Big Bend National Park

Well, I could pretend that it is the next morning, but it's actually three weeks later and we are well down the road. It's not like I haven't had time to keep you up-to-date. Like in grade school -  I get an "X" in self discipline. So.....

We are off to Big Bend National Park, about 65 miles to the park headquarters. When we arrived we were greeted with an unlikely scene in the parking lot - about fifteen or twenty new or like-new Corvettes. Turns out the Corvette Club of California was on a "Tromping Thru Texas 2014" rally. Bet the Visitor Center has never had so much money in the parking area at one time.

We explained our limited time and a very nice ranger recommended a route down to the river , the Rio Grande, through some beautiful country, to Santa Elena Canyon, then back to the highlight of the park, the Chisos Mountains and lodge.

Our doubts about how Big Bend might measure up to our other experiences were misplaced. Lots to see and marvel at, even on so short a visit. In the fall/winter or winter/spring, the hiking and canoe/kayak adventures along the Rio Grande would be a real kick. The 100+ temps kept us from even walking down to the river's edge.

We finished up our visit with a drive up to the Chisos Lodge for lunch - a cool 91 up here at 6000 feet.










When we returned to the Marathon Motel and RV Park, we had time for a cocktail, and a stroll around their very nice garden area.