Memories of Mariscal Canyon, VIPs to Slick Rock

It has been a very busy week as usual. The water froze up once this week by surprise - a 22 degree morning! Nothing major. Joan sent me some of Courtney's photos of our Mariscal/San Vicente/Hot Springs Canyons trip and we had a great VIP hike to Slick Rock Canyon. The canyon was very scenic, Joan checked out some ancient sites, we saw some ranching ruins and unusual plants - overall a great day!

Today was a day off but I spent some time taking some photos for an LE project and getting our 2nd truck, Mud Dog, ready for a trip down River Road East for Joan and me to run an aid station for an "Ultra Marathon" tomorrow. I cannot believe that we may see 140 runners on our leg of a 50K! It should be interesting.

I heard from a few friends who may be coming through Big Bend soon!!! Yippee - visitors! More about that as plans firm up. Meanwhile . . .

Amy, Terry & Matt

Me next to a boat load of firewood

Matt & Scott (me in the background napping)

Scott & Terry

Steve (from backcountry) and Matt (LE) moving bear box down a steep hill. Raymond (shadow) taking the photos.

Installation complete! Amy, Steve & Sonia (wildlife management volunteer)

Coyote howling on roadway on my way home that evening.

Larry, Julie, Natasha, Dave, Jane, Mike, Joan, Reina

These phone poles are due to be removed soon, but this one is a landmark on the trail for us! No!

We look small at the mouth of Slick Rock Canyon!

A grinding hole. Unusual in a free-standing rock like this.

Joan GPSing locations of manos (the rocks ancient people held in their hands to grind corn, grains, seeds, etc.

Lunchtime in the canyon.

A raven's nest way high up the canyon.

Jane enjoying a rare moment of warmth in the sun and solitude.

Mano in mano.

A broken mano.

I always find dead animals, huh!

"The Backpacker" rock formation. Formerly known as the "Lazy Mexican" named by a former park superintendent's wife who had not been schooled in today's political correct society.

A really large Turk's Head cactus compared to Joan's size 7 boots. Note the frayed jeans! (an inside joke)

Almost back to the car.