Along the Geronimo Creek: West Texas Roadtrip

There are interesting places in west Texas that I have thought about visiting but just never found the time. My longtime friend, Erwin Lehmann, was game for a trip to see these treasures so the two of st us headed West on Interstate 10. First stop was Caverns of Sonora near Sonora, Texas. This cavern is rated the most beautiful cave in Texas. Our guide (just call me "Z") took us on a journey of about 2 miles that descended 150 feet. What separates this cave from all the other Texas caves is the number and beauty of the helictites.

Helictites

Called soda straws long, delicate-looking and hollow

Next we traveled south toward Juno, Texas to visit with Pedro Nieri at the Moore Ranch. Pedro and Donna Nieri were our next door neighbors in San Marcos and we quickly became friends. Two married couples in an apartment complex of college students. We were very lucky that Sally had someone to depend on right next door during my absence for Army Basic Training. Many good times as couples up until Donna's passing in 2010.

Traveled to Pandale, Texas on the Pecos River where Erwin and I stayed the night in a cabin near the low water crossing where Ed Waley, Mike Sanders, Willie Dan Rowell and I began our storied four night canoe trip down the Pecos River.

Stopped while this six foot Bull snake crossed the road

Pandale Cabin

Over to the left of this photo is a section of the old low water crossing..

Pecos River

This beautiful little snake is the Prairie Ringneck

Sunrise on Pecos River from the new bridge

On to Seminole Canyon State Park, we took the Fate Bell guided tour with Lance. The pictographs are some of the best preserved of the Pecos River Style and date back around 5000 years.

That is Fate Bell Rock shelter in distance.

Fate Bell Shelter

Looking out from Fate Bell Shelter

About seventy miles north of Del Rio is Loma Alta. Thirty miles of rocky road from Loma Alta, Texas to Devil's River Natural Area. Another 5 miles of even rougher road and you are at the parking area for the hike to the Devil's River. The Devil's River is the most pristine river in Texas and a majority of the river flow comes from a series of springs flowing from the base of the bluff at this location. The springs are named the Finegan springs after the original landowner and produces about 15,000 gallons of crystal clear water per minute.