Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park, located in southwest Texas, borders the country of Mexico and encompasses more than 800,000 acres. Within the park the Rio Grande River serves as an international boundary between Mexico and the United States for more than 250 miles. Sometimes referred to as having "three parks in one", Big Bend provides you with the opportunity to go from the Rio Grande River, to the Chisos Mountains, and then to the Chihuahuan Desert all in one day. Hiking trails run throughout this park, and many visitors come to do just that.

With Joe's Golden Age pass, we were able to enter the park free. We headed straight to the the Rio Grande Village campground where we set up camping for the night. Marion, Barbara, Joe and I immediately ventured out on a very short and easy trail which gave us our first view of the Rio Grande River. Joe took off his shoe and put his foot in in the river. Now, how many people have done that?

Next, we returned to the motor home where Barbara elected to stay behind and Buster begged to accompany us as we headed to a more strenuous trail. This time we walked up the mountain to a plateau that overlooked the river valley. The trail provided an excellent chance to view the many different varieties of cacti.

The following day we drove down into the Chisos Basin. While the drive is not recommended for RV's longer than 24 feet, our 25 foot Pulse made all of the twists and turns easily. As we descended into the basin, we stopped at the different view points and took photographs. Mule Ears Viewpoint, where we took a family portrait, was my favorite. We lunched at the Chisos Mountains Lodge Restaurant and afterwards walked the short paved loop that brings you to see The Window that is shown above.

The Santa Elena Canyon Trail was the highlight of my trip. This trail, which is 1.7 miles round trip, begins at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and provides one of the grandest spectacles in the park. We first crossed Terlingua Creek, and then we climbed up a cliff (via switchbacks) before we began to descend along the banks of the Rio Grande. The trail is surrounded by abundant river plant life and 1,500-foot towering vertical cliffs of solid limestone. The ending of the trail, where canyon walls meet the river, is an excellent spot for a picnic.