Big Bend National Park: Best of the Best Series--#3

June 16, 2010--This day of travel started out as planned with a excursion down the west side of the park with the main goal of Santa Elena Canyon. Since I had been reading all literature I could come across about various aspects of the park, I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about this little hike we would be taking. However, none of them mentioned that you would need to cross Terlingua Creek as it joins with the Rio Grande in order to reach the trailhead. Ugh. I did not come prepared with river shoes and was unsure about soaking borrowed boots in the muddy waters. So, we missed out on the best views yet again. Next time, I will know. Nonetheless we played along the banks of the river for a while, taking in the sights and exploring the sand, rocks, mud, and water. Secretly I was hoping there would be a miracle of the parting of the waters so we could just walk across...but no such luck. The perspective below is in the river bottom looking up into the Santa Elena Canyon.
Along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive back toward the center of the park, we stopped at each pullout, scenic overlook, or spot that caught our eye. I was intrigued by the large rocks scattered heavily throughout this part of the park. Some were extremely large while others were more like small stones. I am thankful that I was not around when these boulders broke loose and rolled down the hills. However, there was evidence that some settling had happened not so long ago.
Possibly my favorite stop of the day was Tuff Canyon. It did not seem as hot on this afternoon so taking the short trails around the canyon to different view points was not sweltering. The river bottom deep in the canyon was dry for the most part. When I took this picture from a viewing platform, it made my knees and stomach very weak. I had to pretend to be a kid for a few minutes and make echos into the canyon.

In the evening we attended a Ranger program. It was mostly about dinosaurs, animal trivia within the park, and geological data. This was another event that was similar to camp meetings. We met more travelers here that would become part of our experiences as our time in the park continued.

Big Bend National Park: Best of the Best Series--#2

June 15, 2010--Our first morning in the park. We decided to attempt a trip down the Window Trail, an approximately 5 mile trip promising rewarding views. However, at the trailhead we were greeted with a sign stating the following:
I tried. I reluctantly went down the trail for 25 minutes taking caution with each step. Then finally gave up and quickly returned to the top (in just 10 minutes). The message seen above became my battle cry for the rest of the week. While on the trail for the short distance, I did capture these shots of The Window.
It was perfectly clear that we would not be hiking any significant trails marked with such signs, so we made plan B. A trip down the east side of the park to Rio Grande Village, including all of the stops along the way.
Fortunately, we took a path without even knowing anything about what lied at the end. It turned out to be one of our favorite adventures. Again, when we arrived we were greeted with a posting, this one stated "thefts from unattended vehicles occur frequently at this site". So we took our belongings, and went on...We were in the Hot Springs historic district. This area was developed in the 20s-30s as a place for visitors to sample the waters of the Hot Spring. There was a post office/store, motel, and home. This view is along the trail to the hot spring.
Most of the pool was very silty and muddy, as the Rio Grande. When the water is high in the river, it covers the hot spring pool. However, the area closest to the spring was clear. The water was very warm. This vantage point is standing in the far corner of the pool right on the Rio Grande river. Shortly upstream is the junction of the Tornillo Creek with the Rio Grande. It was on this adventure that I realized why this is the off-season in Big Bend...it was SO VERY hot. I nearly got sick and possibly exhibited some of the signs of heat exhaustion or other condition. Throughout the trip I drank a 24 pack of water or more by myself (in 4 days)! I just couldn't get my thirst quenched.
We continued through a tunnel on to the Rio Grande Village for a picnic in the shade of the lush oasis along the river. Then to Boquillas Canyon. Unfortunately, it was too late in the afternoon and I was too overwhelmed from the heat for us to truly appreciate this canyon or explore any of its trails. We did not make it back to this location.

Big Bend National Park: Best of the Best Series--#1

June 14, 2010--My anticipation of the summer had culminated. I had a few purposes on this trip 1) Explore a part of the world I had never been to before 2) Focus on the one who created the grandeur of this place 3) Document His creation in photographs and 4) Increase my photography skills. In the end, I narrowed it down to about five pictures a day that are my best shots. Others definitely hold memories of various sorts, but these are the ones I am most proud. It was a great escape from most technologies and a new environment with adventures all it's own.

After approximately 11 hours of driving, we were greeted with desolate surroundings as we traveled into Big Bend National Park down Hwy 385. However, when we arrived at Panther Junction the landscape changed dramatically.

This is Casa Grande. It is a landmark in the Chisos Mountain basin. It stands 7, 325 feet. I thought it nearly glowed in the light of this sunset.
We arrived in time to view the beginning of the most beautiful sunset of the week as we ate dinner in the Chisos Mountain Lodge restaurant. Then we ventured down the Window View Trail to see the finale.
This is a popular location for visitors to spend the evenings. We met several fellow vacationers here and then later saw them during our day outings. It began to feel like camp with this being the evening meeting spot to recount the days adventures and local news.

Big Bend National Park is pretty isolated. Shortly after we entered the park we began to notice the effects of its location. Due to the import of electricity from remote locations it can be disrupted easily. The first night we had no electricity from about midnight to almost 7am. This happened additional times but for significantly less amounts of time for the remainder of our trip.