LOST MINE (MIND) TRAIL

Rated "moderate", but at the upper end of moderate to put it lightly.
4.8 miles round-trip but it felt like 7 or 8. Of course being old had a little to do with it. Check the photos from today and yesterday. A picture's worth more than a bunch of typing.
Off tomorrow, about 200 mi. north to Fort Davis @ about 5K feet. Supposed to be some neat stuff there.
Our water pump is on the blink--going "clunk-clunk-clunk" & just putting out a trickle of water. A neighboring camper said it kept his kids up all night--they thought it was a monster. I think we can fix it as soon as we have water under pressure at our next campsite. We can then purge the Egg's water system, thus, getting the air out--this being the source of the of the problem (we think). Whatever.... We're happy...
Again...these photos are from yesterday during our 60 mi. round-trip drive through Big Bend countryside, down to the Rio Grand & the spectacular visit to the Sierra Elena mountains, towering some 8 or 900 feet. And these photos are coupled with those taken during The Lost Mine Trail hike, today, which went up to 7800 feet.
There will also be a photo of Rob and Liz from Conn. on their nifty Harley tricycle. They quit their jobs with ETNA Insurance and took off in their little camper, towing the Harley. Good folks we may well re-connect with.
The Chisos Mountains, towering in a circle around the basin where we're camped (in several of the photos) were named by Spanish explorers who called these mountains "henchizos", which means 'enchanted' in Castilian Spanish. This was later shortened to "Chisos."
Also, note the photo of the tarantula, spotted trucking across our campsite.
Oh yeah...note photos of old windmill & portion of Sam and Nena Nail's "ranch". Two brave, resourceful souls who homesteaded out here in the 1800s--doing everything themselves--enduring all the hurt, fear, anger & pain with no one to lean on but each other. . And we get in a tizzy when our AC unit goes on the fritz.
It's Sat. Dec. 1st and we're here at Fort Davis St. Pk., one of the best spots yet. Were here about 30 mins when in strolled 6 or 8 deer then two Javelinas--all brave as could be--obviously they'd been around people before. The Javelinas are thin critters, shaped much like trigger fish with legs., so I've deemed them trigger pigs. They are considered pests by the locals, can be fearsome in packs, especially the males with their curved tusks.
McDonald Observatory is a few miles down the road & we're setting aside today to participate in their Star Party & Twilight programs, allowing us to view some deep sky objects, seasonal planets, constellations, etc. Can't wait! We'll be "goobering" up a storm--both fascinated by the heavens, with all the mystery and infinity.
Peace & chuckles to all.....