Adventure 106: El Paso, Texas/Post B

Soda Selfie

We decided to turn find out what the First Presbyterians of El Paso were like, and discovered they were much like the First Presbyterians of Spokane. The real treat came after church when we stopped in at Delicious Mexican Eatery as recommended by the Doctor (Valentine). I ordered the Gordita plate and Judy had the Huevos Rancheros. Simply magnificent! We weren't the only after church customers. While we were there, a steady stream came into the restaurant. The interesting thing was that at least four people carried their own soup pot into the restaurant and left with it brimming with Menudo (Tripe Soup). We then decided to drive through downtown and come back to the RV park via the border highway. Downtown looked very much like Mexico. The border crossings were busy, though to my unaccustomed eye, the fence between the two countries appeared less than welcoming. When did America stop being the refuge of the huddled masses? I know things changed after 911, but it seems to me that the America my grandfather came to in 1907 isn't the same as the America of 2014. I didn't feel many warm fuzzes as we cruised along the border. Not only couldn't we see the Rio Grande, all we could see was thirty foot fences, a broad no man's land, and green and white border patrol cars stationed about every mile. It gave me pause because I'm still naive enough to believe in the American dream. After all, I'm living proof, and I don't want to believe that I'm part of the generation that closed the door. One thing for sure, there are more Hispanics in El Paso than there are Anglos, so maybe sheer numbers of immigrants will be a cause for change. Back at the trailer, we readied ourselves to move again tomorrow. Judy did the wash, I cleaned, and we both cheered the Seahawks to victory (They benefitted from both solid play and fortuitous referee decisions). After the game, we decided to eat a WHATABURGER. We've been seeing stores all over Texas, so we had to have one before we left. The chain began in 1950 in Corpus Christi. Now there must be a zillion of them around Texas. The burger was classic, well prepared, quite big, reasonably priced, and hand delivered (Nice touch). On a maintenance note, the low tire light came back on tonight, so before we leave, we'll have to be waiting when Costco opens at ten (More good luck). Hopefully, we'll be on the road around noon. On a tournament note, we're tied in a match of two out of three for the El Paso Open. Tomorrow morning over oatmeal, the issue will be decided. We also made some tentative plans for the next four weeks. We're entering the land of the Snow Birds, so we won't be able to waltz in unannounced. Hopefully, there will be room in the inn. We felt a little like industrious worker squirrels storing nuts away for the winter, only we were storing them from a distance. Anyway, it was a long day at the office, and as you all know, squirrels (Like us) work in branch offices. Yuk! I know, but I also know that life is good, especially today.

 First Presbyterian is a classic fifties church structure that was updated in the eighties.

 I'd eat here regularly if I lived in El Paso.

 The buffet counter at Delicious.

 The Gorditas were fried, but not a bit greasy. The ground beef stuffing  and cheese were delightful, and the amazing green chili salsa put them over the top.

 Th Bunny with her huevos.

 The main border crossing from El Paso to Juarez.

 The fence and non man's land runs for miles.

 And miles.

 Every grave had a bouquet of colorful flowers. I couldn't tell if they were real. They looked plastic from the car.

 Magnificent murals punctuate the area around the border.

 Place your order. They give you a number, and soon your food is delivered.

Living the dream. Ain't America great?