Big Bend National Park

We joined our friend Joyce and Alan Breach in Fort Stockton, TX after both couple had briefly visited Austin and Fredericksburg, TX. The following day we caravanned 135 miles south toward the Rio Grande River and Mexico into Big Bend National Park. The park derives its name from a U-shaped bend of the Rio Grande River and encompasses about 800,000 acres (larger than the state of Rhode Island) of desert, rivers, and mountains.

 
Rio Grande River

While we stayed in the Chisos Basin Campground, Joyce and Alan lodged at the Chisos Mountain cottages located about ½ mile away from the campground. During our first night in the campground we experienced strong, gusty winds and an extreme temperature drop to 18 degrees F., which resulted in frozen water pipes in our motorhome. In order to thaw the pipes we packed up and headed for warmer temperatures. This necessitated driving 300 miles west to El Paso, Texas and staying in the warmer area for an additional day before returning to Chisos Basin.

 Hiking in Big Bend National Park

While in Big Bend National Park, lead by Joyce and Alan we did several very scenic hikes.

   Grapevine Hills Trail to Balanced Rock

   Window Trail

   
Chimneys Trail

   Rio Grande River through Santa Elena Canyon

 

Having left Big Bend National Park, we are now traveling west to the Phoenix, AZ area.

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