Cozumel

Dec 20th '78 [by Robert Darnell]
The three meskiters are heading to Cozumel. Jerre & Becky are opening their Christmas presents.

Got to Cozumel about 9. Dark, dense jungle, insects, snakes, gators, head hunters, and cannibals. We made it ok to the Sol Caribe, a beautiful hotel and surroundings carved out of the raw jungle. Beach, pool, and grounds you can't believe. Drank some rum, danced some. Really good music. They celebrate Xmas on the 24th. Have a rain forest bar called the hippopotamus which we will check out.

21st
Jerre hit the beach early. Becky and Rawb rode some motor scooters. Saw the El Presidente and a beautiful lagoon. Did not have much trouble with the head hunters and cannibals. Just flexed our muscles and stared them down.

Swam through a winding lagoon with overhanging jungle trees full of boas and monkeys. Also saw 3 toed sloth. Passed a jungle bar with underwater seats. Very cool. Wound up at a beach which was only rocks. Hard to walk on rocks. Water beautiful blue and clear.

Big crisis -- came back to the room and the A/C wasn't working. Hottern' Hades. Complained and the sent up a young fellow who changed out the whole A/C in 30 minutes. Now it's cool cool. Jerre also found some ice. Now if she can get her hair fixed we are going to eat.

We ate a big meal. Becky lobster, Jerre fish, Rob shrimp. Lobster too hot -- Beck and Jerre changed -- Jerre got mad at Rawb; ran back to room 100 mph.

22nd
Got on a boat. Two crew members six passengers. One crew man snorkeled and dove for conchs. He got a bunch. They trolled for swordfish but didn't get any. Then fished over the side and caught a bunch. We sailed through many dangerous reefs and rip tides finally arriving at a wild uninhabited island. After a gorgeous landing we finally got on the beach. They built a roaring pit fire and cooked the fish. We had five dishes and some fruit, cheese, beer, and cake. The beach was beautiful with white powdery sand and clear blue water and palm trees. Not many wild animals just geese, raccoon,
albatross, and sea gulls.

When we got back to the hotel our A/C was out again for the 3rd time. And it was the third time they replaced it. Here's hoping.

They are having a big fish fry down in the jungle but we are going to McDonalds for hamburgers and shakes.

Sat. 23
Rawb got up early and went down to the beach with some coffee. It was really pleasant down there that early. A man and woman from Canada were there exercising and swimming in the cold water. They were health nuts. Jerre and Beck came on down for breakfast and after that we rented a Jeep. Things down here take a long time and there was quite a wait getting the Jeep.

We finally got it and took off on a tour of the island and the Mayan ruins. We stopped at San Francisco beach which was totally unique Mexican. It was nice and pretty. We asked the guy there how to get to the Cedral Ruin and he said the first road to the left off into the jungle. We took it and got about two miles back in there and ran out of gas. The Jeep had been given to us completely empty.

We walked out and back to the beach, took a cab back to our hotel.

Rawb went back with a guy in another Jeep with some gas and we finally got going again.

This time we found our way into the Cedral Ruin. It was not down the first road where we ran out of gas. the people in there were so primitive you wouldn't believe it. They said that they raised bananas for a livelihood.

From there we went to a lighthouse and saw another ruin on the way. This was along the Caribbean side of the island.Very wild with large breaking surf. We saw some iguanas.

Back to the hotel and then into town to buy some t-shirts for Beck and her friends. Jerre had the Montezuma all day but stuck it out and kept going. Rawb got it later in the day and Becky that night. The hotel had a posada and Mexican food festival but we could not attend because of Montezuma. We tried to get something light to eat but couldn't pull it off.

Coming back to the hotel Rawb stopped at bar for bottled Coke and ice for Jerre's stomach's sake. Jerre & Beck went on to room. When Rawb got to room no one was there. He had no key so stood outside holding ice and Coke until ice turned to agua. He was most puzzled but could not scratch his head because both hands were full.

Some time later here came the two who said they had been trapped in the elevator. It wouldn't move or the door wouldn't open, Their rescuer was a small five year old kid who knew the mechanics of elevators.

Christmas Eve Sitting by the Pool at Sol Caribe
Mexican music cha cha chiatcha chi chi chi cha cha chiatcha chi chi chi
Palm trees waving in the breeze coconuts dropping on peoples' heads and fat bellies.

Jerre and Becky and other bathing beauties soaking up the rays. A palm frond covered bar with Mayan boys in yellow pants and white shirts running in and out carrying people rums and Coca Colas and pina coladas.

Two cats are out there playing volley ball in the pool. Many kids are splashing. The flowers and trees and bushes are beautiful red pink yellow, orange green violet and all shades ... Reminds me of the mown grass and mesquite beans at Abilene.

Everybody fritters oiling fixing turning walking running talking twisting looking eating drinking bending stooping stretching. Feliz Navidad.

Exciting wild apple eating contest going on down at end of pool. Whistle blows and contestants try to eat an apple dangling on a string. Squealing yelling snapping -- all striving for the grand prize. The one who eats the most -- if any of his apple in the prescribed time is the grand prize winner. Everyone fighting for the grand prize. Stretch snap gobble bite growl snarl. Tweet -- oh the winner -- What joy -- a six-year-old. The grand prize -- oh joy -- a bottle of Grand Prieur!

***

Running out of gas in the dense jungle while lost looking for the fabled ruin of El Cedral, Rawb used cuss words never before invented -- Jerre had Montezuma bad and could not walk but did anyway. It was so dark and dense back in there even at midday that you could only see small patches of light here and there. We had to carry everything out of the Jeep -- couldn't leave anything because the savages would strip it if they discovered it while we were gone. We started the hike not bravely at all, real chicken. The biggest danger was the tigers that domiciled in that area.

We sweated and strained and walked -- Jerre moaning -- Robert cussing -- Becky swatting at the swarms of mosquitoes. She couldn't stand it any longer so made a mad dash for a spot of light at the end of a long tunnel of vines which luckily was the road. Rawb and Jerre stumbled out sweating and exhausted and Jerre moaning with the Montezuma. We stood there in the open thanking our lucky stars that we had made it out, wondering what would happen next when lo and behold a jungle cowboy in a pickup truck came along and gave us a ride to San Francisco Beach.

On Snorkeling in the Caribbean
The rocks and coral are rough and tough on tender skin and feet. The trick is don't buck the wave action just float with it and pretty soon you're just floating around in there with the fish and eels. Becky saw a six foot long eel and it scared her to death. She came back in like a storm. Rawb went out to see it and sure 'nuff it was a scary thing. You don't bother it -- it don't bother you.
Allegro Nuevo Uno

Christmas Eve at Sol Caribe
We went down to El Presidente for a snack easy on out decimated stomachs. Got a bowl of fiery hot soup and sandwich. Here's hoping. What do you know -- the A/C just went off again. We are going down town to catch the festival if any.

This Christmas Eve is about like any other Sunday night. They all walk around the town square sit and eat fruit and candy off of carts -- they had a party in the town park but they do that every Sunday. Drink Cokes and beer and have hat dances, etc on a raised stage. The city donates baskets which are given away.

They were having a few private pinata parties -- where the kids beat on a stuffed animal with bats and beat goodies out of it -- jolly fun.

No St Nick no Christmas trees, no fireplace -- no presents, no jingle bells -- no Donner no Blitzen no Christmas Dinner -- no church service.

Going to bed hopefully no Montezuma tonight -- get up real early and catch that plane back to Houston -- neat and organized.

Robert's Rush

Travelogue typed here in its original form, date unknown ...


We rolled in here this morning about 5 AM . Not sure what day it is. We banged on the door and got Hunter awake to let us in. We all ... Jerre, Robert, Becky, and, Lisa piled down and went to sleep immediately.

We had been driving all night up from Atlanta through the Cumberland Mountains at Chattanooga and Nashville. It rained all the way and the driving was horrible. Robert kept trying to stay awake and stay on the road. Jerre kept trying to stay awake and keep Robert awake by throwing ice water on his face, head, neck, and back.

Some way they stayed awake and on the road. Becky and Lisa slept on. Jerre kept saying "If you run off the road and kill us, I'll kill you."

Bob would say "Don't do that." And she would throw some more ice water on him.

She would say "Stop awhile and rest." And Bob would say "Naw we ain't gettin' nowhere if we stop."

They did stop at the Nashville and ate some waffles, except Jerre ate some chili. Soon after she asked Rob if those Maalox No 1's, that he is always eating, are any good for belly burn? She ate some and they were.

When they woke Hunter up she was mad as an old wet hen because they were so late. She expected them in earlier, and cooked a whole lot of food, but they didn't show. Anyway, you know how Hunter is when she gets mad: A real Tiger.

They all slept about three hours, then woke up to the smell of bacon, eggs, toast, and coffee. We all got up and ate that good stuff.

We were going to lay around all day and goof off but Hunter had a long list of things for us to do. So, instead of laying around we had to "lay to."

Some of the things Ol' Mom had cooked were chicken, rice, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, pound cake, apple pie, ice cream, coffee, milk, etc. We dang sure didn't go hungry.

While we were eating supper a neighbor told us we could have some fresh tomatoes out of her garden. Ol' Mom gave Robert a large grocery sack which he filled with good ripe fresh tomatoes.

Becky and Lisa laid out in the hot sun to keep a peak on their St Tropaz tans, a'la St Thomas and St John. They wanted the peak to be in bloom when they get back to Houston.

Some people named Bower came by looking for a body. Old Mr. Peavy had died and they felt sure he was at the funeral home down the street. He wasn't there and they wanted Hunter to find him for them. She did.

Jerre, Rob, and Hunter went to Wal-Mart and the grocery store. They got some snacking stuff for the trip to Houston, tomorrow. Hope to get started about six.

End of entry

The Great Deer Hunt

by Robert D Darnell
Dec 7, 1982

Dave and Bob had been talking about going deer hunting up in the out-back around Possum Kingdom Lake all winter and finally the opportunity came.

They took off early in the morning with all their gear and guns. Dave had a belly ache so he went by the veterinarian's and go t some horse liniment from Jan to take. He always takes horse liniment for belly aches.

They swung north up through the out-back through Brenham, Caldwell, Cameron, Temple, and Gatesville. Stopped for some hot bar-b-que at Temple. Stopped at Pancake for some coffee; wondered why any place would be named Pancake. It was shut down.

We headed North all day long through the rugged out-back, through Hico, Stephenville, Graford. Late in the afternoon as the sun's rays were slanting, we came into the Palo Pinto Mountains. We stopped for coffee at an old stage coach inn. Saw Chill Wills.

Game was plentiful all through the out-back and we were chomping at the bit to go hunting in the morning.

Got on into the camp about 4:00, and checked in at the lodge. George Monie wanted to talk about the water district so we visited with him for a while.

We walked out to the big canyon and picked out spots to hunt in the morning, then ate some catfish and early to bed.

At 5:00 the next morning we woke up and put on all out warm clothes. It was just moderately cold, somewhat comfortable. The main thing was it was so dark. But Dave had a flashlight, so we were able to find our way to the canyon.

Each of us settled into a nest of rocks and waited for daylight. At first it was warm enough from having walked but as we sat still it got colder.

Bob stayed until 9:00 and didn't see a deer. Saw a lot of birds, including a long blue heron and heard a covey of quail waking up and doing their morning toilet. They make a lot of popping noises. Sounds like small pump going on and off.

Bob went back to the sales office and waited a while. Dave stayed out till noon. He saw a bunch of does, and a one point buck, but he didn't shoot anything.

After noon they both went back and Bob sat in a deer stand while Dave tried to walk some deer up. He raised some but neither got a shot. They then drove down some roads but no deer were showing, so called it quits.

Everything we touched today either stung, stuck, scratched, sprained, strained, broke, or other wise hurt. Wow, what fun this hunting!

Thursday morning dawned cold gray and threatening. We broke camp and made preparations to head back South of this rough out-back. It's good to get out in the wilderness and rough it every once in a while, but there's nothing like Home Sweet Home.

So, after our awesomely, awfully, anguishingly, agonizingly, hair-raisingly, aimlessy, awkwardly, antagonizingly, astonishingly, anxious experience we arrived home in Houston.


end