Santa Elena Canyon Trail

For our last day in Big Bend National Park we drove the Ross Maxwell scenic drive to Santa Elena Canyon. We took the relatively short hike into the canyon. The trail information noted that the trail crossed the Terlingua Creek and that hikers should be prepared for water or mud though the creek was usually dry.  Reading that, we thought the creek would be knee high at best. Ha! 

We simply stared at the lady climbing out the creek on the other side, water almost up to her waist. Hmm, do we really want to do this? Just as we were deciding against the crossing, we heard other hikers saying that if you didn't want to get wet, you could walk up the riverside a bit and cross at a dry spot. It was a bit mountain goat hilly at that spot, but it was dry. The park service frowns on crossing there. However, I took the position that they should have had a better place to cross or at least a better warning about the water depth. Too bad the rowboats from Boquillas weren't around!

Terlingua Creek flowing into Rio Grande

Where Are We Going Next?

Window Trail

The helpful folks at the Southwinds Marina in Del Rio, TX, suggested that we take the Window Trail in the Chisos Basin area of Big Bend National Park. While I'm not crazy about hiking uphill on the return, this hike wasn't too bad. The "window" at the end was pretty cool too. We were glad to be getting off the trail shortly after noon. Even though it was March, the day was getting warm. I would not like to do that trail, or just about any trail in Big Bend for that matter, in the heat of summer.

The Texas mountain laurel was in bloom when we were there. The bushes smell wonderful, a bit grape-like. The insects and butterflies were loving it. 

Texas mountain laurel along the trail

Butterfly and Texas mountain laurel

Mexican jay

End of trail

Peeking out the window

The climb back

High mountains

Where Are We Going Next?

Crossing the Rio Grande

From Big Bend National Park you can visit Boquillos, Mexico as long as you have your valid passport. There is a legal pedestrian crossing at the Rio Grande. You can wade across the river, or you can be rowed across the river. Given that the water was waist deep for me, we paid the $5 round trip for the rowboat ride. 

We then walked the half mile or so to the village of Boquillos, accompanied by our guide. You pretty much are assigned a guide for the day before you even know it. You can ride a burro or horse if you want to pay the extra money. The whole village survives on tourism. I think every child in the village from toddler to around age 12 was selling $5 friendship bracelets. Quite frankly, it got a bit old rather quickly.

We had an enjoyable lunch and perused the vendor stalls that lined the main street. Just about every household had a stand. Buy a souvenir. Buy a souvenir.

With everything being online these days, we didn't even get a stamp in our passport book upon our return. They scanned the passports and connected us to a customs officer in El Paso. No lines when we were there. However, we gathered that the upcoming spring break would be a totally different story.

We can say we went to Mexico for lunch.

Crossing the river

The burros

Lunch time

Street view

A horse walked into a bar...

View from the other restaurant (only two in town)

Waiting for business

Heading home

In bloom

Where Are We Going Next?

Big Bend National Park

 Big Bend National Park is big. As the park service points out, it's bigger than the state of Rhode Island, and the park isn't even close to the largest national park in size. Driving to one of the visitor centers is going to require somewhere around 30 to 45 minutes from your entry point. Of course, if you're pulling over to take some photos or just pausing to take in the view, it might take a bit longer. 

Oh, and one more tidbit of advice from the park service, keep your gas tank at least half full. The power grid isn't known for reliability in this remote area, and no power means the gas pumps won't be working. There is fuel available in the park and in Terlingua. We just made it a point to top off the tank frequently.

Lunch stop

Coyote just crossed the road...no road runner though

Old windmill at Sam Neil Ranch

Sam Neil Ranch homestead remains

Where Are We Going Next?

Closed Canyon

We arrived in Terlinqua, TX, in the early afternoon. We decided that we had enough time to drive TX 170, Camino Del Rio, into Big Bend Ranch State Park and hike the Closed Canyon Trail. 

TX 170 between Lajitas and Presidio is considered among the top 10 scenic drives in the USA. I'm not sure who makes that determination, but we'll just go with it. Motorcyclists would definitely enjoy it. The road follows along the Rio Grande, twisting and turning, going up, down, and around. As tempting as it was to stop more frequently than we did, we wanted to be sure to get in our hike.

We heard about the Closed Canyon trail from staff at the Sailwinds Marina. Around 1.4 mile round trip, Closed Canyon hike is a slot canyon trail that literally ends with a sign saying end of trail. While the Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon Trail in Utah is still our favorite, this one was a relatively easy trail. It was perfect for a little exercise on a travel day and a good excuse for pizza afterwards!

Start of the slot

Loving the shade

End of the trail

There is a trail there

A little sunshine

Hoodoos and the Rio Grande

The Big Hill (15% grade)

Mmm!

Where Are We Going Next?

Amistad, Wild West, and Dark Skies

We left Houston and stopped a couple of nights in San Antonio at Ft. Sam Houston. We stayed on base and used our day there to stock up on groceries and get a few errands done. Harold chased down a new 6-pin socket for the Jeep. One of the pins was bent, preventing the Jeep's tail lights from working when connected to the coach.

From there we headed further south to Del Rio. We stayed at Laughlin AFB where we parked our chairs behind the coach and watched the pilots training. We took a short side trip to Amistad National Recreation Area. We might try staying at Southwinds Marina campground should we make it through the area again.

Crossing the Amistad Dam

Following U.S. route 90 west from Del Rio, we stopped at the Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center in Langtry, TX. It was a nice stop to stretch our legs and for a free museum, it was kind of nice. 

Saloon and Court

The Opera House (really Judge Bean's home)

Our next overnight and final stop before Terlingua and Big Bend National Park was in Marathon. The owner of Marathon Motel and RV Park is an avid dark sky observer. They have an onsite Sky Park with telescope pads. If you're staying there, the pad fee is waived. Dark Texas Skies conducts a nightly star party, weather permitting. There's a $10/person fee for that. Naturally, we'd arrive just before a full moon!

Telescopes at the campground

Checking out the moon

A campground rules first

The Big Bend area is prime dark sky country. We even noted an advertisement for a residential development being built specifically for dark sky enthusiasts. They offer concrete telescope pads with electric in the common areas. That's pretty unique. 

Where Are We Going Next?

Family, Flea Markets, and Friends Old and New

We can't come across I-10 and not stop at least a couple of nights in the Houston area. We have two nephews living in the area, one on the north side and one on the south side. We've met new RV friends who live north of Houston, and I used to live in southwest Houston back in the late 1980's. 

Our campsite was at Traders Village, a weekend-only flea market on the northwestish side of town. It was reasonably priced, had decent ratings, 24 hour security, and was not too far north for when we continued our journey west. We found it interesting to see the traffic over the weekend. Our nephews didn't necessarily enjoy it as they waited in line to get to us.

While in the area, we took the opportunity to enjoy a meal with Buck and Avah. Two RV friends we met about a year ago in Indiana at my cousin Steve's. We were both moochdocking at the RV lot. We finished our meal and headed to Humble Pies to continue our conversation. Humble Pies doesn't have a website, or I'd definitely be posting the link with a five-star plus review. If you're ever in Humble, TX, go for pie!

Much to my surprise, I recognized one of the names of the ministry leaders at Tallowood Baptist Church, where I attended all those years ago. We took the opportunity to touch base with Allyson prior to the service. Wow, has the church grown over the years. 

We just missed the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It started two days after we left. Maybe we'll catch it on another visit to the area. There's plenty to do and see - besides the flea market!

Welcome to Texas - see the snake?

Everybody say "Hi, Steve."

Allyson and her wonderful smile

Campsite at the flea market

Front window view

Team Harold and Tom, Emily and family

Where Are We Going Next?