We're still not quite done with 'old man' Winter here, as you can see by these threatening storm clouds over the Chiso Mountains, but the temperatures seem to be slowly rising, we even had a couple of low 80's this week!

A week ago these cacti only showed the faintest black dots if you looked very carefully, but look at them now! Those are definitely buds!

It just amazes me to see some of these Prickly Pear sport large bite marks and have big chunks (including spines) missing.
They're an important resource for many animals because of its high water and nutrient content. 

          

During winter, black-tailed jackrabbits and desert cottontail rabbits eat the pads, somehow avoiding the spines or biting the spines from the pads and Packrats feed on them by peeling only the surface layer. In most cases not all of the pads are eaten and the cactus produces new pads in the spring and early summer. 
Pads that fall off can sprout roots from any place the areoles (where spines are attached) touch the soil.

Talking about food, I was inspired by my Italian neighbour, and new friend, Rita, to try my hand again at baking some Biscotti.
They never come out quite like the store-bought stuff, more chewy and less risen, but I like that better anyways!
I threw in some trail-mix that was getting a little old and I thought they were very good.

As you might recall, we had a full campground due to the annual Bikefest. Fortunately, the weather cleared and it stopped raining so most of their rides and activities could take place as planned.

                                                        

Like the traditional (old) bike-toss!  
This weird custom takes place after the daily rides and under influence of liberal quantities of beer.

                   

The event is sponsored by the Big Bend Brewing Company but the one James is holding up, one that we occasionally have 'in stock', is actually more appropriate. It's called Fat tire!

                                   

We're starting to take care of some truck and RV maintenance since April is approaching fast and there are still a few things on the to-do list that need to be replaced and or repaired.

 

For example: the (front) shocks of the truck .....

                               

A little tight to get to but not too bad and something that James could do himself in a couple of hours.

We're waiting on a couple of break pads and a new power inverter for the truck to be delivered. 

Hopefully, with a little help from a co-worker, James will be able to do that himself as well.

My most photographed object in Lajitas. It's always pretty, especially during the 'golden hour'!

For the last month we've been enjoying the delightful company of Rita and Tom who were parked one spot over from us.

They've become fast friends, together with John, our neighbor on the other site, and Jerry, an older Texan, on the opposite site of our 'street'.

                    

This week we finally sat down all together for a great Italian meal, cooked by Rita. A delicious red sauce, or 'gravy' as the New Jersey-Italians call it, with sausages and meatballs over pasta.
I'd made a salad and John had brought garlic bread.

What a great evening it was! (nice wine too)

And last night some friends of John, who are staying for a couple of days, joined us for a combined goodbye party /campfire as Tom and Rita were leaving the next day and John and Jerry will be gone later this week as well.
John had made a big pot of Chili, always a winner, and for some reason some hilarious stories about the edibility of Javelinas were among the main topics that evening ..... ?
                     (By the way, it turns out, they are!)

But, all good times must come to an end (?), and the next morning they drove off and left us behind .... :-(

arrivederci!

We hope to see them again, and we might, since they live in Vermont, and that's definitely on our 'to go to list!'
In the meantime, there's Facebook!    :-D