When I was hiking, the first one I saw I stopped to take a picture of it because of its stunning form. Only when I went up close to see what it was did I recognize it as the rough-barked Arizona Cypress of the Chisos. I have never seen any other examples of rough-barked Arizona Cypress so I cannot compare the Chisos Cypress to them. I noted every Chisos Cypress from the cabin on the Boot Canyon trail up the creek til there were no more Cypress, only Pinyon Pine. They were consistently the same, no exfoliating bark but light-colored ridged bark that clung tight to the tree. Will try to post the pictures I have this weekend. Will petition the National Park Service to make the seeds of these trees available for limited harvest and the Texas Forestry Service to add them to their list of seedlings they raise. They must be planted in other places to avoid a one forest fire wipe-out of their genetics.

Mustang Island is really nice. We liked Rockport State Park too, but it is a 15 minute drive to the beach. Depends on whether you'll need shade or not. Mustang is full blazing sun which can be good this time of year. :-)

Nothin' better than camping at a good Bluegrass Festival, I'll be camping at the Huck Finn Festival in California next month, can't wait. A couple of friends that play a little music will be coming along as well. Second trip of the season, did a short one out to the desert last month. That was a wild trip! I usually a get a NOAA weather forcast before leaving and it was calling for wind 15-25 mph for the first day then calmer over the next few days. The first night it blew 45 with gusts to 70 that flatten my daughter's nylon tent and blew the door out. I've been in some crazy weather with my wall tent but I think this was real close to the limit. Anyway we had to put the camping on hold while the tent is getting a couple of holes that chaffed through repaired. Hope it gets back in time for that festival.

just catching up to this..limited computer time if we are in a motel. I am sorry I missed the questions and thoughtful responses. jbrig: we will be in Poplarville MA tomorrow night. We are in Ocean Springs today and last night. Took our first day off. We will be in Baton Rouge soon after that and then on West of there. my email address is : carolinedonnelly(at)bellsouth(dot)net. I can get emails if you want to send me one. THAK YOU Mitch...the rain has not materialized but we are enjoying a day off. Wind at our backs ! I do feel strong . Thak you so much. graywings we all have cell phones. But we are never very far apart. We decide to stop usually ever 1 to 1 1/2 hrs. We usually wait till we see a likely Mom and Pop restaurant or gas station. Also whoever is in front pulls over and the others look for the bike that is parked outside. It always works out so far. imsocunfused. No we are using all back roads. We rode on Hwy 90 as it has a wide shoulder but we usually stay to back roads. We will pass through Baton Rouge and St Francisville LA and then Austin TX too...a straight line west. 880 miles in TX !!! Oh Marlene...how you touch my heart. What a fantastic tribute to the human spirit...I hope you don't mind if I share your comment with the Food Bank Face book page...I am so pleased that we can all work together to make a difference. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. jbrig : I sure try :)