Blogs from Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States, North America

blog 03-10-19 Jeep Tour Sunday morning and the first day of the time change and the jeep tour starts at 9 am requiring me to be there at 8:45, oh, the pressure! I got up at 4:30 to see if I could photograph the milky way but it was cloudy in the east. I didn't have to get up because it was an hour earlier. I'm so confused.. The tour took off on time with a family of 3 included and our trusty guide Dean. We were going on private land that adjoins the national park but as it turned out it was much dryer than the park was. No wonder they didn't include it in the bounties. It turns out that Dean is quite knowledgeable about the plants and geology and he told us so ... read more

blog 03-07-19 Catching Up I have been too tired at night to write a detailed blog so I am trying to catch up here for the last few days. I have had a terrific time exploring the park, photographing the many flowers and cactus that are here and finding out more about the park. It was formed from volcanic activity and the mountains show the evidence. I went on the scenic tour, a road that leads to Saint Elena Canyon where the Rio Grande cut through the mountain. The paved road stops at the canyon and a dirt road will take you to the west side of the park but it is not suitable for your regular car. So I went back the same way I came and enjoyed the view in the other direction. 03-08-19 ... read more

blog 03-04-19 Chesos Basin Settling in for the night was not an easy task. Last night the wind Howled and actually shook the camper til I wondered if the trees across the street were going to come down. The temperature kept dropping outside as well as in and I added an extra blanket. The temp was 32 outside and 57 inside, these campers are not built for such wind. We did survive and both Watson and I were quite cozy. Morning was foggy and cold but the wind had diminished some so if you bundled up you could survive a short walk. Watson was loving it, his coat is made for weather like this. After breakfast I loaded the car with all sorts of necessary sight-seeing things like binoculars, camera bag, extra blanket, water, computer and ... read more

I want to say right up front the pictures don't do justice to the view; the park is breathtaking in size, distance, and unique beauty. Words and pictures can't begin to describe it! The park is a little like driving along the bottom of the grand canyon, at the canyon we saw the river and surrounding land from high above. In this park, we are at the river level and looking up at the mountain ranges surrounding us. One of the first things we noticed when entering the park is what is not there...fences. Since leaving the San Antonio area, we have not seen a single stretch of land without a fence and private property sign. Some of these ranches cover many miles along the road and as far off as the horizon. I don't think ... read more

High Island and Winnie to El Paso, Texas April 18 to 24th Starting mileage at 23085. Lots of wildflowers blooming now along side of the roadways and in the median. Mostly, in oranges and yellows. Real pretty white prickly poppy was also seen. Sadly, it is too late for the blue bonnets, but winecups and many cactus are blooming. Sure perks up the grey desert land, especially, a low growing cactus that is bright, bright fuchsia. Unfortunately, many, many plants in mile after mile of driving were dead or dying--- due to the drought, we think. We drove straight through Houston and its ‘burbs and then continued our drive west on Interstate 10 and spent the night at Palmetto State Park near Ottine. Nice tree shaded campground built in the 30’s by the CCC, so had ... read more