First leg of the trip to the 2016 CASI Chili Cook-off

This year as in 2014, I had to make two trips in order to be able to attend the Chili Cook-off.

I had expected to leave at the latest by Friday, October 28th.  However, I had ordered an Instant Canopy that was supposed to arrive by October 25th and never did.  It was a small 7 x 5 canopy that I could put up by myself as the larger ones would have required assistance. Before I left, I had to do early voting amongst many other things that delayed my departure.

I did not arrive until Sunday, October 30th and by that time it was too late to get my favorite camping spot. The people that got my space had arrived on Thursday, October 27th.  Seems that each year chiliheads get there earlier and earlier to secure their prime piece of real estate.  Even the Guys camp that traditionally arrive the Sunday before decided to come a day early.

The Guy's camp was very popular this year as they had a big screen TV with the Cowboy's game and later the World Series.  It may not be politically correct to say that baseball bores me...but it does...I actually fell asleep during the transmission of the last game...and I welcomed the sleep even in the mist of all the hollering.

This year I once again decided to car camp as I never did find my tent, only the poles, and rainfly.  I did, however, take my shower tent, my folding four-foot table, and one chair.

MsBelinda's 2016 camp. Photo courtesy of Frann.

I have been known to misplace keys, cameras amongst other items.  Most I find, others not so much. This year I misplaced my camera so I lost a lot of photo opportunities.

Monday, October 31st was Halloween but there were not as many Trick or Treaters as in prior years. The locals bring their children as there are more people here than in Terlingua, Lajitas or Study Butte combined.

I had to return home so I was unable to attend El Dia de los Muertos celebration at the Terlingua Cemetery.  Frann, a well-known area resident was kind enough to share her pictures with me so I could post them on my blog.

In a way, it was a good thing the canopy I ordered did not arrive and that I never was able to find my tent.  The night of the Day of the Dead celebration a fierce storm took place complete with lightning, severe winds and flash flooding.  I do not think either one would have survived.

I am told that everyone was running for cover to their vehicles and all you could hear was car doors opening and closing.  The next day there were a lot of destroyed canopy and shade shelters along with some ripped tents stacked by the trash bins.

Back in 2013 we also had a rain event and I remember getting water inside of my cheap tent. This year it rained a lot more and in a shorter amount of time.  Another one of my friends said it was ankle deep and she barely had time to react. She grabbed her little dog and sought shelter in her car.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.