I did my first trip west in my E and it was great. Drove 500 miles out to Guadalupe Mountains National Park in far west Texas. The E rode great on highway, through the mountains, and was supurb on rough and wet roads. I also averaged 24.6 mpg in an auto 4WD LX mostly at 75mph with AC blasting for those who care.

This was a shakedown trip to see how the E works as a camping trip vehicle and it gets two thumbs up! Plenty of room for camping gear, food, and my entire photography kit (multiple cases, 5 cameras, including large format). I had been unsure about the suicide doors but loved how easy they made to get to the back seat area, much more ease of access than the Escapes I had rented in the past. I also loved the rear clamshell tailgate. It makes for a great place to sit or set gear. Also the top half provides cover from rain, and I got to test that too.

It has plenty of power for mountain roads and charged up the 2000' climb through Guadalupe Pass with confidence and speed. The rough roads also were done with ease, never felt I was pushing the limit of the vehicle.

Very pleased with what it did and cannot wait to get on the road again.

Here are a couple more images

Very nice pics!!! Thanks for sharing these. I just love nice scenery behind an element. PEACE!!! BART

wicked man! nice pix

Great photo's Jedi !! Especially the "blue sky" one. And I thought Texas was flat . . . :grin:

With some modification you could even use the cabana as developing tent :)

paulj

I see a road trip in my future! Awesome pictures!

Sweet pictures man! Beautiful!

Flat? Texas has over twenty mountain ranges. Some go upto 8900' or so. Aspens, Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa, etc. It is just Texas is so big and the parts most people goto are flat. :-)

So even though the Guadalupes are a National Park most people avoid it because it is so far outthere. It really is too hot and ugly so everyone just stay away :-)

Here is one more taken from some salt flats, the mountains rise over 5000' up behind.

Interesting, Jedi, and terrific pics! :)

Very nice pics!
BTW, are they Honda OEM fog lights or ?

Yep, dealer installed OEM foglights. Work nice too. Love my E!

I love the Texas desert. I lived out there for a few years near the Davis mountains. I can't wait to get the E out there. Thanks for the pics!

Yes the Davis Mountains are very nice.

I am hoping to be back out in the trans-Pecos later this fall. I would like to see what the E will do on parts of the River Road in BBNP.

I recently was in BBNP with my new 2005 Element. I was with my wife and our 4 girls. The Old Ore road was impassable to the element due to deep ruts in the road. I was only able to go about 5 miles before the road was too difficult to pass (going south towards north). The west River Road was very passable up to 5 miles. No problems what so ever. My kids did not like the trips on the unimproved road as the Element was probably a bit over loaded and didn't ride as smooth as their city behinds would like. The lack of full time 4 wheel drive did present some challenges going down a few rutted up roads. For most unimproved roads in BBNP an Element probably will not be able to navigate unless the driver is a very experienced off roader. We got the Element to tow behind an RV and expand our hiking experiences. The Element did just fine for those goals. We were able to reach most trailheads and never once got into any trouble (of course we didn't go looking for trouble, either.):cry: I do have a 4x4 Tahoe which I feel would have handled the roads with ease. The lack of full time 4 wheel drive and a lack of granny gear are limits to the Element that one most consider when going over very rough terrain. That said, the Element did fine for most of our needs.

Nice picks. Now I'm jonesing for a road trip

Nice scenery in that park, too.....now I've added another location to my list of "must-see" places!

oooohhhh.... viewfinder 4x5?

Sweet...

West Texas never looked so good!
Glad it was a great trip in the E. Thanks for posting the fabulous pics!

West Texas never looked so good!

True, true! Most of West Texas is far less scenic - unless you have an affinity for pumpjacks, that is...

http://www.2dolphins.com/images/element/landmark1.jpg

To be sure, the Fort Davis area is a nice change of scenery from the flatter and kinda desolate areas of West Texas...

http://www.2dolphins.com/images/element/cabana1.jpg

But we do at least have our own Stonehenge (http://www.2dolphins.com/2005/02/weve-been-presurfed.html).

oooohhhh.... viewfinder 4x5?

Sweet...
Yep, it's a 4x5-an Arca-Swiss. Still love film and a 4x5 chrome is so sweet!

I love west texas too. I was out at BBNP this spring break. made it as far north as the davis mtns, but not up to the guadalupe....maybe next time. I hadn't been since I was a kid...these pics make me want to take another road trip....:cool: