In reading the info from the Mason Chamber of Commerce, I thought you might be interested in some statistics. Mason County is 932 square miles. (In case you're mathematically challenged like John is, that's approximately 30 miles by 30 miles.) In 1930 the population of the county was 5,511 (no city pop. -the city of Mason wasn't incorporated until 1945). By the 2000 census the population was 3,738 with 2,134 living in the city of Mason. (I did NOT mistype... the pop. DE creased - it's tough country out here! Using my rough math, that's about 1/2 a person per square mile outside the city.)
According to the booklet, ALL (the booklet has "ALL" in bold, capital letters - it's just not something I decided to add) ALL the "extensive county roads are unpaved" (just gravel/dirt) with most running through ranches and are "used by the local cattle as highways". It turns out some of the state roads are also used as cattle highways. When we went to Doss the other day on a state road, we went over at least 15 cattle guards. Considering that almost every truck has a deer guard on the front, one might assume the roads are also used by the deer (of which we've seen more than we have cattle).
Although the state road to Doss is paved, they don't seem to believe in bridges. (Am not sure whether it's from the lack of rain or the lack of funds...) Instead you'll come to a sign that says "DIP", then the road will go down over what must as some point be a "stream bed". At the bottom you'll see a "Flood Gauge" sign to mark how deep the water is or isn't. (Rain days in Texas take on a whole new meaning.) Because this is Texas "hill country", there are a LOT of "DIP" signs on the road to Doss.
Back at the Habitat site, the work team has now moved on to sheet rocking the cathedral ceiling. Obviously, our team leader thinks this is going to be a LOT of fun.
According to the booklet, ALL (the booklet has "ALL" in bold, capital letters - it's just not something I decided to add) ALL the "extensive county roads are unpaved" (just gravel/dirt) with most running through ranches and are "used by the local cattle as highways". It turns out some of the state roads are also used as cattle highways. When we went to Doss the other day on a state road, we went over at least 15 cattle guards. Considering that almost every truck has a deer guard on the front, one might assume the roads are also used by the deer (of which we've seen more than we have cattle).
Although the state road to Doss is paved, they don't seem to believe in bridges. (Am not sure whether it's from the lack of rain or the lack of funds...) Instead you'll come to a sign that says "DIP", then the road will go down over what must as some point be a "stream bed". At the bottom you'll see a "Flood Gauge" sign to mark how deep the water is or isn't. (Rain days in Texas take on a whole new meaning.) Because this is Texas "hill country", there are a LOT of "DIP" signs on the road to Doss.What? No pictures of Doss? Sorry, all we could find was a nondescript feed store and a Lutheran Church (just envision a stereotypical church with a steeple).
Back at the Habitat site, the work team has now moved on to sheet rocking the cathedral ceiling. Obviously, our team leader thinks this is going to be a LOT of fun.
