10/12/2014
I have had an intimate relationship with nature over the course of this expedition. I call it an expedition because I have been on a search. I have been searching for those tiny gems which few have been lucky enough to encounter. Every place has these treasures. The trick is to find them. Before I entered Texas I had an inkling of their bourgeoning art scene. Barbra and Bob, the proprietors of El Paso West RV Resort, were a wealth of knowledge, and they confirmed my hunch. Not only did they have an RV resort that was very green, they could tell you tidbits about the little nooks and crannies of the state. Most people think cattle and oil when they think of this place, but a while back on my old journey I was privy to a glimpse of that artistry. Through Barbra and Bob, I learned of the art I would encounter in Marfa as well as the unique lodgings in the surrounding areas.
It was unfortunate that I wasn’t able to spend more time at El Paso West RV Resort. Their grounds were very inviting and their restrooms were comfortable and clean. They even had an area to lift weights. I would have enjoyed touring the pecan farms I passed while running to Anthony. There was a time, when I was young, that pecan pie was my favorite food. I had no clue that the area around Anthony was second to only Australia in supplying the world’s pecans. Much of this I learned from my conversation with Bob.
On the journey, as of recently, I’ve been going stir crazy. My reading materials had run out, and due to our tight budget, buying a book at a retail store was not practical. As usual patience would reward me. The El Paso West RV Resort also had a lending library. Like Paulo Cohelo, they believe in the sharing of knowledge. They had a shelf of books which Barbra and Bob had already finished. We left them three of our books and we took three new pieces of literature. What a beautiful cycle.
Just before my feet began their daily job of carrying me to the next town Bob presented me with a ristra. You might have seen one hanging in a Hispanic household. Native Americans used them to ward off evil spirits and the Mexicans used them to ensure abundant harvests. In the Southwest, ristras are presented as a house warming, welcome to the neighborhood gift symbolizing good luck. We hung ours in the kitchen. Let’s hope they work
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