Are you a Beaner or a U.S. Citizen?

I just got back from Big Bend today--and man what a trip. I really love the mountain country (especially when you have a 4x4 Colorado--heh,heh,heh and all terrain tires that are screaming to get dirty after a sleet and minor snow storm) although it was cold for my taste---it was still good to get out there.

I stayed in Alpine because it was warmer (22 degrees in town and -15 of that in the Big Bend Chisos cabins) and decided to explore the cities (Alpine,Marathon, Fort Davis,Fort Stockten, Terulinga (is that spelled right?) and get ideas for poems and stories.

I so love the idea that it was a hard life to live--the high ideal of cooperation of Mexico and the U.S....when it seemed that there were no borders defined out there--that color didn't mean anything, but your word.

I went EXTREME muddying out on some flats along some old ghost towns because I wanted too and took some awesome photos. IT was windy with a wind chill factor of 22 (ouch) the iron cold gripped my face...

After a day in the flats and in the moutains and some hiking out by Mules Ear and Santa Elena (I started REALLY early)--I headed back to Alpine and was stopped by the Border Patrol (deep breath)

The first question are a U.S. citizen?

Yes.

Where you from?

Rio Grande Valley. Edinburg, Texas---

Did you cross into Mexico?

No..wait--what?

Why is there mud on your truck?

Uhm...I went muddying in Big Bend (picture my huge honking receipt on my wind shield that says Big Bend good for 10 days) and it snowed and some parts of the flats were watery.

Is this your truck?

Yes. I pay for it, but it is registered under my mother's name.

Why?

Because I did not have credit at the time and needed someone to sign it for me.

Let me see you license and pull over.

1 hour later and a search of my vehicle and tool box and more questions---nothing.

Where do you go to school (they asked me this 4 times AND THEN they finally ask me my major)

English and History (I realized when I said English how that sounded)

English you say?

English Literature--and His...

Where?

UTPA.

Oh.

You can go.


Now as I moved to get back into my truck the entire time both Agents are acting like I'm about to do something and have their hands on guns.

Naturally, I'm scared (not as scared when I almost ran into Yogi though--another story)--look all I want to do is get back in my truck and get out of here--your making me nervous with your twitchy fingers.

I checked out--can I go?

Yes. (I was also nervous b/c I DID/do have a warrant for a speeding ticket)

Needless, to say I was a bit upset....so I went all the way around through Marathon traveling an extra 40 miles to avoid Hardy and Laurel.

Seize the fish.