Wyler Aerial Tramway

 El Paso, Texas

March 27, 2009

Our day in El Paso actually started out in Houston. We had a connecting flight in Houston that we missed because our plane circled Houston for almost two hours. It was very late, Kellisa was passed out in her wheelchair and we learned that the next flight was in the morning. After a short night at a hotel, we were on our way to El Paso.

We arrived around noon and enjoyed some authentic Mexican food. Then it was off to the Wyler Aerial Tramway in Franklin Mountains State Park. We learned a couple of years ago while on vacation in Gatlinburg, TN that Kellisa loves trams and ski lifts.

The tramway is a four minute, 2,600 foot ride up Ranger Peak (5,632 feet above sea level) on a 1 3/8 inch diameter steel cable suspended 240 feet above the mountain walls.

Kellisa enjoyed the ride as it was bumpy, which to her, is more important than the views. The tram was small and driven by a Park Ranger who narrates the ride.

Below is the view from the summit looking out over El Paso, the Rio Grande River and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. 

Kellisa wheeling around the cold, windy, accessible summit platform. 

As one tram goes up, the other heads down the mountain. They slow as they pass to limit the bumps.

GONDOLAS, LIFTS, & TRAMS

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A Day in El Paso

El Paso
Texas

March 27, 2009

We landed in El Paso around noon after spending an unexpected night in Houston because we missed our connecting flight due to bad weather which caused us to circle above the Bayou City for two hours. After gathering our baggage and selecting the rental car, we found a great Mexican establishment for much needed refueling before an afternoon of fun. 

After lunch, we headed to the Wyler Aerial Tramway in Franklin Mountains State Park. While on vacation in Gatlinburg, TN a couple of years prior, we learned how much Kellisa loves ski lifts and trams. 

Franklin Mountains State Park

Franklin Mountains State Park

Texas

March 2012

We spent a day pushiking in the Franklin Mountains. The sandy, desert terrain was a perfect location to train for our Bataan Memorial Death March attempt 5 days later. We also used the time to be interviewed, photographed and videoed by the El Paso Times. The article and pictures were a front page feature on Friday, March  23, 2012.

Kellisa didn't mind that the nature trail was too narrow because it meant for a bumpier ride over the large rocks lining the edge of the trail:

The view into New Mexico beyond the Franklin Mountains:

Aztec Caves (in the shadows, center-left):

Hiking to Sneed's Cory:

Looking over the desert into New Mexico:

While scouting the trails, we made a new friend- Had Robinson of El Paso Paragliding. With his vast knowledge of the area, he was able to recommend some trails for us to try. According to Had, the Franklin Mountains are a  premiere location for paragliding. I couldn't help but to inquire about the possibility of Kellisa paragliding. Since Kellisa has a passion for wild adventures and thrill rides, I know she would absolutely love paragliding. The sport is almost ready for a disabled child to ride tandem up to 10,000ft. above the desert and mountains. This gives me some time to figure out how to ask Lisa if I can take Kellisa paragliding.