The best
testimonial for visiting Balmorhea that you'll never read in a brochure:
We
asked Jason
(Mr. West Texas) Penney if he ever visited Balmorhea and here's
what he had to say:
"My wife, daughter
and I go to Balmorhea every time we get a chance. It's one of my
favorite places around here. I love snorkeling there. There is a
species of fish there known as a Mexican Tetra that is a
smaller relative of the Piranha and has [a similar] appetite.
If you take a tortilla into the water with you, it will disappear
into a cloud of swarming Tetras.
Their max size
is about 5-6 inches. My daughter gets a real kick out of seeing
them and the catfish, turtles and occasional crayfish that dad catches
while snorkeling."
(Editor's note:
We saw
the fish while there and they closely resemble the smaller tetras
found in pet shop aquariums)
Two other fish
that are endangered (maybe they could use some tortillas) are finding
sanctuary nearby in a reconstructed cienega. These desert wetlands
are rare, but occur from time to time. There are several on the
Mexican side of the border. This protected area is off-limits to
the public while it slowly evolves back into its natural self.
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