Davis Mountain State Park part deux

That's our coach right in the middle.

Breakfast!

While sipping my coffee this morning Cindy said to look out of the window.  About 8 mule deer
wandered through the campground.  We drove up to McDonald Observatory, about 20
minutes up the mountain.  Took a really nice tour of 2 of the telescopes, The 82" and 170"
reflectors.  The smaller one is about 32' long!  Really neat to be close to almost touch them.  The
larger one we couldn't go in the room but saw it through a glass wall.  Tomorrow night we'll go to
a "star party" they hold a couple times during the week.  We'll be able to look through a few of the
smaller telescopes.  Looking forward to that.  Just had wine, fruit, and cheese and crackers.
Enjoying the nice cool clear weather.

Davis Mountain State Park

We left LaJitas on Wednesday morning about 8:15am.  The weather was nice, a little wind but
about 65 degrees.  Took a leisurely drive through the mountains and plains towards Alpine.  There
were some pretty curvy and steep grades but not too bad.  Drove through Alpine and then 24 miles
up into the mountains to Davis Mountain State Park.  We're 5400 feet high, 7% humidity and got
down to 39 overnight.  But there are TREES here!  Didn't realize how much we missed them.  The
campground is very nice, quiet and roomy.  But this weekend starts spring break so don't know
how it'll turn out.  We seem to be in the "old folks" loop so it might not be too bad.  We'll be here 8 days. 
Yesterday about sunset there was a guy a couple rv's up from us with a guitar singing, dude
was pretty darn good, we'll have  to meet him and hopefully he'll be here a few days to enjoy.
 Today should be in the 70's but windy with a freeze coming Friday and Saturday nights.  But up
here the temperature only peaks for a few hours then starts dropping again.  The sky is very clear,
this is supposed to be the "darkest sky in America".  Today we're going to the Mcdonald Observatory
for a visit and sign up for the Friday night Sky Party where they set up a bunch of large
telescopes to view the stars.
 Well just finished my 2nd cup of coffee and watching the day begin.  We don't have cell or internet at the coach but there is a drive up to the top of the mountain where we can get cell and there is an Interpretative Center a short walk where there is wifi so we can stay connected
somewhat.  I should have pictures later.

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