Big Bend NP, Texas - Part 1

October 22-23; 6,772 miles and 97 days into the trip.
Rio Grande Village CG, Big Bend NP

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It’s funny how your mind decides something without knowing all the facts. In 1957 I was stationed at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, and made a trip across southern Texas to Laredo. It was through the most flat, dry, hot, and barren land I ever saw. Because of that I assumed the Big Bend NP would be the same. The only reason to stop at Big Bend was to check off another National Park. Boy was I wrong! It is a beautiful large park with many mountains, basins, and desert plants. The park has only two real entrances, one in the north and one in the west. We found out that the southern entrance (across the Rio Grande on foot or by boat) is heavily traveled by illegal aliens and drug runners. Where ever we went we saw warning signs. We came in the northern entrance and drove south 26 miles to the visitors center at Panther Junction, which is centrally located and the only one open in this off season. Then another 23 miles southeast to the 25 site RV campground at Rio Grande Village. It is the only CG in the park with hook-ups and the only one of two which can accommodate our size rig.

The Rio Grande Village is located 2 miles passed this tunnel and on the Rio Grande river. The far mountains are located in Mexico.

Getting ready for our first hike and on a very windy day. Mom is looking down on the Rio Grande - a slow moving muddy river. The hike will take us over a hill then down along the river to a narrow canyon with vertical walls on both sides.

We are down along the river on a sandy trail with very dense plant growth.

The end of the trail. Mom is viewing the canyon with a couple we met along the way.

Boquillas Canyon The Rio Grande winds its way through the canyon behind us. The US side is in shadow, the Mexican in sun light.

Going back up and over the hill to our car at the trail head. Notice the rocky trail? With soft sneakers it is not easy on the feet. Hard sole hiking boots would be much better.

On top of the hill looking at the Rio Grande and Mexico. To give you an idea how far we hiked, you can see in the distance where the river turns left and heads for the canyon.

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