McJohns Canyon, sometimes referred to as McKittrick Canyon

Friday, we drove to Guadalupe National Park (just West of Carlsbad Caverns) and hiked a 7-mile trail called the McKittrick Canyon Trail.  Our thanks to the astoundingly adept politicians who made this possible by allowing the re-opening of the National Parks. It was an awesomely beautiful day with temperatures 60-75 degrees, blue cloudless skies, and just a hint of a breeze.  We showed up with only four dollars between us and the nice park ranger gave us a parking pass anyway with our promise to pay our $10.00 fee by credit card at the main ranger station (20 minutes away) on our way back home.

We understand taking care of our national parks, but felt they had kind of gone overboard with a printed warning about talking too loudly, as not to disturb the wildlife, not putting a toe outside the designated paths, and at the stream crossings there was a notice "Delicate water: do not touch the water." All the rock in the canyon is white limestone.

"Delicate" water

Despite the dire warnings, Mom did venture a few feet off the trail to pose with the machinery used to repair trails.  Grandpa wouldn't have it any other way. This piece is titled: Heavy Equipment Operator--double entendre intended.

The farther up the canyon we progressed, the more color we saw in the trees. They told us that in another couple of weeks, there would be even more.  We were delighted with what we saw.

We kept seeing a beautiful tree with red, peeling bark.  We later found that this was the Texas Madrone Tree.  We quote from Texas Plant and Wildlife: While the madrone’s lantern-shaped flowers and showy fruit dazzle the eye, it is the tree’s thick, papery, peeling bark that is its most distinguishing characteristic, undergoing metamorphoses each year. In their book, Native Texas Plants, Sally and Andy Wasowski note that the change begins each fall, “when old skin peels away to reveal the soft, cream-colored new bark. Color then changes to peach to coral to Indian red to chocolate and then peels away to start the process over again.”

Texas Madrone

At nearly the end of the trail was the "grotto", a collection of limestone formations.  We relaxed here and had some vitamin Ch (Hershey's Nuggets with almonds for you unenlightened CF's).

For those who have labored through this whole post, you can apply for course credit (.000025) through the Texas A&M extension service website.  Password is gullibleísimo.

We leave you with one of Bill's favorite shots o' the day: