Stromboli's Rolling Log: Day 31, May 2, 2018. Western TX, Fort Stockton to Las Cruces NM. (via El Paso)

Before we left Fort Stockton, I was determined to see a few of the birds that were abundant there. In spite of the breezy conditions on the southern Plains, the birds loved the trees and water the RV Park had to offer. I got out before sunup and saw many birds .Especially the WESTERN KINGBIRD with its cream collar and bright yellow breast. Many of them were in pairs chasing one another. A similar bird to the Purple Finch is the HARRIS' SPARROW which were common there. An ORCHARD ORIOLE sat in a tree (female) by the trailer. But the best find was last evening in a "walk around" the park. I spotted that "Cardinal looking" bird the PYROLOXIA. It is a cousin of the Cardinal and has an all gray back with a red streak on the middle of the breast. It's topknot is pointed unlike the Cardinal's. That was a first for the trip. So this AM we moved slowly out of the Park but added no new birds.

A few years ago Ruth and I visited a small town called Balmorea. It is a State Park and we stayed there. This is about 7 miles off I-10. .The over flow runs into a nearby lake where the local farmer s and ranchers take out water for irrigation. More than 15 million gallons of water flow through the pool each day, gushing from the San Solomon Springs. The pool which is new, is up to 25 feet deep, covers 1.3 acres, and holds 3.5 million gallons of water. The water temperature stays at 72 to 76 degrees year-round. Since the time we visited, much has changed. There was formerly a small pool that was surrounded by shrubs and bushes and many bird species were found there, Now there is a huge swimming pool and students were coming in buses to visit and swim. No more quiet place in the country. (The old pool is still there but not an attraction anymore, only to "birders".) At present commercial interests are drilling thousands of test wells around the springs. Much investigation is taking place to see what effect , if any, that has on the water sources of the spring That is a lot of water.. Time will tell. Time changes things.

About 10 miles after Balmorea are Saragosa, and Brogado two almost 'invisible' towns that are hidden behind the buttes. At this point in our journey, the winds started to pick up and not quite a head wind but off the south quarter, 20-30 mph.Along with the passing trucks it was definitely two hands on the wheel at all times. Along with the canyons and signs that said "Gusty Wind area" it was "focus" for 150 miles of driving. Notably the mileage went down from a usual 9.0 mpg to about 7.4 mpg. That is what a headwind or sidewind will do to mileage.

The short stop for lunch at a "picnic" area was the location of this beautiful flowered bush that we saw.

The Yellow Bird of Paradise

Those long stamens are magnificent

The Delaware Mountains range (Mentioned yesterday), the Apache and Wylie Mtns. were on both sides of the road. The highest peaks along here are Mt Livermore and Black Mt both over 7,500 ft. and 8,300 feet respectively. There is a wonderful scenic drive around those mountains for a close up view. From Van Horn to Fort Hancock it is about 70 miles and that was where the winds finally quieted down . At that point the road (I-10) runs close to the Rio Grande River and Mexico is just below you across the valley about 7-8 miles. There is much road work in the north end of El Paso, but after that the run into Las Cruces, NM was smooth.

We had no longer set up the trailer and were settling in with "in trailer" things, when the wind picked up considerably. It stayed at about 38 mph for more than two hours and when the sun started to set, it calmed down again. This is normal for Las Cruces with the mountains around bringing the winds down the slopes.

An explanation of the springs at Balmorea, and their value.

The children from Three Rivers TX school, have seen the spring and pool and are heading to change for swimming time.

Some of the mountains near Van Horn, TX

The journey from Fort Stockton was through the open scrub desert and as we approached El Paso ,it was obvious that irrigation was the prime use of water when we saw the green fields of crops down in the valley. Fruits , Tree nuts (pecans and Pistachios) and berries lead the way. (Approaching El Paso from the east it is all down hill for 30-40 miles.)