Don Quixote de la RV, and the Pagan Giants, Pagan Road Trip post three

Desiring the warmth of the returning sun we set out for Fredericksburg Texas. Driving in west Texas requires the ability to see the beauty in stark flat landscapes; Mile upon mile of open space, each small hill teasing us with the expectation of a new vista only to encounter more open country.

I once had a teacher who claimed “you can find the Zen in everything except driving across Texas”. I find myself soothed however by the knowledge that here Gaia is undisturbed, restful and touching the horizon in all directions.

Our overnight stop in the small town of Littlefield Texas left me awash with gratitude towards the residents of this small town. We spent the night in the towns FREE RV Park. Named for the town’s favorite son this park provides all the amenities, power, water and dump station that expensive parks offer, for no charge. In the back of my mind I have always considered Texas as somehow the land of unfriendly small towns that are specious of visitors, I could not have been more wrong. The greatest thing I have experienced so far on this trip is the breaking down of my own perceptions and ideas about places, communities and people.

After a restful night we continued our journey through Texas. As the flat lands gradually gave way to gently rolling hills we approached Sweetwater Texas. In the distance we could see towers looming in all directions. Privately I thought, ‘great some big coal burning power plant close by’. My mind went to the destruction caused by our continued reliance on fusel fuels; my inner Wiccan warrior was incensed.

As we came closer, once again I could have not been more wrong; we were surrounded by a wind farm. These giants of renewable energy, standing in the middle of Texas, as testament to a new ethic in power generation. With each turn of the blades my pre-conceived notions about Texas were wiped away. This modern day Don Quixote was confronted with the fallacy of his own perceptions and came away a better person as a result.

Next stop San Antonio for a Pagan coffee meet.