One Photo # 67, What dat is?

Even in the Big Bend driving can occasionally get a little mindless.  The vistas and the sunsets blend into a pace of life and in some ways you just get used to the beauty.  I can hear you urban warriors groaning "whatever".  The drive to Alpine from Terlingua is about 80 miles and it cuts through some great big Texas size ranches.  We are talking big.  800 gillion god billion acres is not uncommon.  A big chunk of the drive is through the O2 Ranch.  The O2 is one of the big boys but they are doing some cool things.  Like zero grazing in places so the natural plant life can return.  Wildlife conservation of all kinds and they are even introducing some foreign visitors.  No worries these guys are now naturalized citizens.  The Scimitar-Horned Oryx can be seen every once in awhile from the road.  The herd numbers a hundred or more and somehow this dude is on the wrong side of the highway.  It's funny to watch the cars skid off the highway when they spot this thing.  "Martha, that an elk"?  Martha wipes out her Big Bend Wildlife Guide that Reba gave her and makes a frantic search.  Flustered and confused, Martha says, "well it sure is...a big one". 

One Photo # 66, Dangerous

No chained pit bulls here.  Motion sensors....leave them out.  Maybe a pungi pit or two?  I'm not saying.  All I can say is "Dangerous" and you are being watched of course.  I mean I wouldn't want some intruder to get hurt now would I?  So, they have been warned.  I know it scared me when I first saw the sign.  

One Photo # 65, Terlingua Crab Cakes

The hot plate gourmet threw down some creative culinary jive this evening with Terlingua Crab Cakes.  Now these crabs are not the ones you used to get?...These are the little angels came from the oriental market in the "City", not from the Rio Grande.  In a fit of crazed cookery, this dish was infused with some Terlingua fare.  Roasted tortilla flakes, Habanero peppers, Big Bend Honey, and a far coating of dust.  (I had the windows open).  The real kick in the pants was the sauce.  Now, I can't really divulge the complete culinary chemistry on this one.  I'm sure you will understand.  Let's just say...no Junior League  cook book plagiarism here.  That stuff was not for the faint hearted.  Peppers, some mayo, some wasabi salt, goose grease and few cactus spines.  Stay tuned for another episode of the Hot Plate Gourmet....now pass the antacids.  

One Photo # 64, Polaroid Good-Bye

Not enough said about sad good-byes.  The Captain is going again for a few months...We all hail the chief.  Waiting for your return and the next chapter.   God speed and low gas prices.... Amigos des Terlingua.

One Photo # 63, Bagophilia

Like many of us, you know something is wrong.  At first you observe it but do not worry.  Then you worry but do not do anything.  Afterwards, you become obsessed but then wall the affliction off with denial.  The same said story has come to pass with me too.  I have never been officially diagnosed with Bagophilia but it's obvious I am a victim.  17 packages of Zip Locks speaks volumes on how terrible this curse can be.  Maybe deep down I'm afraid the plastics industry will fold or the EPA will shut them down.  The thought of going back to saran wrap keeps me awake.  Well, today I am starting down the road to recovery.  I bought washable containers.  No small feat for a Bagophiliac.  Sure I will still use up the ones I have...oh lord no.. and save the super duty sliding freezer bags for those "special moments".  Come out of the closet I say.  Join me in finding a clean reusable future.  Maybe someday we will be in the movement that brings back the returnable coke bottle.  

One Photo # 62, That Ranger Thang

It's official.  I will be EMS Rangering in Yellowstone National Park this summer.  My playground will be the Canyon District and the Hayden Valley.  The area has the Hayden, Yellowstone Falls, the Geyser Basin, Mt Washburn and lots of stuff.  A great bunch of folks sound like they are coming back from my adventures there two years ago.  Will miss the head gunslinger however...TT.  Still excited to get my bison and bear groove on.  If you have never been, you really should take a look.  Be sure to look me up....everyone knows the number ..911.  Bring a dry chard and a Chinese Phrase book.  

One Photo # 61, Check Point

It's 80 miles from Terlingua to Alpine.  A gorgeous piece of road that encompasses just about everything that feels Texas.  Open highway that stretches to the purple horizon, windy switchbacks on rocky mountain roads.  Horses, goats, and deer painted in a backdrop of endless landscape.  It just feels Texas.  Then 14 miles South of Alpine you come up on something so out of place it jolts the road high right out of you.   The U.S. Border Patrol Hwy. 118 Check Point.  Dozens of cameras and sensors line the drive into the structure.  Men and women with guns and dogs quickly shuffle out to meet each vehicle.  The "Talker" always is polite and says, " good afternoon...US citizen?" A yes will get you waved on as long as "butch" the super nose canine approves.   No matter what you think of the politics, these dudes are doing a hard and dangerous job.  I'm not asking for your "thumbs up" on border immigration.  Just an respectful understanding of people doing a hard job.  There are stories to be told in border communities that most would not believe.  It's all about respect no matter which side of this check point you end up on.