Backpacking in Big Bend National Park – Water

There was only one water source that we knew about (late 70s) in Big Bend – Boot Springs. Boot Springs was a misnomer of the first order. It was not a 'spring' – it was a very small pipe sticking about 8" out of the side of a mountain on the south rim of the Chisos from which water dribbled in spaced-out drops.

We had been almost 3 days without a bath, this was the first water we had seen (other than what was in our backpacks/canteens). David was so excited, he put his hands together in order to hold as much water as he could. When he had a handful, he immediately rubbed it over his face and head. A few minutes later, the dry air had converted the wet dust/dirt on his medium long, kinda thinnish hair into 4" long strings of adobe. He only Thought he had dirty hair before, now his hair was caked with clay. Unfortunately for him, his new hairdo was a source of merriment for Clark and me.

On our way back to base camp, we crossed the Rio Grande (no border post) into Mexico to visit a Mexican version of a campers' hostel. We had heard they had showers – 25 cents for 15 minutes of running hot water. I borrowed 75 cents and told Clark and David that I'd see them in an hour.  I used every minute of those 45 minutes – 45 minutes of gloriously hot running water … WOWZER!  I had never appreciated water as much as I did right then. I felt like a new person, and I am sure all my grunge clogged up whatever filtration system they had.

Right there and then, I promised myself I would never take water for granted again. Of course, I have; but even today, there are times that I feel grateful for the plentifulness of water in my life – appreciating yet again the gift I received that day … and this day.