The Drought and Other Thoughts

August Heatwave/Drought 2019 South Texas Rio Grande Valley

Hello Wild Ones,

Just as we entered August I felt a glimmer of hope when the Valley received a small cool front early in the month. I gazed at the stars outside while feeling the fresh wind across my face that night. It was hope that the Fall season was finally near. As much as I enjoyed the summer break and low traffic on the streets, I couldn’t help but wonder where all the rain had gone to. Had she disappeared and long gone for a vacation? Maybe settling into the deep brushy hills of the countryside. In a place where no one will find her. Wherever she is, the depletion of rain in south Texas really needs her. Even a small storm for the farmers would be enough to get some relief in their acre long crops. I realized we have been in a long drought for awhile. I got the courage to go out in this summer heat and decided to head to a nearby memorial park. I figured I would have great lighting because of the ongoing heatwave in August. I went there to record some video as well as capture some images. Josefa Garcia Park, is an area dedicated to a 1989 bus crash that killed 21 students. As tragic as it was the site has now been memorialized in their memory. It is a breathtaking park. I arrived around 7:10 p.m. I had plans to meet with my childhood friend at 7:00 p.m. to take photos with him, but quickly realized I had forgotten my memory card and had to head back home to retrieve it, thus getting there at 7:10 p.m. Luckily, it is a nearby drive and didn’t take me long to get the memory card for my camera. I finally arrived at the park and waited…and waited…and waited. Turns out my friend stood me up! It was now 7:30 p.m. and I decided to venture off on my own to see what I could capture. I stood in long pauses gazing over the deep ditch where the bus had landed over 30 years ago. It was a haunting feeling, to think that people lost their souls here. I did a quick prayer and moved along to the higher grounds of the park to get a better view overhead. The heat beat down on my back and I quickly started sweating with each step. I wanted to get a shot of dusk and it’s light against the many mesquite trees. All around me cactus flowers were blooming. They shined a bright and beautiful yellow. I finally found some relief when the sun started to set and felt the heatwave die off and sizzle away. As I waited for dusk to approach which was any minute now I found a hidden patch of cactus. They were gushing with plump prickly pears. They were a crisp burgundy color, juicy, and ripe. I was more at ease as the sun started to slowly go down across the horizon. I drifted along a path alone thinking of how beautiful it feels to be alone with nature and to embrace the colors of the sky when the sun changes them. It was just my camera and me. All my thoughts to myself. I felt so lucky. I shot a picture of a firm August mesquite tree standing tall before me. It was strong, just like me I thought. I snapped a shot of the sun shining through between the branches. “This drought has been brutal.” I thought to myself. I took one last breath and quietly took it all in my heart with rapture. I walked over to my vehicle and got in to leave. I drove off and took a left turn out of the park. The heatwave may have taken my will that day as I drank full gulps of fresh water from my waterbottle but I felt it in my soul that I might have taken a little piece of heaven home with me that day.

Tall Strong Mesquite Tree

Location: Alton, Texas Josefa Garcia Park

Shot with: Kodak Pixpro FZ125

August 2019 Heatwave/Drought