February 25, 2017 Big Bend National Park Adventure

This adventure begins on Monday, Feb 20, and ends Friday Feb 24.

It is a LONG way too Big Bend National Park:  close to 500 miles one way, 10 hours with few stops! It is in the middle of nowhere!

Several months ago Marcella made reservations for us in the only RV park with full hook ups.  Hurray for Marcella!

Temps started in the upper 30's each morning and reached into the upper 90's each afternoon!  June, July, August temperatures will reach over 110 degrees.

There are three distinct areas to the 800,00-plus acres--The River (Rio Grande, of course), the Desert--Chihuahuan, and the Mountains--the Chisos!

The lower areas of the park receive 5-10 inches of rain per year; the mountains up to 20 inches.  It is HOT and DRY!

Over 450 species of birds have been found in Big Bend NP.  Spring migration in late April/May brings the biggest numbers.  The mountains are home to 20-30 black bears that have crossed the river from Mexico (illegals!!) as well as two dozen or so mountain lions.  Alas, we didn't see either of these!  In fact, jack rabbits were the only mammals spotted.  Ok--we did see a dead fox and a dead skunk on the highway, but does that really count?

Tuesday
Jeff and Marcella are hikers!  We are not!  They chose a three mile hike along the River that ended near a hot springs.  We met them at the end of the hike.  We then explored the area around Rio Grande Village which is in the southeast corner of the park.

One of the attractions is the border crossing of Boquillas.  After checking into the Border Patrol station one walks to the River's edge, hires a boat to cross.  Once on the Mexican side one can hire for $5 a horse, burro, or truck to go the three-quarters of a mile into the village of Boquillas, population 200.

Boquillas just nine months ago got electricity throughout the village.  It is home to two very small restaurants, and a few shops that sells trinkets.  It is located in a protected area similar to a national park, and is three hours from the nearest city.

This welcome sign is 60 miles from the location of our RV park.

Did you ever imagine mountains in Texas?

The Rio Grand River

Jeff and Marcella overlooking the Boquillas Canyon

This display of trinkets for sale are brought over early each morning from  the other side of the river.  The Border Patrol  officially ignores the display.  

 Wednesday

 The four of us explored the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive which ends at the Santa Elena Canyon Overlook and River Access.  We viewed many miles of cacti, cresote bushes, ocotillo, and  hills decorated with an array of geologic layers and colors.

At Santa Elena Canyon, there is  a hike that takes one to the 1500-foot tall canyon walls with the Rio Grande River pouring out.  At some points the canyon is only 30 feet across.  Go to downtheroadwego.weebly.com  to read Marcella's description and see pictures of their hike to the mouth of the canyon.

This will be continued on another page as I have just used up all the space!!