When Your Tent’s A Tumbleweed

Sorry for the lack of communication lately. Though I’ve been busy, the internet connection has been on the fritz lately, making updates darned near impossible. I’ll provide a brief personal update, before moving on to other, more interesting topics.

My parents came out this weekend. A good time was had by all. Mom and I found Flammulated Owl, one of the birds I had most hoped to find in my spare time here.

I’ve also moved out of the McIvor Center, at least at night, as the Center for Big Bend Studies from Sul Ross University is doing an archeological study in a cave on the preserve. I’m now sleeping in my tent.

Speaking of which, I had the funniest experience yesterday. While talking to the cook, she suddenly pointed outside and I turned around to see my tent blowing across the ground like a tumbleweed, end over end. Normally I stake the tent down, but I had a bunch of stuff inside (sleeping bag, ground pad, sheets and blankets — probably 15 pounds worth), and I figured it wouldn’t go anywhere. In fact, it had been there all day without a problem. I hit the door running like a jackrabbit crossing the highway to catch it. I was scared to look inside, as predictably, it looked like a tornado had rearranged my stuff.