We were down in Big Bend National Park in Texas when it came time to write our annual Christmas letter. The park features beautiful scenery, interesting culture, cacti, and lots of geology. It also features fossils from the Age of Dinosaurs, including a monster crocodile. The crocodile reminded me of one of the characters I created for Christmas Cards, Old Croc. He made it into my Christmas letter and today’s post.
There was also a large leg bone from a duck billed dinosaur. Bone couldn’t resist having his photo taken with it.
Peggy and I celebrated Christmas in 1999 at Big Bend. Not having a Christmas Tree, we used a hanging macrame. Our visit to Big Bend was before Christmas this year, but Peggy was still fired up with her passion for decorating. We found some hand-crafted Mexican Christmas ornaments for sale next to the Rio Grande. Bone, of course, insisted on joining the party. As did Bone’s traveling companion, Eeyore. We visited Peggy’s brother John and his wife Frances after Big Bend. Frances, knitted a Christmas scarf for Bone and donated a ribbon for the donkey.
Just in case you are new to this blog and have never met Bone, a friend of mine, Tom Lovering and I found him in a field of corn lilies when we were backpacking along the Tahoe-Yosemite Trail in 1977. He has been traveling with us ever since. In addition to Tom and me, a number of other people have carried him over the past 45 years on numerous adventures. He has visited over 50 countries. Among his many adventures are a 10,000 mile bicycle trip, a journey in the back of a truck the length of Africa, climbing mountains, and deep sea diving. He has travelled on the Amazon, attended a Presidential Press Conference, and been blessed by the Pope in St. Peter’s square. Four years ago he backpacked with me 750 miles down the PCT in celebration of my 75th Birthday, meeting numerous through-hikers along the way.
Peggy, I, Bone, and Eeyore want to wish you and your family a joyful Christmas and a great 2023.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Great post Curt. Merry Christmas and happy travels.
Thanks, Andrew. Appreciated. And right back to you. –Curt
Bone never has looked so spiffy as he does with that scarf. He’d need it down here for sure; we may have escaped the ice this time around, but it’s been cold enough to make the Gulf steam and windy enough to empty the bays.
That said, I’m equally fond of the photo of Bone standing with Big Bone. Give him my best, and be sure that I’m wishing you and Peggy the best Christmas ever. Here’s to a new year filled with adventures!
Bone says “Thank you, Linda. And a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2023 to you!” Peggy and I share his thought. 🙂
That is a great scarf! In enjoyed the red Christmas scene, too. Merry Christmas to you all. Here’s hoping you find health and laughter in 2023, and many safe miles on many roads. ❤
Merry Christmas to the four of you! Your blog brings me and my husband great joy. Wishing you happy trails in 2023.
Thanks. If we can bring a bit of joy into people’s lives, the blog is succeeding. 🙂 Have a great 2023. –Curt
Merry Christmas and jingle on!
(and what fun to read and travel along with you two!)
Thanks! And here’s to a great 2023 and many more, humorous and pithy posts. 🙂
To you and yours as well
Thanks Tim. Here’s to a great 2023 with lots of photography.
Happy Holidays Curt & Peggy! 2️⃣5️⃣👼🎄🌟
Thanks Cindy. Here’s wishing you a great 2023!
Happy days and many years ahead Curt and Peggy.
🌟 🎄 Happy holidays! 🎄🌟
Thanks Agatha. –Curt
Merry Christmas, Curt and Peggy. Hope you have a fun 2023. 🙂
Working on it, Dave. 🙂 You too.