Sunday February 11, 2018
Remember that place I had the beer the previous night? This is J&P's Barbecue...
Today was supposed to be all about Seminole Canyon State Park. It’s just a few minutes west of the motel. I had planned to be at the park when they opened at 8A. There’s a long canyon rim trail to some scenic overlooks that intrigued me. The way I estimated it, I’d still be back at the visitors center in time for the 3P guided tour down into the canyon, the only legal way you can access it.
When I woke up the near perfect weather had changed. I could hear a light splatter of rain outside. I checked the weather and it was twenty-six degrees. Now, take into account there is NOTHING to do here in Comstock on a rainy Sunday. The only thing open is the convenience store across the street. So, breakfast was a protein bar and some juice. Hardly exciting.
So, I sipped my coffee, caught up on the Olympics and thought warm thoughts. By 9:30A, it seemed clear, at least to me, that the rain was over. Now, it was just cold. So, I finished the coffee, packed up a few things and drove over to the park.
The ranger told me they would make the call on the afternoon guided tour depending on the weather. I was welcome to hit the trails. I looked at the map and considered. Doing the entire loop was well out of the question. That’s a full day starting at 8. However, there’s an overlook at 1 3/4 miles.
Seen within the park...
I found the trailhead and started walking.
I kept telling myself I could do three and a half miles. The trail is relatively level, so I could set a brisk pace. Did I mention it was now thirty-two degrees with a stiff wind. Did I also mention I was dressed for Texas in February. Translation, T-shirt, long sleeved flannel shirt and a denim jacket. It was way too gusty for a cap, so a bandana kept my ears warm, or at least out of the direct wind.
As the trail twisted around he canyon rim, the wind alternated between blasting my in the face, and pushing me along. I kept telling myself it’s only three and a half miles. I was walking fast to keep warm and simply to get the experience behind me. It’s lovely park, and I did enjoy the view. I would have been happier with it being a few degrees warmer, or at least less windy. But, when am I going to find myself back here?
As you can see from the photos, it was well worth it in the end.
As if a taunt from the weather gods themselves, the sky started to get a little lighter as I drove back to the visitors center. There was still no word on the tour, so I just headed back to the room to warm up.
By 2:30P, the sky was clearing nicely with actual blue patches. The wind had died down and it was up to almost fifty degrees. Yes, the afternoon tour was on. It lasts about an hour and a half. The ranger takes you down to one of the overhangs that used to serve as dwellings for the native people about four thousand years ago. The curious thing is, no other tribes claim to be affiliated with, or ancestors with these people. The ranger estimates perhaps five hundred people spread out over thirty miles.
They’re not the first to live here. But, they were the first to leave behind petroglyphs. Many were damaged over the years by the sun, vandals, erosion or simply time. But, they’re protected here and that’s why you can’t hike down on your own.
After the tour, I simply drove back to the room, pulled out the tablet and wrote up some notes for the day. Nothing except the convenience store was open in downtown, and the next closest town is twenty miles or so from here. Just another quiet night in Comstock, Texas.
However, I did go out for sunset. This time I took a walk, trying to find an unobstructed view of the horizon, or at least an interesting foreground.
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