Journaling: I had done research online and knew that one of the hikes that I wanted to do was the Santa Elena Canyon hike. I checked the hiking map book and it was less than 2 miles round trip and marked as easy. We had to backtrack to Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and go to the end of the pavement (another 30+ miles for us today) to get to the trailhead. The road skirts the western slopes of the Chisos Mountains, climbing up to one of the park’s most outstanding views at Sotol Vista, then winding down to parallel the Rio Grande at Castolon Historic District and then ending up at the Santa Elena Canyon trailhead, where the pavement ends.

It was an interesting drive with views of a variety of habitats, geology and had several short walks and interpretive pullovers, including – Old Sam Nail Ranch, Chimneys Trailhead, Blue Creek Ranch, Sotol Vista, Burro Mesa Pour-Off, Tuff Canyon, Castolon Historic District. Unfortunately we were short on time and the temperature was climbing. Although only mid-April, it was starting to feel like summer. We should have figured 2 weeks here at least!


paper - Photo Play, die cuts & chipboard - Simple Stories, stickers - Simple Stories & Paper Studio, ink - Tsukineko/Momento, stamps - CTMH, K&Co, TPC, misc brads from stash

Graphic Design challenge