Last Day in Big Bend Nat'l Park

Dec 17th, Monday

I have been seeing some beautiful places here in the park! I am just awed by the ever-changing mountains and land forms. I left the Cottonwood campground near Castolon, and headed for Santa Elena Canyon. (long distance photo)

I stopped along the way at the old Grand Canyon farm, own for years by the Sublett family.

It was very interesting to me to find that alot of the area, now grown up in mesquite,  in the early 1900's was once valuable cropland.

These are the main house ruins behind the brush growth.



How many feet walked in and out of these doorways; how many hot meals awaited Mr Sublett, after a long hard days work............. I can picture him coming in tired, sweaty, and hungry.

If these walls could tell us of the happy times and hardships these settlers knew.......

Back on the road to Santa Elena Canyon...

Rules say no dogs on the trail, so I had to leave Izzy and Joe in the RV.

and so I started down the path...

The Canyon walls are gorgeous!

 There are sections of board walk down to the river.

 I went for quite a way ..... snapped the best picture I could,

then remembered I had forgotten to lock the RV, so back I went.

It was interesting but you cannot see much though the opening as it seems to curve, and the law forbids any crossing of the river. Still worth the visit, realizing Mexico was near enough to reach out and touch.

Heading back toward Castolon, and the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive (because vehicles over 24' are not recommended to take the dirt base Old Maverick Road) I stopped to get photos of the Tuff Canyon.

 

I was standing on the edge of a "cliff" in this lower picture , which is quite bold for me :)

Continuing on back to Castolon I spotted these free-ranging horses near the side of the road.

This tri-axle truck came barreling down the road just as they were about to cross. Fortunately they turned and weht back.

I was able to get several photos before I, and they, had to be on out way.

Three beautiful horses!

I felt very blessed to experience all of this in one day!

the beautiful mountains, the vast open spaces, the history of this valley,

 and the spirit of freedom displayed by these horses.

 

I drove  northward and picked up RT 118 at Maverick Junction. leaving the  BBNP. I turned west on RT 170,  and headed for the BB State Park. Iwanted to fo;;ow the border as far as I could.....

But that's another post......

 

Big Bend National Park 2 and Javelinas

Dec. 16th, Sunday . (This post is picture heavy.... for my kids and grands)

 As I left Boquillas Canyon, I headed back towards Panther Junction. Here is the tunnel you have to go through on the road between Panther Junction and Rio Grande Village. I didn't get a picture of it going in so I was sure to get one going out.

Getting back to Panther Junction I then took the road to Cottonwoods campgrounds.

Here are some scenic pictures of the mountains along the route.

 

Fins of Fire rock chain....

You can see a large "fin" to the left in the photo above.

See the "mule ears" to the right of the sign.

and here....

Another traveler.. they were hiking over to get a better look at the "ears". Check out their website.

I haven't had time yet but intend to...

I decided this was as good a place as any to eat lunch. That granola bar I'd had fro breakfast was way past gone! My h-m bread with tuna salad and a Roma tomato with green olives on the side.

Then on down into the valley below.

More interesting mountain shapes....

 

The different colored layers of  rock formations are especially intriging to me.

I stopped at the Cottonswoods store and information building. I failed to get a picture of it but theses old buildings were near there.

I didn't stay long, just wanted to get to the campgrounds and set for the night.

As I went to walk the pups, I saw this herd of Javelinas across the drive. Whoa, I better wait a bit...

Interesting creatures, but I had been warned about them, so stayed my distance,

They will eat your dog!

Lowering sun glowing on the mountain at the end of the campground.

Tonight, we sleep under the beautiful cottonwoods!

and more to come tomorrow!





On to Big Bend National Park, TX

December,15th........  Saturday morning found me rising early, full of energy. I felt good! Maybe its because the sun was shining... I walked the dogs, secured anything that needed it and headed for Fort Stockton 200 miles away. The speed limit on I-10 was 80 mph... 80 MPH!!! Who in the world needs to go so fast???

Well, I set my cruise at a reasonable 65 and only once in a while went 70. Love to hear that engine whine, haha! (memories....) I fueled up at Fort Stockton and headed on down 385 to Big Bend Nat'l Park. Early evening found me at Panther Junction about mid-way into the park.

I went inside the visitor's center and asked about camping. I could go SE to Rio Grande Village (33 mi) or SW to Cottonwood (20 mi). Speed limit was 45 most of the way. I choose to go SE, and so glad I did. I snapped a few photos on the way in as the land forms began changing. But the sun was sinking low and I had to make time to get there before dark. Why, I wonder, is it that I always seem to be chasing my tail?? This is not a race I am in.

I need to s-l-o-w  d-o-w-n.

 

 I got there just as the camp hosts were leaving for the evening.There were 2 campgrounds; a commercial one with all hookups,  and a national park campground, no amenities except faucet water and shower/restrooms. I was tired from driving 350 miles and could have slept good anywhere. I stayed at the nat'l park's campgrounds for $7/night with my senior discount. I got parked and took the dogs for a short run so they could do their business. 

We had a dark, peaceful night's sleep! The next day, I talked with the camp host as to sites to see. He gave me some great tips. So after freshening up and breakfast and doggie doo's, we were off! But not before I took a picture of this twisted tree trunk,

 and the vastly different trees with yellow foliage across the drive.

We headed out to Boquillas Canyon overlook, about 5 mi away.

This is the first time I have seen the Rio Grande River while standing on the ground. Just a ribbon of water, seperating two countries, very diverse in our customs and ways of life, yet so very similar, as people just wanting to provide a living for our families....

Here, Mexicans come from the town of Boquillas, MX,  across the border, (the river) and climb the steep incline to display their wares on these rocks in hopes someone will buy from them, enabling them to make a few dollars to feed their families. But the rules and laws of the BB Nat'l Park forbid it....

I would have liked to... but not willing to risk fines or other consequences.

Looking at the mountain escarpment that is on the other side if the river to the east. 

and some of the dessert plants



One last look at the river.... and.... opps? Look at that stone! What is that??

I did not see this til I was looking over my photos. Is this the real thing? Or did someone make this and set it there by itself. I may never know....

More photos to come of Big Bend parks.....