Sure lots of rocks to see and some are quite interesting. We went to a rock shop called Many Stones and met the proprietor of the same name. He opened up even tho he'd just closed for happy hour. He's had a variety of experiences we heard about from far north in Canada to this area near the Mexican Border. I'd guess most people hanging out around here are far from normal (not a pejorative remark). Rocks seem more expensive than I thought. I bought one and Ralph did too. I have a few hundred at home to keep it company

Met an older woman who rode in our raft. I'd guess she's over 80. She's trying to get to every National Park before Sept (don't know why that date). She has three or so to go of the 58. Pam flew from LA to Phoenix and drove to NM and AZ parks before getting here. She's rafted many rivers, but not the Colorado in Grand Canyon. The Guadalupe NP north of here didn’t impress her and she says it shouldn't be a NP. Very sharp lady who can tell you about nearly every park in the country. Next she'll start on the Canadian Parks!


People around Study (that's like the old Studie car, after a man with that name) Butte and Terilingua are so friendly and willing to talk about their life stories. Many are about dropping out of the cities to head for the hills to have time to do what they love most; play music, collect and sell rocks, drink beer, write poetry, guide tourists and explore the open country. Hard to argue with their form of success. We enjoyed the Starlight Theater for dinner where we heard Cowboy Doug play some great cowboy music and eat their good food. Breakfast at India's provided a start for the day and some words of wisdom to consider. The proprietors of this tiny bakery, India and William got their start with the help of the community. People brought chairs, tables, cabinets, whatever was needed and there they were! She's a poet and he's written children's and young adult stories.

A ride down the Rio to Presidio proved it warranted the scenic route status awarded by AAA and the much proclaimed Big Hill was a bust; steep, but not big!