driving in texas

While driving on the highway between El Paso and Big Bend I saw a ginormous tarantula walking across the road. TWICE!

Just before the universal deluge hit us on the road into Big Bend, jackrabbits attacked the car. Seriously, they were like kamikazis racing toward us. That, or just stupidly sitting in the middle of the road playing chicken with the oncoming traffic. OK, "traffic" might be a stretch since the roads we were on all day were empty enough that we could slam on the breaks with no warning, and stop at the side of the road to take pictures without annoying anyone.
We got up earlyish yesterday and packed up the car. I was thinking we'd take a quick little loop trail to see a view before jumping in the car and driving to a different part of the park. I thought we'd be able to make a series of short hikes to see a lot of the park rather than spending the whole day on one hike. So I thought. We started down what was supposed to be a 1/3 mile loop. After the first mile I realized I had made a mistake. We kept on going, looking for the "window" view, and everyone we met on the trail assured us it was a good hike worth taking. We met a friendly German couple, and a group of rowdy Texans who gave us a bottle of water since we hadn't bothered to bring one. (Because we were only walking .3 mile!) Along the trail we saw ample evidence of the flash floods that accompany big storms, many animal tracks and absolute wreckage around the abundant prickly pear cacti that bore perfectly ripe fruit.


2.6 miles all down-hill later, we had forged streams and slid down rocks and barely managed to get our footing to avoid going over the cliff at the end of the trail. The view was, indeed, worth the hike. And the 2.6 miles UP hill to get back to the car.



Drove back to Marfa through ranch land and the Paisano(?) mountains. Staying in the Thunderbird Hotel because I felt a little guilty staying at the Hotel Paisano (home of the crew of Giant during filming) without Sallie, and because it's nice to see some other places in town. We did have dinner there, though, in Jett's Grill and had fantastic steaks and mashed potatoes with reeeeeeeeally good margaritas. I hate to tell you, Sal, but the restaurant where Hannah threw up on the border patrols is gone! space is still vacant. Maybe that's where I'll open my fried pie shop.