns (and I've already confirmed that this is okay with my boss--he'd better keep his word!), I opted just to take a 4-day pass over the weekend. I didn't want to fly back home to Colorado Springs and I sure as heck wasn't going to drive, so I made it a point to stay busy the entire weekend. I'd previously read a magazine on El Paso and the surrounding areas and found some places of interest to visit! It's amazing how much you find when you actually take a moment to go and look. My first stop--Hueco Tanks State Historic Site. Hueco is Spanish for hollows and refers to the many water-holding depressions or pools that are found throughout the grounds, which are considered sacred to many Native Americans. The place is considered the premier spot for bouldering (which, I've learned, is rock climbing at heights low enough where ropes aren't necessary) and is inundated with hikers and climbers even on the hottest of El Paso days--which is precisely what Friday was. I had a guided tour of the grounds and it was quite a workout! If you're in the El Paso area and haven't checked this place out yet, you must! It's absolutely gorgeous. Those pools are full of interesting little creatures, the workout is awesome, and the view from the top is fantastic!

The first "hueco" I ran into. There were so many mosquitoes in there, I was eaten alive!

The guide was able to take a picture of me nestled into the rock...I had to hold on tight!

One of the bigger "huecos" that I ran into...and it was the highest one I'd reached

I climbed/hiked as high as I could go on that scorching hot morning. Scary!

Yesterday, my friend and co-worker, Jennifer, took me to her grandmother's church--the historic Ysleta Mission Church--for it's annual festival, complete with FOOD, live entertainment (including music and traditional dances), rides and other family fun events. I've noticed tons of church festivals around El Paso, but Jennifer insists this is the most popular as the Ysleta Mission Church is the most historic in the city. To learn more about the Ysleta Mission, click here. After sunset and the temperature cooled off, I had to agree that she was right. Flocks of people poured into the church area and the place was bumping--music and all--until the late evening. We got more than our fair share of festival food--roasted corn, gorditas, funnel cakes, aguas frescas--DELICIOUS! It was a blast. One of the highlights of my day and my new-found love....Jenn's son, Dominic. He is pictured below and is an absolute doll!

Our favorite part of the festival...the FOOD!

Children performing traditional dances in front of the Ysleta Mission Church

More Dancers

Love the Dresses!

This is the new love of my life--Jenn's son, Dominic

Lexi, Jenn, Jenn's Cousin and I at the Festival

Today, on the last day of my 4-day, I decided to take a short trip to Old Mesilla, New Mexico (see above), which is almost an hour west of El Paso. Mesilla, or "Little Tableland" is the most visited community in Southern New Mexico and is perhaps most well-known for hosting the trial of Billy the Kid, the infamous 19th century American Frontier outlaw. Many of the town's original, traditional adobe structures still stand today, although they have been restored and modified throughout the years due to technology and style. The charm and "hearty folk" qualities of the town, however, still remain. All my close family and friends know that I absolutely love old, historic towns and shopping for trinkets and souvenirs. Old Mesilla did not disappoint, as I left with a few bottles of locally produced wine and Mexican-style potteries.

Old Mesilla Village Square

Beautiful Handmade Rugs

The Building that Housed the Trial of Billy the Kid

A fountain in one of the town's most popular restaurants--love the tile designs!

Unfortunately, it is the end of my four-day mini vacation and I am absolutely dreading going to work. With our impending deployment, we are getting increasingly busy and within the next few weeks, we will go to the field and then head out to Fort Irwin to spend some time at the National Training Center. We will be there for the entire month of September. Thus, we will not be having any free time for a while. But it was fun while it lasted!

Just a request...on July 10, my father-in-law was admitted into the hospital in American Samoa for what all of us in the States thought was a heart attack. Instead, he experienced chest and back spasms and was sent to the hospital. He was said to have an aneurism and is currently functioning on one kidney. He is projected to be flown to Hawaii for surgery once his blood pressure decreases. I ask for your prayers for him and his entire family; especially Malu, who is still trying to get through the end of his deployment with all of this on his mind. Thanks to everyone for your continued love and support! Oh, and maybe my one-entry-a-week was a little bit over-zealous of me. Thanks to everyone who took the time to actually send me reminders. Even my co-worker, Amanda, was so kind enough to tell me that I was slacking...and didn't even know that she followed my blog! Craziness. I do thank her for the kick in the butt, though. I guess what I'm saying is....I'll blog when I can. I hope everyone has a blessed week!