Plan to Go to Ardovino's Holiday Market Sunday, December 3rd

One of the top holiday "must-do's" is Ardovino's Holiday Market. Because of all of the road work, follow these new directions to get to Ardovino's Desert Crossing:

Take Sunland Park Drive to Mc Nutt. Turn left onto McNutt and then right at the light at Anapra Road. The other option is to take Sunland Park to Futurity. Futurity ends at Racetrack and you will have to take a right. (Racetrack is only closed between Futurity and Doniphan.) MAP

Be sure to visit the ADC website.

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Calling ALL Artists!

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You can also go to https://www.ardovinos.com/com/.

2016 Artistic Celebration of Our Mountains this Thursday

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Dino Hike June 21

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Read Kappus Abstract about Middle Cretaceous Dinosaur tracks.

Read 2003 paper on dinosaur tracksite by Kappus and Cornell. (Really just Kappus)

Ardovino's Desert Crossing

May the Desert Flourish Where Your Footsteps Walked

An estimated 200 people packed into the Mecca Lounge of Ardovino's Desert Crossing yesterday to pay tribute to Kevin Von Finger. El Paso Preservationist, Bernie Sargent (known for his love of six guns and shady ladies), created a video tribute and "emceed" the event. Kevin's brother, Mark Finger of Chicago, greeted and thanked people for coming. Eddie Holland, a band member of The San Patricios, mused that a drone strike would have wiped out much of of the El Paso region's environmental activists. Kevin Bixby's tribute to Kevin in the Southwest Environmental Center's news says why Kevin was such a conservation champion - sui generis really.

Here are pictures from the event courtesy of Fred Eiland:

Bernie Sargent sets up the video tribute.

Jennifer Barr Ardovino eulogizes Kevin.

 A toast to Kevin

Mark Finger, Kevin's brother - center, visits with John Walton, r, and Maggie and John Moses

 Henry Drake and Marina Ardovino

 Robert Ardovino, left, makes a point with Jamie Ackerman.

Visiting and remembering 

Ardovino's always has excellent, beautiful service.

And this tribute from Bernie Sargent:

Tin Mines Hike September 22 at 7:30 a.m.

Entrance to Tin Mines

Tomorrow morning, Saturday, September 22 plan to hike to the only Tin Mines ever in the United States. They are located in the northeast Franklins. The hike begins at 7:30 a.m. Meet in the parking lot of Chuck Heinrich Park. (Map)  Just turn off MLK onto Jon Cunningham which dead ends into the parking lot.  This really is an easy hike with an elevation gain of only 935 feet. I'm rating it moderate because it is 6.5 miles round trip and takes about 4 hours. The trail is good. The short climb to the mine entrance is a short scramble.

I'm excited to see so many hikers have signed up for this hike at the El Paso Hiking Meetup site. This is a great hike and definitely one everyone should do not just for recreation but for learning something about the geology and mining history of El Paso. Remember, we will be in the State Park. There's a $5 per person fee which I'll collect upfront. If you have a State Park Pass, please just write down the name and number on the pass and give it to me. This way we can expedite entrance fees and not spend more time than necessary at the Iron Ranger pay station. If you bring your dog, please be sure the dog is on a leash. This is so critical as there is always the possibility of running into rattling reptiles!

Be sure to bring plenty of water (2 liters at least and more for your dog) and a hardy snack. (Hobbits will need elevensies as well as second breakfast.) Wear sturdy hiking shoes/boots. Bring a flashlight. You will be able to walk into the mines - but you will need illumination.

Hike BEGINS at 7:30 not 7:35 or 7:40. Please be prompt. You can contact me at this email address or at 915-525-7364.

The El Paso Tin Mining and Smelting Company operated in the northeast Franklins from 1909 until 1915 when it was shut down for lack of productive ore.  The principal mineral was cassiterite.  UTEP’s Art Harris wrote: What most of us don't know is that cassiterite, the major ore of tin, is rare in the United States and Mexico, and we are reliant on sources in Malaya, Bolivia, Indonesia, Zaire, Thailand, and Nigeria.  One of the few sources in the United States was located in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, on the eastern side of the Franklin Mountains. These tin mines were founded in 1909 and worked until 1915. However, during this time span, only 160 100-pound pigs of tin were recovered [a “pig” is a smelted block of the crude metal], and the mines were abandoned as uneconomical. At least 27 shafts and trenches were dug. Today, these lie within the Franklin Mountains State Park, presented to visitors as part of our regional history.”

If you are really interested in the history and geology of the Tin Mines, there is a very informative 1901 publication by the U.S. Geological Survey that you can read online.

Know that, while we are on the trail, autumn will begin.  Fall for 2012 begins in the Northern Hemisphere at 8:49 a.m. our time. You might want to check out a future hike to Devil’s Hall in the Guadalupe Mountains. We always schedule that for Celebration of Our Mountains to coincide with the brilliant fall colors of the leaves.

The 12^th Annual Artistic Celebration of Our Mountains begins next Thursday evening with a reception at 6 p.m. at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing.

There are so many great, organized hikes now. Just check out El Paso Hiking Group, Guadalupe Mountains National Park Meetup Group,  Las Cruces & El Paso Adventurists, Celebration of Our Mountains and Peak Fitness Challenge – just to begin with.  And Scenic Drive is open to all hikers, bicyclists, walkers, strollers (with attached parent), even Chihuahuas (with attached human) every Sunday from 6 to 11 a.m. even though the road is currently closed to all motorists until September 29^th for roadway improvements.

Excelsior!

Jim H. Tolbert

Publisher, Elpasonaturally and the El Paso Hiker

Leading the way for sustainable living in the El Paso Southwest

jimhtolbert@elp.rr.com
www.elpasonaturally.blogspot.com

Get your friends and family outdoors in this beautiful part of the Chihuahuan Desert. Forward this message to them and suggest that they subscribe.

This email message is written and published by Jim Tolbert who takes sole responsibility for the content of the letter. To subscribe or unsubscribe, just reply to jimhtolbert@elp.rr.com and say “Unsubscribe Hikers”.

"A million tax-free dollars would probably tempt me to divulge your email address.

However, know that your privacy is safe with me . . . Nobody has offered me the million yet.”

The El Paso Hiker E-Letter Volume 2, No. 25, September 21, 2012

Reality Show and a Beginners Hike

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Okay male El Paso Hikers (Bicyclers, Mountain Bikers, Climbers, Etc.) here’s an opportunity to be part of a new competitive reality series. Janet Martinez, a Casting Assistant with Real People Casting, Inc., contacted moi (of course) to help get the word out about the casting that they are doing for a new series tentatively called Bounty.  Janet told me that “from now until June 15th, we will be conducting a nationwide search for men in their 20's and 30's, and I think El Paso Hiker could be a great resource to scout for our series. I was hoping you could help get the word out by forwarding this email to members of your organization. The grand prize for the winner of this competition will be $100,000!”  You can learn more here.

If you are interested, email your contact info and 2 recent photos of yourself to ocbountycasting@gmail.com or feel free to call 818-762-6199. This seems to be a legitimate offer but do your own due diligence before signing on any dotted line.

This has nothing to do with hiking, walking , birding or biking.  However, we all need to eat so why not eat fresh farm food.  It’s Farmers Market time again at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing. Opening day is tomorrow, May 26, 2012. The market will be open every Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. until Noon through mid-October. You might consider taking an ice chest to keep food fresh while you eat brunch. It’s the best brunch menu this side of the Atlantic and just an easy drive across the mighty Rio Grande in a spot nestled on the other side of Mount Cristo Rey.

On Saturday, June 9^th, there will be a beginners hike at 7 a.m. We will do the Upper Sunset Trail at the Tom Mays Unit of the FMSP the easy way. Meet at the gate to the Park (map). We will take some cars to the parking lot at the end of the trail and ride together to the north end, top of the trail. This really is a beginners hike with a good trail, not a great elevation gain. It is only a 1.5 mile hike one-way in the easy direction. We will plan to do the Upper Sunset from south to north another time. But for now this is perfect for those of you who have been wanting a beginning hike on a weekend. Also, this will give us all time to get to Ardovino’s Farmers Market for a brunch or a breakfast burrito. Remember your canvas shopping bags for your vegetables, herbs, eggs and such.

Do check out the June schedule of hikes in the Franklin Mountains State Park.

Also see the upcoming hikes posted at El Paso Hiking Group including a cherry-picking hike to La Luz and Cloudcroft tomorrow morning and an evening sunset on the ridge hike this coming Wednesday led by veteran hiker, Karl Putnam.

The Las Cruces hiking meet-up group are planning an excursion to Baylor Pass and possibly a moonlight hike at White Sands – both on June 3.

Finally, if you use a smart phone, check out some geocaching apps. They’re a good way to get started and will work around our area. The only downside is that they won’t work in areas where you can’t get phone service. Mountain Bikers can now do a geocache virtual race. Check it out at GeoBetty.  Another great app for Androids is Google Sky Map. If you are ever out at night and want to know what you are seeing in the night sky, this is a great app. I’m not sure that it will identify ET but it can tell you that you are looking at Venus or Jupiter, Regulus, Vega or Arcturus and name the constellations.

7th Annual Holiday Market at Ardovino's Desert Crossing

Talk about buying locally! The 7th Annual Holiday Market at Ardovino's Desert Crossing will be held Sunday, December 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is their largest event ever with over 70 vendors from their Farmers Market plus guest artisans selling a variety of handmade gifts and crafts. Check out the new A1 private party room with a special Champagne tasting plus free cider. Enjoy brunch in the restaurant starting at 10 a.m. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m. For more information please call 575-589-0653. (Map and driving directions)

Buy Locally for the Holidays

Elpasonaturally likes the idea of buying from local businesses for the holiday shopping . . . and beyond the holidays shopping. You can read the message that has gone viral that encourages American consumers to buy locally. As those on the Frontera, we can also consider products from Juarez and Chihuahua as being local as well. So, as we approach “Black Friday” and the holiday insanity, here are some thoughts.

Last e-letter, I recommended that you get a copy of the El Paso Scene or visit it online. See their list of bazaars and fairs on their Round-Up page. Also get a list of local El Paso businesses at Homegrown El Paso and check out Craig’s List for El Paso. Check out Small Business Saturday on Facebook. Here are some more specific suggestions:

Go to Jackson Polk’s www.elpasogold.com for history and heritage DVDs about El Paso. They ship anywhere and they have 13 different DVD titles – all about El Paso. You can buy them online or at about fifty El Paso and Southern New Mexico stores and gift shops. Jackson’s new "Ghost Stories of El Paso Vol.3" will be available starting this Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m., Nov. 26, 2011, at the DVD release party at the El Paso Main Library downtown, 502 N. Oregon. You can see the program for free in the library auditorium. (Map)

Our friends, Bobby and Lee Byrd, are the owners of Cinco Puntos Press. They publish books for all ages including a new one by daughter and City Representative, Susie Byrd, and candidate for U.S. Congress, Beto O’Rourke. Their book, Dealing Death and Drugs, was the subject of an EP Times story yesterday.

Check out Cactus Mary Soap. Mary Fountaine makes her all natural, cold process soaps by hand in Central El Paso. You can buy from her online as well.

Many of you who read the El Paso Hiker and who like to hike, run, walk or marathon will appreciate El Pasoan Dr. David Williams’ web site with a cyber store – the Runnin’ Bunion.

Buy gift certificates from your favorite restaurants such as El Paso eatery icons: Kiki’s and House of Pizza. Ardovino’s Desert Crossing is not just fine dining but owners, Marina and Robert Ardovino, strive to bring locally produced foods and beverages to your table.

Support your local artists and shop at the Downtown Art Market this Saturday November 26, 2011 from 9 to 1 in the Union Plaza District.

This e-letter and elpasonaturally will post suggestions for great local holiday buys. If you or someone you know has goodies that make great presents, please let me know. Keep checking elpasonaturally for local shopping suggestions.

10th Anual Celebration of Our Mountains Art Exhibit

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Ardovino's Begins the 9th Annual Farmers Market

A steady stream of patrons enters the market or heads to the new brunch

The 9th Annual Farmers Market at Ardovino's Desert Crossing began today with good weather and a steady stream of crowds of people. The usual suspects were there: the Texas Master Gardeners, Watson Gardens, Cactus Mary's, Mysterious Horizon Farms and many other food, craft and art vendors.

Brent Pearson was selling trees from his farm: Mexican Plums, Chinese Pistache and other native and adapted species.

The Master Gardeners had huge squash. I asked Joe Faulkner what they were feeding the squash and he just chuckled, "Steer manure."

"Cactus" Mary Fountaine introduced me to her Desert Rain (Chaparral) and Desert Botanical (Tea Tree Oil and Patchouli) soaps.

Marcia Dowdy's cinnamon rolls probably won't last the day at our home. Watson Farms asparagus are on our dinner menu.

Robert Ardovino helps serve freshly made pastries and coffee at the CoffeeStream Trailer

The restaurant now offers a Saturday brunch that begins at 9 a.m. as part of Ardovino's new schedule. The line was also long at the CoffeeStream Trailer.

It was good to see friends and familiar faces. Besides being the farmers market of the region, Ardovino's is a social scene - a social phenomenon.

Taste of Frontera Benefits Land Conservation

I urge you to support Frontera Land Alliance. It protects in perpetuity a network of lands that are chosen for their natural beauty, conservational utility, and cultural values throughout West Texas and Southern New Mexico. Frontera cooperates with landowners, donors, government agencies and other organizations to conserve the region’s deserts, mountains, arroyos, canyons and rivers for all. Frontera, the El Paso area’s only 501(c)3 land trust, is a member of the national Land Trust Alliance, and subscribes to the LTA’s Standards and Practices for Land Trusts which set forth a legally and ethically sound program of natural resources transactions and stewardship.

Frontera helped preserve Resler Canyon and today manages the Wakeem/Teschner Nature Preserve. Through a conservation easement, Frontera has taken on the responsibility of conserving Thunder Canyon. Under the leadership of our fellow hiker and a Master Naturalist, Judy Ackerman, Frontera is on its way to preserving Castner Range as open space land.

The Frontera Land Alliance’s second annual gala fundraiser, Taste of Frontera, will be held on Thursday, February 18, 2010 starting at 6:00 pm. at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing in Sunland Park, New Mexico.

This year’s Taste of Frontera promises to be a memorable event with local wines, tasty foods, live music, and a plethora of silent auction items and door prizes. Proceeds from the fundraiser support conservation and restoration of critically important natural land resources in the El Paso region. Congressmen Silvestre Reyes will be the special guest that evening.

Tickets cost $40 per person and will be available at the door. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 526 7725 or 490 8601. For more information about The Frontera Land Alliance, go to their website at www.fronteralandalliance.org.