Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

Along the way this windmill caught our eye.  It was in great shape and bigger than most. 

Stopped by the Guadalupe Mountains National Park for a sneak preview.  We gathered information for a longer return visit sometime.

In 1858, the Pinery was constructed near Pine Springs for the Butterfield Overland Mail, and the stage route was established through what is now the southwestern corner of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This trail was only used for less than a year as the coach was soon re-routed to a course along a string of army forts to the south.

The Pinery was one of approximately 200 way stations and relay posts along the 2,800-mile Butterfield Overland Mail route, which made biweekly runs from St. Louis to San Francisco. Prior to the Butterfield, mail to California left the East Coast by boat, traveled around the southern tip of South America, and then all the way back up to California. The Butterfield Overland Mail traveled an average of 120 miles per day, making the cross-country route in a maximum of 25 days. In addition to carrying mail, the Butterfield stage carried passengers who were squeezed into three rows, often times three abreast with their knees interlocked, baggage in their laps, and mailbags under their feet. For the passengers, this could be 25 days of pure torture. It was a long, exhausting journey with all too infrequent stops. Passengers suffered through cramped conditions, rough roads, extreme heat in the summer, intense cold in the winter, and the ever present threat of an Indian attack.

The Pinery was one of the most isolated stations on the Butterfield route.  Named for nearby forests of pine, had the distinction of being the highest station on the route at 5,534 feet. Nearby Pine Springs supplied all the water needed for horses, drivers, and thirsty travelers. In 1858, the Pinery consisted of little more than a heavy, pine timber corral and a couple of tents. Shortly after a high walled rock enclosure was constructed that protected three limestone walled rooms, a blacksmith shop, and a water tank. The station maintained a change of horses and provided meals of venison pie and baked beans to stage drivers and weary travelers.

McKittrick Canyon is a scenic canyon within the Guadalupe Mountains

Hiking on the McKittrick Canyon trail before lunch.  Not going all the way to the canyon today. It's a bit too warm.  We plan to come back to this area when it's not so warm.

Collared lizard

Missing his tail, but very colorful

Now we are headed to the Permian Trail and the Geology Loop which is the middle ridge you can see.

When in Texas do as the Texans do.

  Back at our White Shaman guided tour I had received some Texas advise.  When hiking in the heat carry an umbrella. I thought it worked well.  I felt cooler than on our earlier hike today.

Blue spiny lizard owns a small stronghold in Texas

Looking down on the McKittrick Canyon trail

It hard to believe all that is hidden up there.

 Things to do on a return visit

* Drive the 4x4 road to Williams Ranch

* Hike Guadalupe Peak - Highest peak in Texas

* Hike McKittrick Canyon - Pratt Cabin

* Visit Frijole Ranch History Museum