Old El Paso

In mid-August we took our first family vacation (if you don't count our numerous trips to Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia). We boarded a plan and headed to El Paso, Texas to visit my friend Candis and her family. Miles did great on the airplane considering we were told the day before that he had a double-ear infection.

We spent our first two days in El Paso relaxing. Both Mike and I needed a break and their pool was just the thing. We felt like we were in an all-inclusive resort – amazing food (Candis and Lyndon are fantastic cooks), great company, ice cold beverages and, Miles' favorite, a pool!  We did dry off for a little bit to take a walk around the neighborhood and play lawn darts.

One evening we drove to an overlook in the mountains where we could see the Mexico border and Juarez just beyond it so Mike could see the "fence." Years ago I had gone to El Paso with Candis to help with a yearbook workshop she held for her schools. While we were there, we went to Juarez with a few of the yearbook advisers for dinner. It amazes me that this city I was in not too long ago is now the murder capital of the world and it's just beyond our "walls" and sits next to what is considered the safest big city in America.

And, before I forget, Mike ran the 2nd Annual Stephanie Olivo Memorial 5K with Lyndon and Amanda (Candis and Lyndon's oldest daughter). Mike and Lyndon finished in 26:31. Not too bad since neither one of them had planned on running that weekend or had trained for it.