After favorable reviews of the Bobcat Trail Kiosk, we were tasked with a second Kiosk at the entrance of the Refuge Public contact area. Lumber and materials arrived Monday 3/8. Completion of the 2nd Kiosk was quicker, noon on Wednesday 3/10. Weather has been ideal for outdoor construction. We were wrapping up cords and cleaning the area when the refuge manager stopped by to check on progress. Very complimentary on the outcome and status. Maybe we need to mess something up because we were tasked with a 3rd kiosk on the spot. A smaller version at the San Bernard Oak trail, but first could we relocate an existing sign closer the road.
help her Yellow “Wheelie” School Bus, also from Grandpa, navigate the “mud” (carpet) in her bedroom. The new toy became an instant success by pushing the bus out of the “mud”. Makes Grandpa really proud.
It is great vantage point to take in the whole of the park. Artwork and walking sticks are for sale all along the trail even so near the campground. It seems like border patrol is turning a blind eye right now given the closed Boquillas Crossing. The faint tinkle of a cow bell reaches our ears as far below on the river bank 
a band of burros emerges from the scrub and makes its way to the water’s edge where they take turns getting a drink. The sun is blistering hot even at 10AM. We head for shade and relax. It makes for a nice end to the week.
. A nice walk in a lovely place but haze dulls the signature view down into the valley. We take the Basin Loop trail just to spend a little more time among the mountains and are rewarded with clearing skies and a great look at a mama
black bear and her two cubs. This trail is just under two miles, pretty steep and rocky in places, and at 5000+ feet elevation. Kudos to our lowlanders/flatlanders for making the journey. It is a great morning.
Chocolate cake with chocolate icing and even “ice cream” demonstrate that one can celebrate with nearly classic trappings even with no (well very few) carbs. It was great to celebrate with him.
Parked and geared up we head for the trail. Rats, Terlingua Creek is running high and has created a gummy muddy mess just at the base of the bluff above Santa Elena Canyon. We have to cross to pick up the trail that runs back into the canyon along the magnificent cliffs carved by the Rio Grande. Hikers ahead of us sink mid-calf deep in sticky muck. We know it is a beautiful walk but, No thanks! We wander along the rocky shore and Johnna even gets her toes wet but we opt not to make the sticky crossing and instead move on the check-out other points of interest.
We awake to the orange glow of sunrise through a lingering haze. It is thinner than last evening so we are hopeful that it will clear through the day. We head out toward Boquillas Canyon. Visitor Centers are closed, replaced by small outdoor displays and token gift shop. Thank you, covid-19. We walk the nature trails at Panther Junction and Dugout Wells as we make our way to Boquillas Canyon where the Rio Grande has cut its way through the limestone and winds its way between 1300 foot high cliffs. From miles away, the river is not quite visible but we can trace the bright green ribbon of vegetation that thrives near it. We check out the overlook then take on the trail that runs into the river canyon.
The trail is strewn with knick-knacks made of beads and wire, walking sticks and even clothing all laid out by residents of Boquillas Mexico, a tiny village just on the opposite river shore. Covid has closed the crossing for most of this year taking away their normal tourist income. We encounter probably a dozen locals here on the US shore, many more than in previous visits, displaying and hawking their creations. There is some spectacular bead work, the scorpions are my favorite, but resist the temptation to buy and move on toward the river. The cliffs tower above us and views are beautiful as the sky clears. A rather unwanted side effect is much higher temperature than we anticipated based on the forecast and the sun is blazing down. We chill for an hour or so in the shade along the river, I even stick my toes in the water. It is cloudy from lots of fine silt but cool and refreshing.
A wooded, creekside trail in the early morning hours; my favorite kind of east coast hike. The morning fog has cleared but left a blanket of droplets in the fine hemlock boughs. The slightest disturbance from wind or canopy wildlife sends a fine shower cascading from high above our heads sparkling in brilliant shafts of sunlight that have penetrated into the quiet shade. The air is filled with the trill of thrushes and chip, chirp and chatter of forest birds rising from the understory along with the rat-a-tat of woodpecker drumming reverberating among the towering trees. A creek babbles and splashes as it tumbles across rock and forest debris. The sweet scent of wildflowers accents the damp cool smell of the lush forest floor and grey-brown stone outcroppings stand out in contrast to the green-brown growth. It is peaceful and beautiful!
She loves it. Grandpa is ecstatic. Then we hang out, just Grandpa, Nana, Grammy, Pop-pop, Mom, Dad and Willa until Zoom time when another 20+ well wishers appear on the screen. There is some entertainment by the Sunny Songsters,
a candle to blow out, and lots of smiles. We wind down with a glass of wine. Pack up the leftover cake (there is a lot), and head home. It was a fun day for everyone. Happy Second Birthday to our wonderful Willa.
A big slab of cake becomes a rock for the octopus to rest on. A dome and layer create the body. Oreos, lots of Oreos, are the stuff that tentacles are made of. Kent carves me halves and 2/3 cookies and we even use a few minis.
Bring in the glue, a lot of royal icing, and here it is, the framework of the great octopus cake. All that is left is what seems like a ton of purple buttercream icing. Add some googly sugar eyes and fruit loop tentacle suckers and ta-dah, one octopus. I love it.