IMAGINED OR REAL

Nestled in the foothills of the Palo Pinto mountains, some 100 miles by the crow, from Dallas, TX. rests the Possum Kingdom State Park and lake. The lake/reservoir was created with the aid of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 40’s by damming the Brazos River. Even though it is a LONG and difficult reach to the park, traveling the rolling hills and many narrow back roads, it’s filled with holiday weekend campers many of which are of Indian (India) decent.

Jackie did the “check-in” here at the park and while registering was asked, after we had chosen our camp site, “Are the foreigners still down there?” The check-in person, and the camp staff in general, seem to be somewhat uneasy with the recent ethnic diversity of their guests. Well, after all, this is Texas back country and all things new and different are looked upon with suspicion. I guess it is difficult not to automatically profile when we are bombarded with political candidates warning us of Muslims wanting to cleanse the earth of non-Muslims.

I doubt if any of our neighbors here at Possum Kingdom have bombs in their picnic baskets or have placed IED’s (Improvised Explosive Device) along the roadside….but we’ll remain ever-vigilant.

I’ll get out after breakfast and see if I can get a few pictures of Possum Kingdom. We were told that Feral Pigs/Wild Boars are a big nuisance around here and can be dangerous. Being illusive and camera shy, (the pigs) I doubt that they’ll be posing for any pictures….Maybe I’ll be able to capture a scat-pic, eh?

Before the April wildfires around Posium Kingdom Lake, TX. that destroyed over 7,500 acres and leveled 25 homes.

Today, after the fire.

The charred remains

of once lush vegetation.

Great Blue Heron crusing the lake's edge looking for lunch.

Blackened Red Cedar

New lake vegetation and ash edged leaf.

Devastation

The recovery will be slow if the drought isn't soon broken.