Turk's Cap

Evin, the PUPS and I are in our last four days of working at Somerville Lake for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers as gate attendants. We came here thinking that we would open the gate at 6:00 AM and then go back to bed before opening the gatehouse office at 9:00 AM. Close the office at 5 or 5:30 PM and then lock the gate at 10:00 PM. We soon learned that Evin works without leaving the gatehouse from around 5:45 AM till the 10:15 PM closing. I usually work from around 7:30 AM till around 11 or 11:45 PM. On weekends we found that together we were working a combined total of 32 to 34 hours per day!!!!!!! I would fix Evin a hot meal and often two hours later she had not eaten. The other Friday night I fixed a great homemade pizza. It took me over three hours to eat three pieces of pizza. 

Needless to say, we are leaving!!!!

 

Not all has been negative. We have met and worked with some really nice people. The government cutbacks have limited the staff numbers here and many employees are doing jobs alone that three people used to do. The Ranger staff has been cut in half for the busy season.

 

Knowing that we are leaving in a few days I am stopping on my compliance patrols and taking photos of one of my favorite flowers that grows wild in the park and in Texas...

 

Turk's Cap

Turk's Cap is a shrub or bush whose scientific name is Malvaviscus arboreus. One can eat the flowers and young leaves raw or cooked. A pink lemonade type drink can also be made from the flowers.The fruit which looks like a small apple can be made into tea or preserves.

This is where these particular Turk's Cap plants were found.

Now, which way do we head from here!?!?!??