Left to right, Stephanie Murphy, Jennifer Jones and Stephanie Jones met by chance at Big Bend National Park. Courtesy of Stephanie Jones

While taking our anniversary trip to Big Bend National Park in March 2021, my husband and I decided to hike one final Texas trail on Saturday. Jacob and I traveled from our home in San Antonio. We had done four trails on Friday, so we were tired. We chose the Window Trail, a 5.6-mile round trip. When we got to the end, we struck up a conversation with a few other couples who had been admiring the view. I came to discover that I, Stephanie Jones ’06 (MS ’08), was in the presence of Stephanie Murphy ’87 and Jennifer Jones ’87. They hailed from Austin, Texas, where my husband and I used to live. Both ladies attended the TCU-Wisconsin Rose Bowl in 2011, as did I. Both of them attended the TCU-Oregon Alamo Bowl in 2016, as did I.

Seriously, what are the odds: Another Stephanie. Another Jones. Twenty years and multiple possible interactions later — we meet at the Window in Big Bend.

Get outside and go frogs!

Tell us about a time you met another Horned Frog in the wild. Write a comment below or email tcumagazine@tcu.edu