We are away from Paisano by 9am, heading to Santa Elena canyon, which was cut by the action of the Rio Grande River. Arrived at park gate at 0930 and at the canyon by 1040. Up 2000 ft, down 2000 ft over some stomach-clenching downhill grades. We hiked into the canyon about a mile, crossing the Rio Grande river at the entrance to get to the path. Up big hiking switchback, down the other side. Finally, into the shade and on the flat. Saw mama/ baby mountain goat on the way in, but they were gone on the way back. At lands end/ end of the trail, we saw canoers floating downstream. Where they were the river was so shallow their paddles touched bottom at two-foot depth. Hiked back across the switchback. Saw cave swallows on the far bank at the entrance. The wind picked up, stinging Jim’s eyes, so we got back in the RV and left. The trip back across the mountains was not as bad, as the RV was climbing instead of descending. Extremely windy at camp.
