And the Winners Are . . .

Dave Webster and Carol Culver won our Take the High Road contest.

Dave was the first person to submit the correct answer along with carefully-prepared documentation using Google Earth. The contest was based on a clip from a 1953 Richard Widmark film shot on location here in El Paso. Most contest respondents guessed that the mountains in the background were those along Castner Range up to the beginning of the North Franklins. Of course, Transmountain Road is not in the movie because it wasn't completed until 1970.

Here is the Google Earth picture which Mr. Webster sent elpasonaturally:

Click on image to enlarge.

Dave explains:

"We are looking at the mountains from the east side and the tall peak to the left of Richard Widmark is N. Mt. Franklin. Freeze the clip at 0:52, then compare that to the view in the attachment. To duplicate my impressive result, go to Castner Range in Google Earth and find the point where the Patriot Freeway and Diana intersect. Zero in close to ground level, then tilt the North indicator toward the northeast so the view is looking northwest. Finally, tilt the whole thing sideways to get a street-level view."

Dave was the kid in class who always had his hand up.

Although not first, Carol Culver was the only person who also identified the location of the mountains in the second (tear gas) clip of the movie as those behind Logan Heights. Freeze the clip at 2:20 and compare with the street view that you get by manipulating a map of the intersection of N. Stevens and the 3600 block of Broaddus Avenue looking west toward the mountains.

Carol's husband, Dwight, says that he wants red enchiladas with eggs.

Finally, historian, journalist and Parish Council President of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Michael Lewis, added this note:

"The real basic training site at Fort Bliss is now where Chapin High School and Colin Powell Elementary School are located, part of Fort Bliss' 'Paso del Norte Heights' housing area for senior NCOs."