Big Bend Day 8 Hiding from the Wind
Wind shook the cabin and clouds covered the sky. It was chilly and we were both reluctant to step outside. About ten the sun came out and we decided to venture out.
We thought perhaps one of the lower elevation hiking trails would be more protected from the wind and so we chose Burro Mesa Spring and Pouroff. Both of us were happy to have hooded jackets and I found my stocking cap and gloves in a back seat pocket.
Quite a few people were on the trail and we chatted with some of them. The distances marked on the maps did not seem consistent with my Fitbit readings..perhaps they were crow miles, not land miles. We did a lot of up and downs and over rocks. The spring was at the bottom of a wash with some sheer drop-offs. We could see footprints there but remembered our agility and aging bones and called it a completed hike.
Our next stop was at the PourOff. This was considered an ‘easy’ hike of a short distance. Again it required some effort on our part to traverse. The pouroff resembles a lava tube and we could hear people on the upper spring trail talking.
A couple from Washington state asked about pinon—and showed us some fruiting bodies==definitely not pinon nuts. Near the pouroff we found several pinon trees with a large quantity of pinon nuts below—it was tempting to run after that couple—but again remembering the status of our feet and legs—we opted to continue on.
By this time it was a little after 2 PM. We wanted a short hike—but not too long as we wanted to be at the Starlight before 5 PM to assure ourselves of a table. Homer Wilson ranch and part of the Dodson Trail seemed like a good option.
This ranch site was abandoned in 1945 but it is stil in excellent condition. The ranch house itself is roomy with a large porch overlooking the canyon below. The foreman’s hose is much smaller. Remains of the corral were visible but we did not find the dipping vat for the sheep.
Terlingua weas packed with people abut we were able to get a table quickly at the Starlight. I had chicken Suate, Glen had the ribeye—and we sampled the antelope strips as an appetizer. The bourbon chocolate pecan pie was as wonderful as the first time.
Home to sort through photos and prepare for our last day here.
Steps today—13,771. Perhaps it was a good thing we did not hike yesterday giving our aging feet and muscles a time to rest.
Sylvia Weir Art 