We have rediscovered the color green. Eastern green that is. The green that comes when you mix water and earth to produce luxurient vegetation.

Our last day in Ft. Davis was exciting with the first significant rain in months and a hail storm that dinged our car a bit. Chuck ran out and grabed three stones. Two measured 1.5 inches and one was 1.0.

After the storm we took a final walk. The bunch moss and grass was already greening up. The Sabinal River, which had been almost dry turned into a modest brook. The birds, reptiles, and amphibians became more active. The barking frogs did indeed bark on our last evening. We enjoyed last looks at the small but handsome golden cheek warbler.

We had met another couple on the trail. They were looking for this bird. Anne heard and then spotted it in a newly leaved oak. She pointed it out and shared the joy of of the others seeing it for the first time.

Our drive here was uneventful. The price of gasoline is frightful, but other than that all went well. We stopped at the town of Luling to enjoy the famous City Market Place barbeque. We arrived about 11:30 and parked in the last row of parking behind a truck. Much of the rest of the lot was empty.

Entering we saw a simple sign with prices by the pound for brisket, ribs, and sausage. We stood in front of the kitchen door a bit confused. Another patron told us to go on. "Just order what you want."

We entered the dark pit and reached the counter. We ordered a slice of brisket and a sheet of ribs. Then we reversed and said, "half a sheet, and one sausage ring." There seemed to be no other sides except some poor looking white bread.

We found drinks and salads in the main dining room and then sat down. By now the crowd was pouring in. We found the food to be excellant and a bargain. Anne struck up a conversation with a rancher and a retiree who assured her that this was one of the best such establishments in the Lone Star State. We loved our lunchtime dinner.

Returning to our rig we found that the lot was now crowded and someone squeezed in front of our rig behind the truck. Chuck said we could back up. Anne said we couldn't. It was tricky, but we did make it out and got back on the road again.

We rode east on I-10 and watched the land turn from desert scrub to grassland and then grassland and woodland. There were lawnmowers in this part of Texas! Construction slowed us down near Houston, but we arrived in Lufkin to visit friends of Chuck in the evening. We are parked in a rural driveway this weekend and enjoying the comforts of a household.

Tomorrow we begin a three day run to Hiawassee, Georgia. We will stage food drops for our hike from there. By the end of the week we will drop our car off at Amicalola Falls State Park and drive on to Sylva, North Carolina. Friends there will drop us off at Fontana Dam (Little Tennessee River & Smoky Mountains National Park) on Sunday. We will start our 170 mile hike from there. The wildflowers should be in full bloom.