BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK - TEXAS

 At the end of the Lost Mine Trail; the supreme hike in the park. The switchbacks were remarkable; some of them cut through the granite on the side of the cliff.

 this is the view from the top

 On the ridge leading up to the top which was the definitive end as it plunged thousands of feet down to the Chisos Basin.

 at the top was henry and his dad and henry 'tested' continuously with admonitions from his dad continuously; "don't drop the jerky", "don't go so close to the edge", "don't disturb the people eating lunch" and then the final one "don't throw down that water canteen cuz i won't be able to catch it". well, Henry did of course so the water container fell and fell and fell and the dad tried to catch it and lost his balance and there was a silent rage (well, almost silent rage) response and the dad just walked off and left Henry who sulked and clambered on rocks and annoyed other dads. Quite a scene.

 This was our second hike and the day started out really cold and windy with no sun.

 However, we went all the way down to the Rio Grande and on a trail into Santa Elena Canyon.

 eventually we got sun and the wind died down and it was lovely. Nice to see all that green. this picture was taken close to our lunch spot.

End of the line as the cliffs came right down to the water. There were quite a few kayaks in the water and one canoe. On the other side of the river is Mexico.

RANDOM MUSINGS FROM ON THE ROAD

I went through a real emotional time during the last several weeks. I felt "homeless" and adrift; like i really didn't belong anyplace; i had nowhere to return to; unconnectedness. Cried more than i have in the previous 15 years. That seems to have left now.

I am slowly getting used to checking into new motel rooms and homes (whether its airbnb or a one night stop on the way to a longer stay destination). I'm certainly getting faster putting all my stuff away (books, writing tools, "beauty" and health aids, clothes, coffee fixin's, etc.) though the amount of stuff hasn't decreased yet.

When we were in Big Bend National Park, there was a lady at least my age who was eating an ice cream cone and i was telling her how delicious it looked and how i was waiting for after our first hike before i was going to get one because then i would "deserve" a cone. She said "at my age, i don't need an excuse". and that statement really hit home.

So now that is our mantra: I don't need an excuse!

I even wore white socks with sandals out in public. now alicia wouldn't be seen with me in that garb but we're not in Charlotte yet.

OH and the other thing that i'm becoming aware of is that i get nervous without some plans. during all our discussions about this trip, we wanted to make sure we left spans of time without reservations and without a destination; wandering times. To do or go somewhere that struck our fancy at the moment.

Weeeeeeellllllllll, that ain't workin'. We are not museum people or historical places or zoo folk or organized bus tour go-er's. so both of us like to be in big towns for libraries and book stores and lots of restaurant choices and movie theaters OR a place with lots of hiking opportunities.

So letting our journey be spontaneous and waking up in the morning and saying "where will we go today? where do you want to explore?" (in fact, just typing that is making me anxious) is not for us.

KATHIE AND GREG IN LAS CRUCES, NM

 We took a great hike with kathie and greg in the Tortugas - around A mountain. As you can see the weather was lovely.

Staying with my sister and her husband was a great rest. We were fed royally; awesome egg dish for the morning in addition to homemade cinnamon buns and ham scones. And that was just ONE meal.

 We saw the movie Non-stop which was pretty exciting and the Mexican train game resulted in a tie between the Aspell's and the Lennes's aka the Kingwoods.

And i got to look through the cooking magazines Kathie gets and i left with about 25 recipes for future meals.

thanks Kathie and Greg for a fantastic visit.