Big Bend National park, TX

February 8-12, 2016

To view photos in full size, just click on the first one and then click again to advance to the next photo.

Big Bend National Park, the least visited of the US parks because of its remoteness in the far corner of Texas, is over 800,000 acres and 1200 square miles big!  It is named after the sharp turn taken by the Rio Grande, which marks the border between Texas and Mexico for miles and miles.  What visions are conjured up by the Rio Grande! Pancho Villa, Mexican bandits, pioneering people with indomitable spirit, arid and spectacular landscape, mountains, desert and river...all are subsumed under the Big Bend.

There is a water shortage considered extreme at the moment. Campers are asked to limit themselves to no more than 5 gallons daily and to less if possible. Several days before our stay, there was a fire in the valley which was started by a spark from a power line.  Streams are dry. There is no doubt that Big Bend is under stress...the land, formerly rich, was overgrazed many years ago and is now dust.  The Rio Grande is a trickle in some places.  But the beauty still takes one's breath away!   

The relations between citizens of the bordering countries have been stressed by the post-9/11 restrictions on free travel.  Nevertheless, Mexican people still cross the border and leave their crafts for tourists to buy on the honour system, taking payment in a jar left alongside the merchandise.  Jeezus, the self-described singing Mexican, still serenades people from across the river.  Goats and other livestock ignore the border and need to be rounded up periodically...

 We were able to camp at two of the three campgrounds, being considered too big (!) for the site up in the Chisos mountains.  Camping throughout Big Bend, which is more than 80 miles from the nearest town, is considered primitive:  no electricity, no hook-up for water, pit toilets at two of the three campgrounds.  All well worth it!!!  The scenery is spectacular.  There is simply no other word for it.

We owe our decision to visit Big Bend to our friend Susan Hoover...We are so glad we listened!

Hiking is rewarded by breathtaking views!

Boquillas Canyon

Carmen Mountains at sunset

Mountains known as Mule ears

Burros Mesa Pour-off

where, during a heavy rainfall, thousands of gallons of water would flood down, creating the cylinder shape hollow (for scale, look at how small Dave is!)

Santa Elena Canyon

One beautiful vista after another during our drives through the park! 

And, as an added bonus, a pair of great-horned owls in our campground!