We made to Ozona by 11:00 pm on Friday night and decided to hit 2083 in Crockett County. Since rain had just passed through, the toads were out in full force (mainly Scaphiopus couchi), but we only found one snake that night ( DOR C. atrox) on 163 (Juno Rd.). We saw numerous mammals, and I think the highlight of the trip was seeing a porcupine. Don’t you agree, Scott?
The next morning we found an area near the Pecos River to flip some rocks. Well, I got out of the car and started down a relatively steep hill when I lost my footing and got my foot caught between a couple of rocks. I heard a few snaps and cracks, and I went down hard! Needless to say, the trip was over at that point. I am a free climber and have never had any severe injuries from falls, but I could not walk after this one.
I staggered back to the Cherokee and made the 440-mile drive to Houston. My wife is a doctor here, and I wanted her team to look at my leg. We got a flat tire in San Antonio. Saturday was definitely one of the worst days of my life!
I tore some ligaments in my knee and will be on crutches for the next 4-12 weeks. The only thing that I am bummed about is the fact that I had to cut the trip short by a couple of days. I belong near the desert. There is nothing like the smell of creosote after a rain.
Scott, we will head back out there in the spring.
Nathan Hall
Couch's Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus couchi)
