Cougars at Night

Sunday

Van Horn, Texas. We are bunked at the “recently upgraded” Mountain View RV Park which is now, as the sign hopefully proclaims, “Under” New Management.

Tomorrow we depart for Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas, where the Rio Grande separates Mexico from the Excited States. We optimistically await a view of the great river… if we can see over the fence.

Monday

No barrier obscures the Rio Grande. And there’s surprisingly little border security; just a dinky little stream distinguishes Texas from Chihuahua.

We arrived at sunset just in time for Big Bend’s evening program entitled “Cougars at Night”.

I was surprised to learn that nocturnal carnivores populate this spot near the Mexican border. The moon was full, illuminating the amphitheater. But the park interpreter was a no-show. The 20 or so attendees began shuffling out into the Texas night. In an effort to abate their disappointment, I began an impromptu talk on the night sky. The audience shuffled tentatively back to their seats. Florence has heard this rant before and vacated the bleachers for the company of a nice book and a glass of Pinot.

I bullshitted about the cosmos – waxing on about the waning moon – punctuating my lecture with skyward gesticulations. When I finished a beefy southern blond approached me:

“You sure know a lot about the stars. You must be from around here.”

I was uncertain whether this was the world’s worst pick-up line or just genuine stupidity. I assured her we were all from the same local super-cluster of galaxies and headed for the camper.

Walking the moonlit road, I kept a wary eye to the rear. One can never be too careful where cougars are concerned.

Gerry