I took the kids on a fieldtrip today to a Ranger Station near the border and a place called Pena Blanca lake. It was a day full of surprises, not the least of which was that Pena Blanca lake is not a lake. It’s gone. And we drove an hour to see it. Things disappear in the desert and if it happens to be water, it’s not coming back any time soon. The Forest Rangers sounded so hopeful for the future. One even said they were courting possible convenience stores to build near the lake… that is, once it fills up. Which could take a Very Long Time.
It felt a little surreal, driving into an apparent Risk Zone and not realizing it. Around the turns in the canyon were hidden border patrol vehicles full of agents, watching our envoy. After letting us through the Padlocked Gate for Rangers Only, The Ranger in charge decided to hand us this card as we sat down for a picnic lunch:
Um, Yikes!
“Traditional responses may not be appropriate. Check your gut.” probably means something pretty bad.
Meet the ex-con Mule that used to run drugs across the border. The Rangers said he’s really grumpy all the time now that he’s on parole working for the Forest Service. Just so you know, drug runners aren’t very nice people and they treat their animals badly. And poorly treated animals are G-R-U-M-P-Y!
We had a good time and we met some wildlife:
And ran away from some other wildlife (whilst wishing I’d packed the telephoto lens):
We learned that we shouldn’t play with fire, handled forest fire tools, tried MRE food that the Forest Service eats during fires, caught insects, saw a movie about Saguaros, learned to saddle a mule and a horse, hunted for toads… it was a great expedition.
