Our Compound

      As mentioned before, our complex is predictably found at the end of the road, a bit more than a mile from the pavement, just south of the ghost town Terlingua. No, it is not a Spartan affair. Quite the contrary, hence the term, "compound". As is quite common in the area, lodging consists of large recreational vehicles ensconced under sun shelter, all "off the grid". This is our base, and guests choosing to stay here have their own private quarters, with the overall complex of living, shop, and garage structures, all centered on the outdoor kitchen and monstrous deck, carefully oriented toward the haunting Chisos Mountains that dominate the skyline. One traditionally looks east for the sun here, both rising and at the end of the day when reflected on the vertical slopes of the mountains in infinitely varied magnificence. Happy hours have seldom known better setting. And, after dark, nary a light intrudes between us and the distant mountains of the Park. As most desert living is oriented toward the great outdoors, much of our time when not wandering will be centered on that wonderful deck, with dining, stories and planning all set against a backdrop of desert mountain panorama.
      Recreational vehicles are a lodging of choice here for a number of practical reasons. Their built-in systems such as power and water inherently lend themselves quite well to off-the-grid applications, a major advantage being their dual-power capability. Most smaller scale alternative energy power systems are based on 12 volt direct current, which can be stored in banks of easily obtainable batteries. Thus most solar and wind generating systems are designed to produce the same 12 volts on which RV water pumps, lighting, and appliances are already designed (for those technically curious, the battery bank capacity is 1400 amp hours, with 60 amps from solar generation, and 30 from wind, at optimum conditions). Many familiar household appliances though are designed for another type of electricity, namely 120 volt alternating current, and so an "inverter" is employed to allow use of computers, tools, the washing machine, etc. A propane powered generator supplements for periods of high demand or inadequate sun. Though an integrated alternative energy set-up requires a bit of oversight on the part of the "system administrator", to the end user (you!) the results are seamlessly like that of home, you turn on the faucet or switch, and things familiar happen. An added reward too of relying on alternative energy, is participating in the future, both in the mechanics and the added consciousness that comes from being acutely aware of the process and resource.
        Being a desert, another commodity too is in short supply ---that liquid one (no, not beer). Given its scarcity, keeping what there is is a strategy for both acquisition and use. It does indeed rain, and at times in the summer, copiously. Taking a hint from the desert that can flood its arroyos after a seemingly small rain, a little surface area can yield a great quantity of water, and so water catchment from the roofs provide the vast bulk of our water. Filtered, many use this source as their only one, though we do supplement from a nearby certified well for drinking water. Though never wasted, we do have a capacity of more than 10,000 gallons when all catchment tanks are full. So yes, you can have a shower, flush the toilet and do your laundry --just don't leave the water running while you brush your teeth . . !
        RV's of course are made for travel, and while these 42 and 36 foot units are set as a more or less permanent installation, the layouts within are consciously "efficient" in keeping with their original mission. All is there for full-time living, but trade-offs are made for space. For instance, beds are full size, but the shower enclosures are compact; the kitchens offer all amenities, but the appliances are generally smaller than home installations, etc. Though you may not have previously spent any time in an RV, we guarantee that you'll feel quite comfortable. Besides, indoors is the place we'll be spending the least time. Turning off the pavement after a wonderful exploration, you'll soon feel like you're coming home. Remember too, there are also delightful options for more traditional lodgings nearby.
    It's the surroundings that provide the meaningful atmosphere, and we feel lucky to have stumbled upon this fine patch smack dab in the middle. We're close enough to the pavement to have easy access, but far enough from to be private enough to feel so. All the same, the neighbors are indeed fine folks and we might just meet some on one of the fine hikes that originate by just stepping off the deck.
 

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