|
|
| |
 |
Toyahvale
Desert Oasis
SCUBA shop and San Solomon Springs Outfitter
Neta & Darrel Rhyne
P.O. Box 11, Toyahvale, Texas 79786
(915) 375-2572
oasis@overland.net
Website: www.toyahvale.com/
|
|
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
The
water temperature of San Solomon Springs
stays a constant 74 to 76 degrees
Photo Courtesy 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
pool at Toyahvale
Water courtesy of San Solomon Springs
Photo Courtesy of TxDoT |
|
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.
|
| |
|
|
| Photo
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
Book
Your Hotel Here & Save
Pecos
Hotels
Fort
Stockton Hotels
More
Hotels
|
| |
|
|
