Big Bend National Park

When we planned this stop I didn't realize there was a state and a national park.  We did the river road, an easy 4x4 road.  First stop was at St. Elena Canyon, a 1.5 mile hike through the canyon.  Really impressive.  We then made a few more stops, one was at the abandoned Mariscal Mine where they mined for mercury.  Then stopped at the hot springs, finally a stop at the Rio Grande Store for ice cream.  A nice day riding.

Tomorrow we plan to relax and leave for Davis Mountain state park for 3 nights.

Local sites

Yesterday we stayed around the area.  Went to the Terlingua ghost town which was the site of an old mercury mine and abandoned a long time ago.

Thought Ella would like this yellow convertible

These are differents versions of the sunset at our campground.

Just spent the rest of the day relaxing.  Today we went into Big Bend National Park and spent the day.  I'll have pictures of that up later tonight if the internet doesn't break again.

Desert Pinstripes!

Spent the day yesterday in Big Bend State Park.  Nice but dry, last year was a record drought.  Took the jeep on a 6 mile 4x4 trail.  Got my first pinstripes, but that's why I bought a used jeep.  Was in 4x4 Low most of the trail.  Glad I have skidplates since I scraped quite a few times, I need a lift!
Took a hike up over and into a canyon.  Really tough going down into the canyon with the loose rocks.  Walked around a while in the arroyo, found the springs.  Couldn't find the loop trail out so had to climb up out the way we came in.  Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
The drive into the park is 27 miles on a rough gravel road.  Drove into Presidio and found a catholic church so was able to make mass.  Got back after dark, Cindy cooked spaghetti with deer meat, wine, yumm..
It was a nice day but long and tiring.  This morning I cooked bacon and Hebert eggs, yumm.
We plan to see the Terlingua ghost town then come back for a $5 buffet at the campground then relax.
Tomorrow we'll go into the National park.  That may take a couple days.

Into our second week and having FUN!

Big Bend State Park

Finally made it to Big Bend!  Left Del Rio at 8:15am, stopped just before Alpine for lunch (pears, apples, peaches, cheese, and french bread).  The drive down from Alpine was really nice but 1 section had some pretty steep climbs.  I was in 1st gear and 28mph one time!
Checked into the campground, really nice.  Took a drive into the state park for some quick pictures.  Tomorrow we'll go deeper into the park for some hiking and jeep trailing.

Cindy is looking across the Rio Grande into Mexico

Yes, Cindy is actually driving in the mountains

Cindy really wants to walk across into Mexico

The view from our campground

Law West of the Pecos- Judge Roy Bean presiding!

Had a nice day today, rode out to Langtry.  Surprised at how small the town was.  One of those blinkers, blink and you'll miss it.  The visitor center was really nice and the bar/courtroom was really nice.  There was a nice cactus garden with displays of quite a few different cacti and trees.  After lunch we rode back into Del Rio to the Val Verde Winery for a tour and a few bottles of vino.  Tomorrow morning we leave early, well after 8am anyway, for LaJitas to spend 4 days at Big Bend.  Won't have cell phone service but I think the campground has wifi.  Fixing to bbq a steak and sweet potatoes with french bread for dinner to celebrate the end of our 1st week.

Law West of the Pecos, Judge Roy Bean

Inside of the bar/courtroom

Pecos River