The Adventures of Fric and Frac: Adventure 349: Del Rio, Texas/Post A

Last day in the Bend, just chillin'

With the exception of a sunset walk down to the Rio Grande, we "rested" in the shade for a whole day yesterday, which was why I had to rant (I apologize-I think the heat got to me) about Armageddon. We don't often just sit, but after nearly a week along the border we were ready to enjoy some time out of the heat. I even took a siesta in honor of my buddy, Ed. We left Big Bend this morning about eight. It was a cool 46 degrees. By ten-thirty it was eighty-eight. On the 263 mile drive across the vast emptiness of Southern Texas, we tried to recount our favorite moments at Big Bend. For me, Santa Elena Canyon won top honors because of the sheer immense beauty of the geology. Judy's top spot was the hike in the Chisos Basin down to the "window". I must admit that if I ever got back to Big Bend, I'd want to camp (In the Lodge) in the basin, which is a quite stunning wrap around of mountains. I also loved the hot springs, and both Judy and I agreed that the rugged six mile shadeless round trip to the springs and back was as close as we came to experiencing true desert heat. We made two sunset hikes right out back of our campsite on the Nature Trail. Both hikes were spectacular. Birds were chirping, ducks were ducking, Cranes were preening, tiny fish were rising to eat the pesky bugs (Though not enough; I was a meal for a count of at least eight welts), and the sunlight was kissing every part of the desert, sending shadows chasing under prickly pears, and bright shafts racing up the cliffside. From the promontory at the end of the nature trail, the Chisos Mountains soared in the distance. Behind us the sandstone layered face of the Sierra Carmen Mountains loomed proudly. And around us the Rio Grande River caressed its muddy banks like a silky grey green scarf draped around the neck of a elegant woman. And who can forget our bike ride from Panther Junction to the fossil exhibit and back? We hiked at least six miles each day, except the last. And I'm sure the unrelenting sun seared permanent images in our mind's eye. This is a free commercial (Ala Kelly Anne Conway): Come here if you can; $7 bucks/night-way cheaper than anything Ivanka might sell. We were so impressed, we even filled out a comment sheet, which we usually don't do. We were effusive. Interestingly, we met a young ranger yesterday (One of 15 for 800,000 acres, which equals @ 1/75,000 acres) who was eager to share what he hoped was an expansion. He said that by the time we returned, the National Park Service had hopes of expanding camping into Boquillas, Mexico as well as a small oasis just on the other side of the hot springs. He said it would help the economy of the Mexicans who lived in the area and also serve as a way to exchange cultural appreciation. Ironically, he and his partner were walking the nature trail to "clean" the area, which meant confiscate the trinkets the locals leave in their "ghost markets", likely one of their main sources of income. This morning, before we left, Judy went to check the trail to see if new goods had been left. They had. I didn't ask him, but I wanted to know on what the ranger based his optimism, given our President's promise to build the wall, and his current push to deport the "bad hombres". I like the ranger's approach better, but... Tonight, snugged nicely as we are at the Broke Mill RV Park, Judy and I will cheer for the Zags who play St. Marys. That's why we had to drive clear across Texas to get to a place with ESPN2 coverage. This RV Park has a Cowboy Church, so we'll experience a little Cowboy Christianity tomorrow. After that, we're planning on driving into town to ride our bicycle around the historical district of Del Rio. Stay tuned, plans are always subject to change. Expect the unexpected, trust that God will provide, and remember, life is good, especially today.

Just after passing through the entry gate. We'd already driven sixty miles from Marathon, and we still had another nearly sixty just to get to the Rio Grande Village. Well worth it, though we didn't really realize the distances we'd have to drive during the week.

This is the view we had from our camp site (#18). Every hour of the day it was worth looking up because the light changed in dramatic ways.

We hiked this nature trail at sunset (Twice). Awesome.

From the top of the peak (The Nature Trail), we gazed out at the Chisos Mountains in the distance, and watched the Rio Grande wind its way toward us. It was so still and quiet,, we could hear the rippling of the current in the river.

Part of the arduous six mile (Round trip) hike to the hot springs and back.

The dark green along the river in the back ground is where the hot springs are.

Bunny trying to pick a stick fight with one of the locals.

I preferred a more relaxing postion.

They say that the desert flowers will bloom in about a month. Sorry we are not to see it.

The window is a sheer drop off after an easy down hill hike through the canyon. Even the hike back is pretty easy. Theres' only about five hundred feet of elevation gain, and the trail itself is well worn.

This is the long view of the window taken from right in front of the Chisos Basin Lodge where I enjoyed two fine samplings of the local Big bend brewery.