Even after we extended the deadline another month, only three of you raconteurs bothered to get your tales out of your busy little minds and onto paper – and send your story to us. Here are our very favorite – and only – submissions to our contest. Shame on the rest of you and a BIG KUDOS to Tom, William, and Dori.
Tin Knees
The damn docs took my knees, ripped them out! Replaced them with tin.
No more hikes, I thought. But I wanted to do Lost Mine one more time.
So the next spring break when I had returned to the park, I left early
in the morning to hike the 2000 foot, 2.8 mile trail. Slow. Steady.
Step after step. Steeper. Rocks on the trail. Careful! The side of the
mountain drops away. Can’t believe the last 50 feet. I was there. Made
it! Exultation! Dancing on the mountain top. Roarrrrrrrrrrr!Tom Ramsay (Terlingua)
Right Triangle
Spring break 1989, events followed me from Austin. Matamoros: UT
student Mark Kilroy was kidnapped and murdered in a satanic ritual. I
learned later that I visited the same places in Matamoros, that same
day. The Blue Creek Fire just consumed 330 acres in the park; a haze
hung over the Basin. Kilroy’s story became national news and legend.
The Blue Creek Fire is practically forgotten, except the sign near the
South Rim. Observe the map: Austin, Matamoros, and the Basin form a
right triangle. Phenomenal!William Hennessy (Terlingua)
Dry Mouth
Spring Break makes my mouth go dry. I volunteered in BBNP for 5 years.
So, when I had the opportunity to get my hair cut, I jumped at the
chance to relax. After the haircut, I was on the porch when a cowboy
rode up, asked if I would hold the reins while he had a “cold, wet
one”. I grabbed the reins amiably, realized I know nothing about
horses- this critter could do whatever he wanted. Cowboy came out,
tipped his hat, “Thank you ma’am, I’m goin’ to Mexico.” I grinned like
a fool. What a grand place this is.Dori Ramsay (Terlingua)
