A trip to Fort Stockup

The longest commute I ever faced was when I lived in Olathe, Kansas and worked in Topeka. Daily round trip for that ride equaled about 130 miles. My subsequent commute between north Chicago suburbs was a bit better – 40 minutes each way in city traffic – but still wore on me. Thankfully, I've discovered a remedy for healing those old commuter wounds. I walk out the door of our 5th-wheel then take 12 paces to the back door of my work station. This is one 12-step program that really works!

It takes about 10 seconds to walk from Kong to the Persimmon

Gap Visitor Center. Now that's what I call a commute!

Leonard and I began hosting at the Persimmon Gap Visitor Center near Big Bend's (“BiBe” for short) main entrance a couple of weeks ago. We're still learning and exploring the park and adjusting to our new position. Thus far, our biggest adjustment to daily life here has been that of starvation avoidance. Moving from park headquarters at Panther Junction took us 27 miles further from the nearest grocery store. (Certain basic items like milk and bread are available at various concessionaire-run convenience stores within the park, but something about being asked to pay $4 for a half-gallon of milk rubs me the wrong way.)

We arrived at BiBe stocked with enough provisions to last us three weeks. As those dwindled, it became clear that we would soon be forced to forage in more distant territory. So, we grabbed our reusable grocery bags, climbed into Truckzilla's cab and headed for the town of Fort Stockton, affectionately referred to by the locals as “Fort Stockup.” And stock up we did!

Sunset, south Texas style! Not wasting time on a long drive to

"work" leaves more time for enjoying scenes like this.

 

Eighty miles, one ridiculously overloaded grocery cart and three hours later, we filled Truckzilla's tank and headed back to Persimmon Gap. Cost for the day, excluding lunch at Fort Stockton's lone Subway restaurant, ran us $430: $390 for food and other provisions plus $40 for diesel. (Truckzilla's gotta eat too, you know!)

Having restocked Kong's limited larder, we can now relax and spend our time off taking advantage of BiBe's hiking trails. (Pictures of our latest outings follow.)

Leonard, Sprocket and I should be set for another three weeks, just long enough for me to check out routes for a provisioning trip down a different kind of road: the information highway. Twelve steps from the couch to my laptop then 12 to greet the FedEx driver delivering our order? Yup, that should do alright.

The end of the Lost Mine Trail in the Chisos Mountains. No mine, but the views are worth their weight in gold!

The Chisos are the only mountains in the United States situated

entirely within the boundaries of a national park.

It's not all about the rocks. Late fall rains produced a flourish of color, as

evidenced by this cluster of Cardinal flower.

So many trails, so little time.

Hikers heading into Dog Canyon get a close look at this rock slide from 1985. The largest boulders are said to be the size of a kitchen.

Dog Canyon Trail takes travelers along 2.5 miles of desert floor and dry creek bed. The desert is best viewed (and appreciated) up close.

Lush grasslands seen by early Anglo settlers to this area disappeared due to overgrazing, allowing creosote to take over. Even this bush, once thought indestructible, has it limits. In 2011, a severe drought hit the area, followed by a deep freeze. Dead shrubs, cacti and other plants found throughout the park serve as reminders of Nature's carnage.

Climate isn't the only danger to life in Big Bend. Buffelgrass, imported from Africa

by Anglo settlers, gravely threatens native vegetation as it competes for soil and water.