Hopelessness has no place in the Trailverse!
And taking stock of the situation… the fact that Mark doesn’t grow facial hair. Am I the only one that wonders about that? And the fact that he’s been wearing that same damn pink shirt for over a year now? Even the cactus behind JJ is expressing itself…
The Daily Trail 
That’s because Mark’s sweat smells like the Great Outdoors!
Meanwhile, Allen continues to fill the strip with patronizing pablum: “Some mines never produce any gold at all.” Really?! You mean everybody didn’t become rich? (Say, didn’t JJ and Leola ALREADY COVER THIS?)
Well, to be “totally transparent”, I was almost ready to ditch the wife and home, buy a burro, and make my fortune in the Sonora Desert. Whew! Good thing I’m closely following this strip. Allen saved me from near-certain disappointment and embarrassment.