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Courtesy Toyahvale Desert Oasis |
Darrel and Neta
Rhyne run the Toyahvale, Desert Oasis - Outfitters for just about
anything you'd like to do in Toyahvale
/ Balmorhea.
They're just a stone's throw south of the park entrance - look for
the eye-catching red and white-striped diver's flag painted on the
side of the building. Originally from Corpus Christi, Darrel knows
SCUBA.
The Rhynes report that during the summer they outfit the summer crowd
(swimmers, snorklers and SCUBA divers) and the winter audience consists
of mostly divers. They sell and rent all the necessary gear and they
can outfit anyone. Certification is offered as well. |
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The
pool at Toyahvale
Water courtesy of San Solomon Springs
Photo
Courtesy of TxDoT |
Even non-swimmers
can appreciate the beauty of this natural place with both the Davis
and Barrilla Mountains serving as a southern backdrop. Toyahvale is
where you can camp, swim, SCUBA DIVE, bike, hike, bird watch, or just
sit back and enjoy the scenery and the beautiful West Texas sunsets.
The Rhynes had lived in Martin Dies Jr. State Park in East Texas,
but Darrel was transferred to Balmorhea as Park Superintendent. They
arrived in 1984 with their three children and found that they all
thrived in West Texas. They also found (after adjusting to the local
flora and fauna) that they didn't want to leave.
Operating the Oasis since 1989, the Rhynes see themselves as local
hosts to visitors from all over the world. They have gathered as much
history of the area as they've been able to find - dispensing it on
request to the curious. They've even had a visitor from the Fiji Islands
(who probably wanted to see the novelty of water surrounded by land).
The Oasis lives up to its name and the Rhynes share their home with
"Paisano Sue" - the resident roadrunner who nests in the backyard
and has raised several broods. |
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Courtesy Toyahvale Desert Oasis |
Neta is Native-American,
belonging to the Cherokee Nation and a direct descendant of Cherokee
George.
She has written a book about their West Texas experience and is now
working on a second. One story describes earning college tuition money
for her daughter by capturing live rattlesnakes (see Neta's
Snake Tale) and it also teaches the importance of measuring your
snake-catching tools before venturing out.
© John
Troesser
June 2002 |
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