I find myself in Big Bend National Park unexpectedly in late September. It has rained a lot. Everything is green. The normal bluff color has been superseded by olive and light greens. The octotillo has leaves all up and down the spines. We needed to get a training hike in for a contemplated Grand Canyon hike. The best trail in West Texas for doing suck is the Chisos Loop in the Chisos Mountains. The upward trail is called Pennacles; starting at the visitor’s center and climbing about 1200 feet in 3.5 miles. This time there were flowers and butterflies in abundance. Once ...