In the last almost six months since we've been here, we've learned a few things about rural Texas. It's an area of extremes. Weather from draught to floods, rich to very poor-sophisticated cowboys to real hillbillies and there can always be beauty and wonderful people in unexpected places.
Eight miles away is a town of Dawson, population 807. Like most boonie towns the only buildings not boarded up are the town hall, police, perhaps a post office or masonic lodge and of course lots of churches. I was advised this is where the closest Laundromat is (sometimes sorry I wanted more space in our rig than a washer & dryer). Found out this place is only step up from washing my clothes on a rock in the stream. Was advised by a fellow patron which of the old washers were good so you wouldn't lose your $1.50 and which of the four dyers are functioning and there was no change machine. So past decaying store fronts, I walk to the local bank which is the biggest, newest and cleanest building in town for quarters. I can only wonder how can a nice bank like this be here because I don't know who in this town could have money! Well, anyway, what made this an unexpected pleasure was a local woman I met, Francis, a beautiful person full of local gossip (like the demented soul who sits on the curb and howls like a wolf). It was unbelievable that this educated person lives alone without running water in this day and age. But believable that I didn't use this facility again. Instead I drive more than 25 miles to the next nearest Laundromat where can watch a soap while at the same time pour it in the washer.
Living out in the boonies where even the park rangers agree the locals are somewhat backward, you see different sights like dogs sleeping on the road, old beautiful plantation houses next to tumble-down shacks, and lots of Texas lawn art we call litter. I've become especially aware of litter since our volunteer work here is primarily to eliminate it. Impossible! The residents here take advantage of the excellent fishing but only take their catch back home not their trash. I've picked up so many single flip flops and fishing lures, I could open a store catering to one legged fishermen. It bugs me that the only thing I've gotten besides reappearing garbage is poison ivy-three times so far.
What else I've gotten is allergies. But I'm not alone, Elroy has 'em too. Texas is known to possess some of the highest numbers of allergy sufferers. Had to get medicine from the vet for Elroy so he would stop chewing on his feet-thank heaven I only sneeze. . . He can run free here and spread his scent everywhere. I'm still trying to understand how he can control his sprinkles. He must have an internal pee gauge because he always has enough to dribble again and again.
Talking of pee, I've got to tell you about the restrooms here in the park. I walk around here a lot and needed to use the facilities one day. They do have running water in the bathrooms but only have pit toilets. I bared my butt to feel a cold wind on my privates as I was seated. The shock of frigid ventilation in a usually warm area was astonishing to say the least. How can other people stand it? If campers stay here for a long time, do they get constipated? I can understand odor eliminating jets of air but this was way below the belt when you're not expecting it.
Well this adventure will be ending soon and another to look forward to when we travel on to the Black Hills. Stay tuned.
