No storms last night, but strong, gusting winds came up at sunset. We’re told this is not uncommon in these parts. Also, yesterday we decided to do a couple of loads of laundry at the BBNP camp store (walking distance from Barnabas), so we sorted clothes and headed that way. Linda had checked earlier and thought that some of the 4 washers would be available about now. But our laundry will have to wait for another day. Just before we got to the camp store, a bus arrived and spilled out a full load of young adults who had spent the last several days rafting and camping on the Rio Grande. And they ALL were headed into the washer area with their dirty clothes! This morning the plan is to drive a big loop of scenic roads and give BOTH of our legs a rest. Linda and I both slept very well last night, so we were up with the sun and preparing for the day’s adventure. Loaded up lunch, water, and map in the car, fueled up, and headed west. 45 miles from Barnabas to the west exit from BBNP (I told you the park is BIG, over 800,000 acres). From there to Study Butte (that’s pronounced “STOODIE BEAUTE”), then continuing west on FM170 to Presidio, TX. On the way we stopped at the Terelingua Ghost Town, which is a town that was abandoned in the early 1900’s. It’s now a tourist attraction, and also partially occupied by some “Bohemian” type Texas “artsy” folks. One occupied dwelling we saw from a distance was constructed of: the partial adobe walls of one of the “ghost town” houses, with a new makeshift roof over the top and rugs hung over the window openings and gaps in the walls, and a late model Cadillac parked outside. We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto! We walked into a General Store that had lots of gifty stuff.
Nice store with quality items, but something about the store and the town just gave both of us the creeps, so we high-tailed it out of there. FM170 is a very scenic road that mostly follows the Rio Grande all the way to Presidio (about 60 miles west of BBNP).
Up and down with some 15% grades, back and forth and around, very twisty and wild semi-desert terrain. We’re glad that BBNP saved 800,000 acres of this beautiful country, because some of this area is spoiled by human habitation and abuse. 
Just after getting onto FM170 was a sign that said “Road Closed in 45 Miles, Local Traffic Only”, but the Park Ranger this morning said the road was open all the way to Presidio. About 10 miles from Presidio, we came to a large pile of dirt across the road, with barricades in front of it. On them was a sign that said “Detour” and pointed right, into the desert scrubland. FM170 was still closed due to flood damage from September, and they had cut a dirt road detouring through the badlands. About a 3 mile detour, and the dirt road was wide enough for 2 cars to pass, and not any rougher than the dirt roads we’d driven in BBNP, but an unexpected adventure nonetheless. Earlier, one of us (identity will remain a secret) drank too much liquid, thinking there would surely be a restroom between BBNP and Presidio, so the dirt road detour was pretty uncomfortable, and arriving in Presidio was a big relief. From Presidio we drove north to Marfa, stopping along the way to eat our packed lunch. Marfa’s claim-to-fame it that unexplained lights can occasionally be seen looking SW from a spot several miles east of town. Supposedly this phenomenon has been studied by “experts” and has yet to be explained. East from Marfa to Alpine, TX, stopped at a grocery store there and got a frozen pizza for dinner, then south back to Study Butte, and then the 45 miles east back through BBNP to Barnabas and an excellent pizza dinner, accompanied by the singing of coyotes in the distance. Tomorrow’s plan includes a worship service of two, doing laundry and cleaning Barnabas, with maybe a nap in the afternoon. We’ll likely start heading back east towards Florida on Monday or Tuesday. But we’ll be leaving this area of Texas very reluctantly.
Nice store with quality items, but something about the store and the town just gave both of us the creeps, so we high-tailed it out of there. FM170 is a very scenic road that mostly follows the Rio Grande all the way to Presidio (about 60 miles west of BBNP).
Up and down with some 15% grades, back and forth and around, very twisty and wild semi-desert terrain. We’re glad that BBNP saved 800,000 acres of this beautiful country, because some of this area is spoiled by human habitation and abuse. 
Just after getting onto FM170 was a sign that said “Road Closed in 45 Miles, Local Traffic Only”, but the Park Ranger this morning said the road was open all the way to Presidio. About 10 miles from Presidio, we came to a large pile of dirt across the road, with barricades in front of it. On them was a sign that said “Detour” and pointed right, into the desert scrubland. FM170 was still closed due to flood damage from September, and they had cut a dirt road detouring through the badlands. About a 3 mile detour, and the dirt road was wide enough for 2 cars to pass, and not any rougher than the dirt roads we’d driven in BBNP, but an unexpected adventure nonetheless. Earlier, one of us (identity will remain a secret) drank too much liquid, thinking there would surely be a restroom between BBNP and Presidio, so the dirt road detour was pretty uncomfortable, and arriving in Presidio was a big relief. From Presidio we drove north to Marfa, stopping along the way to eat our packed lunch. Marfa’s claim-to-fame it that unexplained lights can occasionally be seen looking SW from a spot several miles east of town. Supposedly this phenomenon has been studied by “experts” and has yet to be explained. East from Marfa to Alpine, TX, stopped at a grocery store there and got a frozen pizza for dinner, then south back to Study Butte, and then the 45 miles east back through BBNP to Barnabas and an excellent pizza dinner, accompanied by the singing of coyotes in the distance. Tomorrow’s plan includes a worship service of two, doing laundry and cleaning Barnabas, with maybe a nap in the afternoon. We’ll likely start heading back east towards Florida on Monday or Tuesday. But we’ll be leaving this area of Texas very reluctantly.
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