Got out by 10:00 after going over to the campground to dump. An easy drive down some desolate roads, with just a few small hills to cross on the way. After shopping and getting gas in Presidio (where the prices were much higher than anywhere we've been lately, mostly because it was so small everything was pretty much a monopoly), and discovering the only propane place in town was closed, which was a problem because we had one empty tank and despite our southern location the nights are still below freezing, we arrived at Fort Leaton, an interesting museum of the early history of the area and one of the outposts for Big Bend. After several minutes of pleasant banter with the Ranger there, we discovered that almost the entire park was closed for all but a public hunt, a fact that neither the reservation in Austin or the folks at the park had mentioned to me when I had called earlier. All he could offer was one night, but we'd have to be out before 9:00 am when the hunt started the next day. Considering that we had to go 27 miles on washboard gravel roads to get there (and another 27 to get out), we declined. Now we were stuck. Fortunately, just up the road was the Loma Paloma Golf Course and RV Park, and the owner was kind enough to let us stay there with the horses. We found a perfect spot, way at the western end in their storage area, that had two trees just the right distance apart for a highline. It didn't have water or electric, but at the time we thought we were only spending the night so it didn't matter. We had filled the RV with water at Ft. Leaton before our unfortunate discovery, so all we needed was to fill the 55 gallon drum for the horses, which we did in short order. We were soon settled in, and were then invited to Happy Hour at the Lizard Lounge, a tent-covered are in the middle of the park with long tables and chairs for socializing, which apparently happens every day at 4:00. We made our way over there about 4:30 with drinks in hand, and met some of the other temporary residents of the park. They even had some munchies, like a real live happy hour. It was very pleasant, and quite a nice surprise after being in so many public parks that have posted warnings about not having alcohol on the premises. We soon learned that all of the property directly behind the RV park was State land, and we were welcome to ride back there. Once Hubby learned that, we decided to stay a few days, rather than to rush back north into much colder weather (a major blizzard was crossing the country). Stayed in the gathering until the sun went down and the temps dropped, then got everyone settled in for the evening.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010 - Travel Day to Big Bend, Another Screwup
Got out by 10:00 after going over to the campground to dump. An easy drive down some desolate roads, with just a few small hills to cross on the way. After shopping and getting gas in Presidio (where the prices were much higher than anywhere we've been lately, mostly because it was so small everything was pretty much a monopoly), and discovering the only propane place in town was closed, which was a problem because we had one empty tank and despite our southern location the nights are still below freezing, we arrived at Fort Leaton, an interesting museum of the early history of the area and one of the outposts for Big Bend. After several minutes of pleasant banter with the Ranger there, we discovered that almost the entire park was closed for all but a public hunt, a fact that neither the reservation in Austin or the folks at the park had mentioned to me when I had called earlier. All he could offer was one night, but we'd have to be out before 9:00 am when the hunt started the next day. Considering that we had to go 27 miles on washboard gravel roads to get there (and another 27 to get out), we declined. Now we were stuck. Fortunately, just up the road was the Loma Paloma Golf Course and RV Park, and the owner was kind enough to let us stay there with the horses. We found a perfect spot, way at the western end in their storage area, that had two trees just the right distance apart for a highline. It didn't have water or electric, but at the time we thought we were only spending the night so it didn't matter. We had filled the RV with water at Ft. Leaton before our unfortunate discovery, so all we needed was to fill the 55 gallon drum for the horses, which we did in short order. We were soon settled in, and were then invited to Happy Hour at the Lizard Lounge, a tent-covered are in the middle of the park with long tables and chairs for socializing, which apparently happens every day at 4:00. We made our way over there about 4:30 with drinks in hand, and met some of the other temporary residents of the park. They even had some munchies, like a real live happy hour. It was very pleasant, and quite a nice surprise after being in so many public parks that have posted warnings about not having alcohol on the premises. We soon learned that all of the property directly behind the RV park was State land, and we were welcome to ride back there. Once Hubby learned that, we decided to stay a few days, rather than to rush back north into much colder weather (a major blizzard was crossing the country). Stayed in the gathering until the sun went down and the temps dropped, then got everyone settled in for the evening.
