05-Nov-2005 -- First actual visit to 33N 96W. Had a new Garmin GPS and decided that 33N 96W needed a close encounter.

Weather was lovely, slight breeze and low 80's. Was able to drive and park within 1.04 miles of confluence.

Just as I arrived a Texas game warden was pulling out of the area. We talked and he kindly informed me that to legally proceed I needed a $48 permit to enter the wildlife management area. In addition it was the first day of Bow hunting season and I would need appropriate orange hat and vest. We talked for a while and I explained the confluence project and geocaching which he had heard of. A good friend of his has done some geocaching. That broke the ice and we started to have a great conversation.

He had a GPS on his dash and showed me where he had just had a dozer make a new road which happens to go toward the confluence. I explained that I had been involved with the GPS system when I served on submarines 40 years ago and since I had driven all the way from Fort Worth he decided that he would give me a break. The hunters that had just entered the area were going in a different direction so I would not interfere with their hunt.

The treck back in was quite a chore. A lot of small diameter trees and brush that was in some areas 4 to 6 feet high. Ideal area for deer and saw a lot of deer trails across the area.

I did bring a machette to cut away some brush but was not needed very much for that purpose but was a good tool to keep limbs out of you face.

It was very evident that the area has been very wet but with the dry spell we have been having the area was very dry and in may places the ground had cracked open. The lake is really going to have to fill up big time for this area to under water.

This is my second confluence today. Did 33N 97W earlier in the day. This one is very much harder and definately one to remember.