Shari and Boyd Bessire try to leave their home in Wyoming each year in October, before the first snow flies, when winter temperatures can already be zero or below. They’re bound for central Texas, where temps will often be sixty degrees or warmer. During their six weeks-long journey, the Bessires enjoy stops at Copper Breaks State Park, Abilene State Park, Lake Mineral Wells, Caprock Canyon and Palo Duro Canyon, before parking their 34 ft fifth-wheel travel trailer at their destination: South Llano River State Park (SLRSP) near Junction, TX in Kimble county.
After wintering in other areas of Texas, “Boyd and I came to visit SLRSP one year and stayed so long that the staff asked us if we would like to come back and volunteer!” Shari said. Since the Bessires had both retired from careers working with the public, they opted to change course and offer their help primarily in the park’s maintenance areas. Beginning in 2003, every year they arrived for work in early December and usually stayed for five months.
But things don’t always go as planned. “Our winters in WY are usually very snowy! The winter of 2015 we were getting ready to head south and didn’t get out in time. We had drifts of snow over our car so deep that we could only see the antenna! It took several days to clear a path and have enough snow melt before we could pull our 5th wheel out.”
Kimble county is particularly known for its excellent birding, the number of varieties of birds that nest in the area and others that migrate through. SLRSP has some of the best bird blinds in the county, used by both amateur and professional birders and photographers. “We helped build the bird blinds at the park. There were many volunteers and staff that cleared a place to put them and get supplies rounded up that were donated and bought. The water features at the blinds were another project that took time to get designed, rocks gathered for them and then built,” Shari said.
Like many visitors, Shari became interested in bird watching when they first came to SLRSP. They met another couple who were expert birders and Shari was excited to see new species as she learned to identify them with the help of her new friends. Through the years, working outside, feeding the birds and cleaning the blinds, the Bessires have met and talked with many visitors, passing along the knowledge they have gained through experience.
In past years, they also cleared areas along the hiking trail to the river, where Boyd installed benches. “Some of the benches he cut out of a tree that had fallen and he would make the bench flat so folks could rest. We had a good time!” Shari recalled.
She noted that as maintenance hosts, “our main job was to take care of the four bird blinds at the park. We also did mowing and painting and Boyd did some work on the vehicles and mowers to keep them in working order. We helped with whatever needed to be done. I did some office work and was involved with the Friends group. I ordered t-shirts, caps and what all we needed to keep going.”
Shari recounts an average day as maintenance hosts. “Our day would start mid-morning by feeding the birds and making sure the fountains were in working order. Usually once a week we would clean the blinds, especially in the spring, and make sure the fountains were clean. We painted the blinds in the down season. We would go to the local feed store and buy the bird seed, then find out what needed to be done for the campground. It might be painting or repairs.” Shari noted that their days were filled with tasks, and many times another volunteer couple would be in a nearby site, so they worked together. “Painting signs was always a job us gals would do,” she said.
Shari and Boyd like to hunt and both enjoy the outdoors, so observing diverse plants and wildlife is a big part of every Texas winter. “We do a lot of hiking, which is something we can’t do in WY, (in the winter) unless we want to be in the snow. Regarding Texas wildlife, “I think the Axis deer are my favorite,” Shari said. “They remind me of the elk we have in WY. One of God’s most beautiful creatures!”
Other sights have been memorably funny or odd. Shari remembers one of the first years at SLRSP. “We were feeding the birds and saw a goat, or we thought it was a goat! Well, come to find out, it was one of the exotic animals that roam the park!” Another time, “we had an ostrich that wandered in the park one day and would run down the road. Then he just left. Maybe he decided it wasn’t his home!”
Shari and Boyd have witnessed several floods on the South Llano River, seeing the fury and destruction of the rampaging water. They worked in the aftermath to get debris cleaned up and to ensure that park visitors could come in and go out safely. “We helped clear some of the trails and roads which were washed out due to the flooding. Boyd would get on the tractor and I in the one-ton and we would find the dirt, gravel and rocks to fix the roads or paths.”
The Bessires reflected on their years as part-time residents of Texas and how those visits have changed their overall life and outlook throughout the rest of the year. “We come to the park because we always enjoy helping and working for the staff. They are wonderful people, both now and years prior! We appreciate each day and have found our second family in Junction, TX.”
While interaction and friendship with park personnel are a joy to the Bessires, because of their closeness, their hearts have also been touched with sadness. Along with staff members and the community, they mourn the unexpected loss of Kimble county native Bethany Randle Martin. “We miss our dear friend Bethany who was the office manager at the park,” Shari said.
Even though the weather in the Hill Country is somewhat cooler than south Texas, the Bessires chose SLRSP because it’s a smaller park with fewer people. “We like the area, the small town, friendly people and the weather is good. We never had any reason to go to another park, when you love where you are and the people you work for and with!”
After 14 years, Shari and Boyd have now “retired” from their volunteer positions. But they continue to be winter visitors to SLRSP, summing it all up concisely: “we still enjoy the park and the friendly folks. Birding, warm weather, no snow! What more could two people ask for?!”
We appreciate all our winter visitors to the Texas Hill Country!
Thanks to Scott Whitener, Superintendent, and Holly Platz, Interpreter, at South Llano River State Park in Kimble county for their help on the articles about Shari and Boyd Bessire of Wyoming and Lynne and Bill Richardson of Canada. For more information about SLRSP, call 325-446-3994 or visit the website: tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/south-llano-river. SLRSP is designated as an International Dark Sky Park.
