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Published: January 28th 2009
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Amistad Dam
Straddling the border Hello, all. We've been without wifi for the last 3 nights, so I'll try to catch you up without being too wordy and without too many pictures, though it's hard to choose just a few.
Sunday, 25 January, 2009
As we head west the landscape is becoming drier, with more cactus and fewer trees. At Amistad National Recreation Area, near Del Rio, we set up our campers at Governors Landing campground. It's a beautiful spot overlooking the water, and we shared a campsite. Bob, Gena, Kerry and I got in the van and headed for the Amistad Dam which straddles the Rio Grande and crosses to Acuna Ciudad, Mexico. We drove to the middle of the dam and got out and took pictures, with one foot in USA, one in Mexico (okay, 4 in USA, 4 In Mexico if you want to be picky.)
Back at the campsite, we fixed dinner and admired all the stars in the clear night sky. Five minutes after going indoors for the night, Kerry went back out and the sky was totally cloudy.
Monday, 26 January, 2009
The traffic on the highway was a little noisy last night, but
Rio Grande
From atop Amistad Dam. USA on the left, Mexico on the right. the raccoon getting into the garbage can was a different sound. I was awake enough to hear it and wonder why they were emptying the trash at that hour, but too sleepy to get up and investigate. Bob and Gena shined a light out their window and saw it getting chicken bones out of the can.
It was drizzly and gray this morning, but began clearing as we headed west. We stopped at Langtry and visited Judge Roy Bean's saloon, the Jersey Lilly. It's a cute place to visit and learn about "The Law West of the Pecos." It's also a great pit stop, as there are no other rest rooms for many miles.
From there we headed to Big Bend National Park. What a beautiful drive, with the mountains and changing scenery. I even saw some Javelina. We set up camp at the Rio Grande Village campground and fixed dinner, then went for showers before they closed.
Tuesday, 27 January, 2009
We shared a leisurely breakfast, then, after doing the dishes, took a walk down to the river (the Rio Grande, of course.) The nature trail we walked last year is closed because flooding washed
Amistad Reservoir
from our campsite Sunday afternoon away the boardwalk. We walked as far as the remains of the boardwalk, then headed back to camp.
The four of us again loaded into the van and headed for the Chisos Basin. What a beautiful drive! Today is hazier than yesterday, but we still enjoyed the vistas. At the basin, we walked the short Window Overlook trail and took pictures.
On the way back we stopped at Panther Visitor Center, checked our voice mail and returned some calls. Dad, I hope you're feeling better. David, sorry you got so much ice.
We took the Boquillas Canyon Trail to where it ends at the Rio Grande in the Boquillas Canyon. Kerry and Bob saw some caballeros on the Mexican side of the river.
Back at camp the wind was picking up and the temperatures were starting to drop. The wind got so strong, we had to cook dinner indoors instead of outside on the grill. The wind made the walls of the camper flap, and the pouch with the awning and awning poles in it was lifted up and banged against the side of the camper several times. By the time we finished playing cards, the
Amistad Reservoir
from our campsite Monday morning wind had calmed down some. But it was pretty rough for about 5 hours.
Wednesday, 28 January, 2009
It was 36 degrees this morning, but the sky was clear and the winds were calm. After a few phone calls from Panther, we headed west past the Chisos Mountains, out of the park to Study Butte (pronounced stoody byoot) and then north to Alpine. After filling up there, we headed west to Marfa. Near Marfa we saw something white in the sky, but couldn't tell what it was (maybe the mysterious Marfa lights.) We passed the time and the miles speculating what it could be before finally getting close enough to ascertain that it was a weather balloon tethered at a USAF compound. We continued on across the wide open prairie to Van Horn, Texas, where we've stopped for the night. It's a bit breezy, west Texas usually is, but nothing like last night.
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Pat
non-member comment
Good to hear from you!
Was getting concerned and was waiting until tonight to try and call you. Sounds like you had a Mr Toad's Wild Ride Tuesday night! It sounds like you made it through without any damage. Hopefully you will have good weather ahead - have fun traveling and be safe! Love you!