Friday was an easy driving day. We started in Carlsbad at about 8:30 AM, and arrived in Balmorhea before noon. We had originally planned to stop at Balmorhea for a swim in the pool, and then go on to the Chinati museum in Marfa, but decided that we were not in that much of a hurry, and that we would prefer to spend the night at the state park.
Balmorhea State Park is a pool built as a WPA project from a natural spring. The spring puts out twenty million gallons of water per day. The park is a pleasant oasis in the desert. This is not a chlorinated pool with lifeguards. You share the pool with fish, wild ducks, and turtles. The water is crystal clear, and the pool is 25 feet deep at the deepest point. Most of the people in the water were taking scuba lessons. The water is about 77 degrees year round. Today was a cool but sunny day, and Richard enjoyed a swim in the pool while Marianne looked at birds.
The area is beautiful, with desert flowers and yucca blooming.
We saw a great horned owl in a tree around the pool, lying down on the stub of a huge limb. His "horns" were very prominent. The closest either of us has ever been to a big owl in the wild.
The campground is nice, with asphalt roads, picnic tables with covers, water and electricity. Our large rear window faces the mountains.
Our plan for Saturday is to tour the Chinati museum in Marfa, and then head towards Big Bend National Park. Plan subject to change on a whim.
Richard and Marianne
