Texas Eclipse 2024 Day 4: Wildflowers

The early night made it easy to wake up early, and I’d read about a scenic drive nearby that was rumored to get packed on the weekends during springtime–how crazy could it get with a boost from eclipse crowds? Trying not to wake anyone else up, I did manage to spot their longhorn on the way to the car.

Sunrise with cattle at the ranch

On the drive there I started fiddling with the radio, and sure enough had my choice between modern and classic “Jesus jams” for a Sunday morning. Stopping at a field of bluebonnets, I tried my hand again at a photoshoot, with mixed results.

Blue bonnets by the roadside

The Willow City Loop lived up to its reputation, both in beauty and in their fear of crowds. Just as I was starting to drive the loop and admiring a scenic overlook of cliffs and the valley below, a police officer stopped me to explain the rules: no stopping, no getting out of the car. I could totally understand that if there was a traffic jam and thousands of people, but for once I was the early bird and had beat the crowds. Other than the occasional car approaching from the other direction, I practically had the road to myself. And it was a glorious drive–more bluebonnets, other wildflowers, the occasional cows, some rock formations, etc., etc. When “All Creatures of Our God and King” came on, I cranked up the volume and rolled down the windows to soak it all in. Soon enough, the loop was over and I returned to the ranch via different backroads and saw the locals going to their morning worship services.

Overlook at the start of the Willow City Loop

Willow City Loop

The day was spent with my friends at the ranch, and in the afternoon we began the work of assembling my tent. I’d been carefully scouting the ground for the most level, clear spot I could find, and wanted to make sure I claimed it before the others arrived. Papa Koenig had found this unclaimed 8-man tent at church, and while most of it was a standard tent setup, the last few poles truly took a village to figure out how they came together. We also lucked out that their golf cart could get close enough to the tent that we could use its power source to pump up the air mattress inside the tent–a detail I hadn’t considered ahead of time but could only really be done that way. I continued to help them prep, pausing when I heard President Nelson was about to give his talk at the close of General Conference. I didn’t think there would be any reception at the ranch, but as I sat on the steps of their casita looking over the ranch and the distant hills, I was grateful to listen to his words and the stunning announcement of more temples. I’ve come to expect it from President Nelson, yet it still stuns me every time both in number and in locations. And it was kinda special to be in Texas as a second temple was announced for the Houston area.

Tent with a view

As the other guests started arriving that afternoon, we introduced ourselves by how we were connected to the sisters. I know my friend through an interfaith friend group that we’ve dubbed St. Charlie’s Angels after the church we met through (St. Charles of Borromeo Catholic Church), so naturally my faith came up early and often. At sunset, my friend drove a group of us to a grove of oak trees including one they dubbed the “mother tree,” sharing stories of her visits growing up and coming to visit her grandparents. Enjoying the golden hour of light, a few of us opted to walk back to soak it in, and arrived in time for a brisket dinner with the fellow campers. It turns out the group I sat with were avid cyclists and one was also from Arlington, so we had plenty to talk about. 

Golden hour at the "mother tree"

the angels

Walking back to the ranch house

It had been sunny and clear all day, but the weather forecast was uncertain for the big day. Still, we went to bed hopeful, and feeling the hard tufts of grass under my tent I was so grateful I’d opted for the air mattress to absorb all those bumps.