Author Archives: PeterFlorczak

Stuck at Home.

Posted by PeterFlorczak on

Pipe Creek, TX
2020-03-21

For the last week or so I have been trying to figure out what to write.


At first Kim and I thought that we would just figure out ways to make this self isolation thing creative and yes, maybe even a little fun. All of my spring art shows have been canceled, which is the bulk of our income, but still we reasoned that we had enough to live simply but comfortably at our home. So we made of list of all of the activities and projects that we have been putting off. I then ran off to the store to buy the materials to complete them, including a weight bench (all of the gyms were now closed), and Kim bought extra art supplies, as her art classes were also canceled.

Weight bench just staring back at me saying, “Please use me!”


I was going to write something flippant and even funny about how we were coping with it all. Maybe even a photo of us lounging in the sun, and drinking margaritas in the afternoon. Then a few days ago we decided to take a drive in the county and walk along the Medina River in Bandera–one of our favorite places. As we walked along we came to the realization that EVERYTHING is going to change. Would the world take this do-over to make this a kinder-gentler planet, or would we slide in to tribalism and each take our own sides against the “rest?” It’s too early to tell, but I have faith in us that it will be the former.
In August of 1978 the city of Bandera got 14 inches of rain. Fifteen people died, and many of the Cyprus trees, some hundreds of years old, were swept away. Years later a local artist decided to make something beautiful out of the devastation. Below is a picture of Kim standing next to one of them.

Kim standing next to one of the Cyprus trees now made into a piece of art.

I might just keep up this blog as a way to show how we are coping, and from time to time even post a few of my arty photos. Hey, it’s not like I have anywhere else to show them now that all of my camera clubs have also been canceled. This is a time for family and friends, which is all that actually looks at this blog anyway.

Here is one of my images that I was going to show at our last camera clubs competition. I think that it might have been a winner!


So good luck to all of us. Stay strong and healthy and connected.

I’m Home Now 😎

Posted by PeterFlorczak on

Pipe Creek, TX

2020-01-26

I would like to thank everyone who followed along with me on my blog. Thank you for your comments and likes. They made all of the difference in the world to me. It was a perfect trip! Lots of adventures, and a lot of great photos. Hope that you all enjoyed it?

Happy trails til the next time, and always remember that, as John Steinbeck says in “Travels With Charley”, “You don’t take a trip. A trip takes you.”

Ocotillo blooming.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Posted by PeterFlorczak on

Alpine, TX

Lost Alaskan RV Park

2020-01-25

So now I am on my way home. Besides I really really needed a shower before coming back into contact with humans.

I drove west out of the park on Hwy FM 170 toward the town of Presidio. Considered by many to be one of the 10 most beautiful drives in the USA. It did not disappoint.

The views were simply stunning

I made several stops along the way. The first was a walk into the Closed Canyon. I had the place all to myself so as the canyon got narrower there was a kind of eerie, mystical and quiet beauty to the hike.

From there I went on to the Hoodoos. A free form hike among the giant monoliths.

An now I am back in civilization. I drove north to Marfa–the California of the Southwest- with its trendy cafes and art stores, but I was not ready to socially roam, so I headed onto Alpine where I found a nice quite out of the way RV Park with a warm shower and WiFi.

Ah Civilization! I have mixed feelings about it. Sometimes I think that I should have been born in the 1800’s to roam the earth like Mark Twain did, only with a digital camera and a computer and my music player and my iPhone and……….

Thanks for traveling along with me.

I ABSULTELY LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE

Posted by PeterFlorczak on

Big Bend State Ranch

Lower Madura Campground

2020-01-22

I arrived yesterday afternoon and this couldn’t have been more what I was looking for! There are 12 primitive campsites without utilities and NO other campers. I have had the place to myself for 3 days. I have gone for walks and mountain bike rides. Discovered abandoned ranch houses, walked along the Rio Grande River AND surprise surprise they allow campfires here. There is a burn ban in effect for all of the surrounding counties but not in the State Ranch. So I had a wonderful fire on my first night that was cut short by a few desert sprinkles, which have only helped the 3 foot tall Big Bend bluebonnets start to grow. They are everywhere, but mostly along the roads. I wish that I could stay a week instead of 3 nights. I am sure that it will be a spectacular year for wildflowers.

The Big Bend bluebonnets are everywhere

A fire and a hardy meal. Can you beat it?

Last night I looked at the calendar and saw that the Milky Way would be visible from 5:30 am to 6:30. I told myself if I got up I would try to photograph it. Of course I got up at 5:25, looked at the temperature, and it was 35 degrees outside. Still a promise is a promise so I turned on my new heater, dressed warm and went outside. I think that the cold had scared away the clouds, because there was not a one in the sky. It is early on the season for the Milky Way, but I had great fun trying. When I was done a warm van and a cup of hot coffee was waiting.

A clear dark sky, and a shooting star too.

For my last day I drove down the road the to the hike/bike Contrabando Trail. It was hot and sunny with a cool breeze blowing. The views were stunning, but by the time I got back to camp I was so tuckered our that I laid down and took a nap. Don’t judge me!

That’s my campsite. Can you see the van in the bottom right?

I ABSULTELY LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE!!!