Government Shutdown

Woke up this morning in Big Bend National Park in southern Texas only to learn that the park services were suspended due to lack of government funding – we were leaving anyway today, but come on!

We spent four nights at this national park, which rivals Yosemite in my book. That says a lot about the beauty, the expanse, the rock formations, just the sheer magnificence. We canoed down a small section of the Rio Grande, including a visit to St. Elena canyon – a spectacular sight. The Mexican-U.S. border runs down the center of the river and on either side loom imposing rock walls. I couldn’t help thinking about the proposed wall along the Mexican border. Nothing could rival the sheer beauty of the walls of St. Elena canyon –  Mexico and the US jointly manage the millions of acres of natural resources that make this area so special. Can't we all just get along?

While at Big Bend, we kept seeing a van that advertised a business called Forever Resorts. A cemetery, perhaps?

Texas is BIG. The landscape is unforgiving – hundreds of miles of desert, tiny towns with populations of 200 to 2000: Van Horn, Sierra Blanco. And – very little wifi or cell reception.  It is truly another world from that to most of us are accustomed. But everywhere, I am struck by the friendliness, kindness, and generosity of those we meet.  

Tonight in El Paso. Tomorrow onto a state park in New Mexico, as yet undetermined, but our trip down the Rio Grande has whetted our appetite for more canoeing. Guess we’ll have to pass on national parks for now. Too bad.

Thanks for reading.

Tales from Texas

Curlew at Padre Island National Seashore

Hi there,

It’s been awhile since we’ve checked in – had dinner in the French Quarter in New Orleans then camped in a cool spot in Louisiana called Intracoastal Park and watched the tugboats tugging barges filled with crude oil. When we pulled into the empty campground and told the campground host we wanted to stay the night, she looked me up and down and said, “You need a reservation.” So, I made one on the spot. It was somewhat humorous.

We spent four nights at one of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever experienced – Padre Island National Seashore. Miles of empty beach, birds, sunrises over the Gulf Coast. We stayed an extra night just to revel in our first really warm, sunny day. Of course, staying at a beach campground means sand – sand in the food, sand in the clothing, sand in the van – a new meaning for “true grit.”

Now it’s on to Big Bend National Park – but first a stop in Uvalde Texas and then a night at Seminole Canyon National Park. I love the senior discount at the national parks. Makes me proud to be an (old) American!

Yippee yi oh –

t

Ode to Siri

O Serena!
We would be lost without you.

You keep us on the righteous path, paved or not.

When we go astray the fault is ours alone.

We follow your directions as precisely as we can, hoping against hope to avoid those dreaded words:

“Proceed to the route.”

But alas, we err – we, unlike you, are only human, after all.

You are our beacon. Our safety in the storm –

Undaunted by twisting county roads

Your voice is steady; your confidence unwavering.

“In one mile, take a slight left turn.”

We, your humble servants do our best to obey, for we seek

only your praise – that one word signifying everything:

“Arrived.”

Gratefully,

Jeff and Tina