Texas, the USA’s second largest state is too massive to see in a short time. Instead my number one goal was to visit my good friend. It was a blast to see him, his family, and catch up on old times. We even did an escape room together which was fun. We probably wouldn’t have made it out if not for his engineering son and his son’s brilliant girlfriend…well Jason also got some important clues while I ran around looking smart, but actually discovered only one clue.

A second priority was visiting the best BBQ in all of Texas: The Salt Lick. It wasn’t as posh 20 years ago, but it was still amazing. I picked up two gallons of the most wonderful BBQ sauce in the world to bring back to my wife.

Some stops along the way home helped provide an diverse Texas experience. Driving west from Austin, the terrain is mostly rolling hills oak scrubland. However just past Junction the terrain becomes more barren, hot, and flat.  

A brief side note. Like other states Texas has a Master Naturalist Program. From their website: “Many communities and organizations rely on such citizen volunteers for implementing youth education programs; for operating parks, nature centers, and natural areas; and for providing leadership in local natural resource conservation efforts.”  In other words, local communities creating sustainable solutions to benefit the environment.  So stop one for me was the Sandia Wetlands – The Sandia Springs Wetland project – A Master Naturalist Project. At the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert where very little should be, was a small wetland with Herons, phalaropes, stilts, and ducks. Even though though it was just on the other side of the hill from Lake Balmorhea, it was pretty popular with the wildlife. Just as well because when I drove by the lake later, it was really low and not much was happening there.

Sky Islands rise up from the desert and provide unique and interesting ecosystems. All types of wildlife find refuge from the heat of the desert in these islands that are scattered along the southwest. At Fort Davis, numerous feeders set attracted hummingbirds and other birds. The campground was fabulous. Being off season there were few people there and it was quiet.

I spent the next morning hiking canyons and hills, and then before the blistering heat started I went to the Chihuahuan Desert Institute. (desert institute). Even at 10am the temperatures were over 100, so I didn’t want to hike long. This summer record heat waves and temperatures were soaring through the southwest.  I shortened my hike a quick four mile saunter.  It was indeed hot and the wildlife was scarce. 

The drive from Fort Davis to Tucson was barren and very hot. I stopped in El Paso for gas and drink and the temperature on my car gauge said 115, but the temperature on the sign at the gas station said 112. There was no escaping the heat. It had been over 100 since South Carolina. I wanted to hike in the Santa Rita Mountain range, another sky island; however the heat and my experience in the Rockies deterred from my the backpacking trip I had planned….perhaps another time. Although there were some lonely and long stretches of very little in Nevada, the drive through the Chihuahunen desert was alos isolated and sparse.

Instead I went to Madera Canyon. I rolled in at nightfall and was able to watch bats feeding at the humming bird feeders, which was pretty cool. I hiked up the canyon, but didn’t make it to the peak of the trail. Elegant Trogons, Mexican Jays, and quite a few flycatchers.

Before leaving Arizona, there were two more places to see. The De Anza Trail in Tubac was a particularly green wonderland oasis and sported quite a bit of wildlife. Migrating wildlife and evidence of flooding everywhere. Even in the shade the temperature was high. With time for just one more Arizona stop, I hiked a loop through Saguaro National Park. The sun blazed and I could only do a brief three mile loop. The Saguaro were amazing and the area really gave a sense of what the area was like long ago.

It was time to power home from Tucson. During the 15 hours drive home I had some time to reflect on my trip. Although I only saw a small smidgeon of the USA, it was incredibly diverse and there was no shortage of amazing sites to see. The 2 month excursion took longer than people usually take when driving from coast to the other; however I was happy with my various assortment backroads. Small towns, corn fields, dirt roads, winding roads, mountain passes, desert canyons, bayous, single track roads, and even the occasional city road gave a great glimpse into the natural and human diversity that call the USA home.