Big Bend National Park

   As the Rio Grande flows south from its headwaters in Colorado, it makes a huge, looping detour out in West Texas forming the border between the US and Mexico. This is Big Bend country--desert, desolate, but beautiful. We have visited Big Bend several times on our way to Arizona. That is to say, we have never treated The Bend as a destination in itself but always as a place to pause for a few days or a week depending on what the weather is like. January in Big Bend usually means sunny, mild, shirt-sleeve days and chilly nights. Wind can be an issue, though. One of the major benefits of traveling the way we do is we can move on anytime we choose. 
  Still, this particular little side trip requires significant effort because it is an hour's drive down from I-10 to Marathon, TX on Rt. 385 and another hour from the entrance station to the visitor center at Panther Junction.  You don't go there on a just a whim. The good news is there is excellent scenery along the way and a chance to race the roadrunners at the edge of the highway. 

On a walk along the Rio Grande,Shirley and I thought we heard Mexican kids laughing and playing. Turned out that "kids" were exactly what we heard. Or "herd" if you will. 

Some roadrunners have become campground beggars.

Not at all shy around people.

El Capitan

In '06 we were still tenting.

Between rains, the ocotillo drops its leaves and looks like a bundle of dead, thorny sticks. It can blossom several times a year when conditions are right.

Not all prickly pear cactus are green.

The Mule Ears

We took a five-mile hike on the Lost Mine Trail. Never found the mine. Guess that's why it is called the Lost Mine. 

Did find lots of sore muscles after climbing Lost Mine Peak, though.

On the five-mile Window Trail we met two women about 100 yards from the end. One said she did not want to go any farther. Still, she had to walk all the way back whether she wanted to or not. And without seeing what she came all that way to see.

The view through The Window, a cleft in the rock. It is the exit point for a "pouroff" where rain and snow melt drain out of the mountains. At that time, The Window is the top of a high waterfall.

When we returned from The Window, the wind increased dramatically. The utility pole in the lower left began to sway and then just snapped off. In a matter of seconds, downed power lines started a wildfire in the creosote bush.

Rangers and firefighters said we were safe because the wind was pushing the fire away from us. So, they watched it for a couple hours. 

Then two things occurred to a ranger: Look where the only road into Chisos Basis is; What if the wind changed directions. So, he said "Y'all better get out of here while you can. We don't care where you go, just leave."

Yes, the trail  actually climbs over that ridge. 

The Rio Grande carved the 1,500-feet-deep Santa Elena Canyon.

A trail into the canyon climbs along the cliff face on the American side.

We met a tour group from China back in the canyon.

The Beijing Kid wanted to pose for pictures wearing my hat.

Exiting the canyon

Javelinas look like wild pigs but they are from a different family.

We came upon about a dozen near Santa Elena.

People from the tiny Mexican village of Boquillas del Carmen cross the river to leave handicrafts for sale like these beadwork roadrunners, tarantulas, and ocotillos as well as hand-decorated hiking sticks.

Just put your money in the container. The Mexican singing cowboy comes on horseback in the evening to collect. Signs at the visitor center warn that it is illegal and competes unfairly with those who trade legally--at higher prices. Still, you could hear him singing from far off as he approached. He did seem the least bit worried about getting caught.