Years ago, when I was a kid, my Dad would drive us out to Five Mile, as The SnK was originally known back in those days. We usually went to The Cuero Place, as my late Sister’s place was known, since it was closer than Five Mile and had a flood control reservoir stocked for fishing.
The Cuero Place became a place for family to get out and enjoy some country time, with fishing, picnics, and other fun. Five Mile was just a cattle operation.
I remember Dad and I driving out to Five Mile, pulling up to the old, double gate and meeting up with his, then, current cattle lease owner, Heine Bade. Dad and Mr. Bade would talk about the operation, Mr. Bade’s successes and trials, and no telling what else. I usually hovered outside of earshot, allowing them “Grown Up Space” to discuss business and polite chit chat.
Little did I think, back then, that the old gate would eventually open up to something bigger than a cattle lease. Little did I think then, that someday, pictures of The Gate at The SnK would be posted on the yet to be developed internet. Little did I think that The Gate at The SnK would someday welcome a construction crew that would build The SnK Homestead, three generations of Hunters that have become family, The Native Prairie Association of Texas members and supporters, Texas Parks and Wildlife Biologists, and others.
Little did I think that someday, Native Black Land Prairie and Saline Prairie remnants would be identified on The SnK, nor did I ever think that someday so many species of native plants would be identified in 1.5 hours, or so. Little did I think that someday, Selena and I would live at The SnK, making plans to eventually leave it to The Native Prairie Association of Texas, so that The SnK will be maintained as is.
These days, though, I think of what my Grandfather, “Pops” Victor Henry Schindler, left to hopefully future grandchildren, and how I’ve been blessed, and honored, to partner with Selena in developing The SnK into the Wildlife Reserve that it now is. We are not owners, we are caretakers of such a ruggedly beautiful piece of Texas.
I think that Pops would be proud. I know that Selena and I are.
