Saturday, February 27^th, Alpine, TX

After spending a relaxing morning reading, showering, and chasing down a propane refill in town, I once again headed south from my camp, but this time to a destination less than a half hour away.

You snake your way through a canyon that splits a long line of buttes and ridges. When you come out the other end, you cross a long flat basin down to Alpine, TX.  I mention all of that because while crossing the basin it was the first time this whole trip that it was hot enough to make the oncoming headlights wink and dance from the heat radiating up from the pavement. It was a mere 55 degrees warmer than when I drew my first cup of coffee this morning.

This was the 30^th Annual Celebration of this Gathering and I can’t say enough about how delightful this experience was.  Songs and poems landed gently on my ears all afternoon. I laughed and I cried and I suspect most others did too.

The performers come from all over the western US and Canada and almost to a person they all are living, or grew up living the ranching life.

The Gathering takes place on the Sul Ross State University Campus. Individuals and businesses sponsor the performers to come and they are not paid. They all spoke glowingly of their sponsors and the privilege they felt to be there. There are some parts of the event that have admission, but most of the sessions are free and take place in classrooms in small groups. I sat in on one full session and parts of three others.  In all I heard seven women and eight men spin tales in song and verse about old horses, older dogs, the precious resource of water, grandpas, broncos, the loneliness of the range, stubborn cows, ranch queens, and the cook who first dreamed about and then “invented” the chuck wagon. And that’s just a sample.

Driving back I felt just overwhelmed by the good fortune that I happen to be in this area on the weekend of this event.

Tomorrow is pack up, church in Ft. Davis, and then north to Carlsbad Caverns. After that, it’s on to my sister and brother-in-law’s in Las Cruces. I’m looking forward to my visit with them.

Once again I thank you for tuning in and keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. Peace to your day.