: I was thinkin' more along the
: lines of ocotillo (whip-like, and covered
: with NASTY LONG THORNS) or mesquite, or
: ironwood- all tenacious buttwhoopers...

I spent most of 1977 in Alpine running the food services at Sul Ross State ... so I'm reasonably familiar with all them thangs. It's too cold up here for any of them, but otherwise it's very similar ... lots of rocks and sand and bitin' an' stingin' critters, and vistas that go on for a hundred miles.

Pickett

Ps: If you need a holder while you "discuss issues" with all those cretins, let me know. I've got some bodacious rubber gloves (wouldn't want to get my hands dirty, you know) and will be glad to help.