Big Bend NP

Hi all

There I go, getting lazy again.

So we have to go back to Saturday and
our visit to Ft. Davis National Historic Site.
Stopped here and enjoyed a great morning walk learning some of the history.

Many of the buildings are gone with only the foundations present

The Friends of Ft Davis and other organizations have raised the money

To restore a number of the buildings.

The fort covered a large area overlooking a pretty valley

And backed by a sheer rock wall.

Can’t imagine summers here without AC

After spending several hours at the Fort

We made the remaining 100+ miles to Big Bend NP.
Should you ever think that western ND or the high desert of WY
Are barren, you need to make that 100 trip from Ft Davis to Big Bend NP.

BUT, the cactus was blooming!

Got set up at a RV park in Terlingua, TX

Lots of wind and some rain the first night, althought only enough rain to settle the dust.

Sunday into Big Bend for the day.

This is a very large park and 2 of the roads go only to the Mexican/USA border.
No bridge over the river.
We took the trip down the Old Maverick Road, 13 miles of dirt/gravel road

And spectacular vistas on the western side of the park.

Road’s end at Santa Elena Canyon.

Pretty area along the Rio Grande River, the border with Mexico.

Santa Elena Canyon is one area we do not need to build a wall.
Mother nature has already done that for us and Mexico.
Not likely anyone is going across in that canyon, either way!
From there we traveled the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, paved,  
along the river to Castolon Visitor Center.
Had lunch on the tailgate there and looked around the store.
Then along the RMS Dr. the 22 miles back to the main highway.
Made lots of stops to see pretty scenery

and flowers!

And a little wildlife.

Back to the BWB in time for beer thirty, supper, walk the fur kids,
they were with us all day, but very little area to walk dogs in a NP,

Then off to bed.
Slept great and now ready to head out to check out the eastern side of the park.

Make your day great

Tom and Millie