Who would choose to live in this desolate place?

An undiscovered, pre-Mayan Pyramid?

Saturday morning we turned on the a/c,  tucked Krikkit in the RV, and headed back to the Guadalupe Mountains for a day hike.  Pat selected the Smith Spring Trail that began by the Frijole Ranch, which we had checked out on Thurs.  This trail was a loop so you could start either direction.  It was 2.3 miles (seemed longer 😁) and was supposedly a 1-2 hour hike.

My "it's a small world" moment occurred close to half way in at Smith Spring.  Arriving from the other direction at nearly the same time were two very nice girls.  We said our "hellos" and Pat and I found a place near the stream, coming from the spring, to eat our lunch.  One of the ladies asked if we were from Iowa.  What, how did they know (check out my shirt)?  Found out they both went to Loras College in Dubuque (my Grandpa Davidsaver was from Dubuque).  Being the great blogger that I am, haha, I didn't get their names or a picture.  One was from Colorado and the other one from Indiana and formerly from East Dubuque.  They have been friends since their first day at Loras 40+ years ago and meet occasionally, as they did here.  Pat always tells everyone, "home is whereever we are." Sometimes I still feel "homeless," but these moments give me a sense of home.  Nice to have met you girls!

After returning to our car I realized I didn't get names or a picture, but we decided to leave them our business card with a note from the "Iowa couple."  We became detectives and checked out the dozen or so plates in the parking lot for an Indiana or Colorado license plate.  We found one CO plate.  For all we knew they had a rental vehicle, but I tucked our card under the wiper anyway.  That evening I got a nice text message from "the girls from Dubuque."  

The first half of the trail was uphill, not steep mind you, but consistently up, so of course coming back was downhill all the way and quicker.  

The Smith Spring Trail began here.

Once again the Smith home purchased in 1905 from the Radar brothers.

The Frijole Spring at the Smith Ranch.

The Pyramid (as we started the trail) that Pat thought could be an undiscovered, pre-Mayan Pyramid, hidden under dirt, lol!

Water from the Manzanita Spring.

A rather large yucca.

Mr. Smith backed up the Manzanita Spring to form this pond probably for swimming.

Pat's trying out his repaired hiking boots.  After out last hike at Big Bend Pat noticed his soles were coming off his 25+ years-old Adidas hiking boots.  They lasted a long time! I've been through 3 pair in that time that cost a whole lot more than that.  The glue isn't holding  but it was meant to just be a temporary repair until we reached a sporting goods store. 

Looking down at the canyon we had to cross going up and then again back down. 

The spring is ahead in the trees.

We didn't realize how far up we had climbed until we looked out and saw the Pyramid  that towered above us at the start, now almost below us.

Pat looking towards the trailhead.

Water from the Smith Spring.

The Smith Spring

A sign by the Smith Spring, "Could you survive here?"  Springs were essential to life here in the desert, as well as providing recreation.

A cool, secluded spot by the spring for lunch.

Now it's all downhill, mostly.

Another pyramid the other direction.

Pat's pyramid  is looking taller again.

We made it!

An easy, but delicious, plate of nachos for dinner.