Day 19 - Guadalupe National Park Hike

The 4 of us left the CG at 8:30 and drove in our CRV to Guadalupe National Park about 70 miles from our CG. It was the same route we took yesterday but still a very beautiful drive.

We stopped at the main visitors center to use their facilities and check with the Park Ranger about needing to show our pass for getting into their State Park. From there we went to the visitors center at the McKittrick Canyon area we would hiked that trail to Pratt Cabin, a 4.8 mile round-trip hike.

Saw 3 mule deer on our way into the park.  Only this one
cooperated for a photo!


 

What a nice trail that included some blooming flowers, cacti, unusual trees, stepping on rocks to go over small streams, and ending the hike at the Pratt Cabin.  We all agreed that the surface of this trail, stones, was so much harder on our feet and backs than a dirt trail. 

What beautiful views!

A Sotol Cactus

Love the blooming flowers in the DESERT!

The trail was well-maintained with the loose stones,
but it was hard on your feed and back!

Interesting bark that looked like mosaic!

This is an agave plant.  (not a cactus),  All parts
of this plant are used for something.  This is the
plant that provides agave nectar, a natural sweetner.
The syrup from the blue agave  is also used to make
 "high end" Tequila.  Indians used the pointed leaves
for pins and needles and the blooms are edible and usually
dried!

Mr. Pratt, an oil man, was taken by a friend to see this area canyon area.  His friend told him he wanted to show him the most beautiful spot in Texas.  Mr. Pratt fell in love with the canyon and in 1931 decided to build a stone cabin in the center of this most awesome setting.  The home consisted of a large LR and Kitchen, plus 2 bedrooms, each with their own full bath.  He also built a stone "garage" that was used as a stable.  He even built a stone entranceway and wall.  All the stones were brought to the building site by 2 local cowboys who had their horses drag the stones up the mountain from 3 miles away.  Those stones were more symmetrical and did not need to be chiseled when used for building the home.  He also had a front porch the entire length of the home to have a place to relax and view all of his surroundings.

Mr. Pratt constructed these pillars for a gated entrance and
 a stone wall.

That building is like a garage, but was the stable area.  Even
the roof was stone (flagstone)

Built in 1931, this cabin was amazing!

The view from the back of the cabin!

We enjoyed the rest and the view!

This is what you could view from the front porch!

The bark of these trees was soooo smooth!

We walked back down the trail and Ken's heel and Melissa's feet were sore from the rough, stony path. My back was a bit sore from this rough trail too!  We ate our packed lunches on the benches at the Visitors Center.  

Quite a ice place to eat lunch!

On the way back to the CG we passed the 290,000 acres owned by Jeff Bezo, the CEO of Amazon.  He founded a secret, private space craft company, Blue Origins, to ferry astronauts into space.  Also looking to provide affordable space travel for interested parties.  We passed his "space center", 30 miles outside of Van Horn. One of Ken's pictures include a launch pad and what appears to be a rocket. 

The rocket launch area!

Very tight security!

Back at the CG, I did a load of wash while Ken put the bikes on the CRV and disconnected everything but the electric.  At 6:15 the 4 of us walked to the Van Horn Cattle Company Restaurant about a block from the CG.  We were told they have delicious hamburgers and we had to agree!  Of course, we had to have some beef - after all, we are in Texas!

We played a game of Skip-Bo and Pinochle and we each won a game.  Can't believe it is time to move on to Deming, NM.  We have been in Texas for 2 weeks and we have certainly made some terrific memories.  Texas has been very good to us.  We hope to do a little relaxing the next few day (who am I kidding?)  We also have to find a grocery store or Wal-Mart.  We have been in the middle of nowhere at these last 2 CG's where there hasn't been a grocery store for miles and miles.  We haven't been near one since leaving San Antonio! Time to stock up!