More from Big Bend

Saturday

Yesterday's mileage was 564 miles.  Today we have a just under 400 miles.  Rest areas on these Texas highways are NICE and with wifi too and 24 hour security.  

We awoke to wind shaking the camper, light rain and now lightening for the icing on the cake.  The wind isn't any fun to drive in though, worse than the trucks.

Just saw a freight train with FIVE locomotives pulling.  Pretty amazing, I don't recall ever seeing that before.

After leaving Uvalde, last major city before Del Rio we started seeing the gates into ranches.  Unable to see the buildings, just the gates mostly made of metal with the names over the top and often decoration.  Some places have had huge irrigation rigs, however we don't know the crop.  Lots of cactus and sagebrush and low trees. Many windmills pumping water and small observation huts like hunters' blinds, but what do they hunt?  J Ranch, Behne Ranch, Lonesome Hill, Machete Ranch, OI Ranch,  Euers, Peridro Ranch, and Burts, just to rattle off a few names.

Road sign - "DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS up to $1000 fine for littering"

Long distances without anything - houses, buildings, other vehicles.  Now within 60 miles of the park on 385, we have mountains all around us, not like being in the mountains in the east, there is distance to all yet we're still in them.  Amazing.

We got ourselves set up in the campground and learned that their wifi was not working!  So with no cell phone coverage either we are not going to communicate with the outside world for a while.

We were told that there are lots of coyotes here and to keep close watch on our pets.  While sitting and have our pre dinner beer and wine last evening two coyotes walked along the camp road about 60 feet from where we were sitting.  After we were in bed for a bit they started to howl, it sounded as though they were only feet away.

Sunday am we were up before seven and headed to the Rio Grande to take some photos of the cliffs with the morning sun on them.  As we walked past the amphitheater we roused a bunch of coyotes and started them howling at us.

This is the place to see birds!  This morning along with all the usual finches and cardinals, we saw several Golden-fronted woodpeckers, a scarlet tanager, and a roadrunner walked through as well.  

A park volunteer has told us that the high temp for Monday is supposed to be back up to the 90 range. 

In the afternoon we hiked toward the hot springs, however became concerned with the tome and decided to turn around as we were unsure when sunset would be.  It was still a great hike and we enjoyed being on the trail.  It is not an understatement to say that you need lots of water to do these hikes even in the spring.  

We also spoke with some fire fighters.  They are concerned about the fires in the west and have brought in some smoke jumpers from Mexico.

Monday

Pancakes and real maple syrup for breakfast.  Doing laundry and later this am we will head to the Basin and so some hiking up there.  Should be much cooler and we will have some great views.

So far so good!   We are having a blast and enjoying eachothers company and eating far too well.

Had a great hike, great views.


We got ourselves set up in the campground and learned that their wifi was not working!  So with no cell phone coverage either we are not going to communicate with the outside world for a while.

We were told that there are lots of coyotes here and to keep close watch on our pets.  While sitting and have our pre dinner beer and wine last evening two coyotes walked along the camp road about 60 feet from where we were sitting.  After we were in bed for a bit they started to howl, it sounded as though they were only feet away.

Sunday am we were up before seven and headed to the Rio Grande to take some photos of the cliffs with the morning sun on them.  As we walked past the amphitheater we roused a bunch of coyotes and started them howling at us.

This is the place to see birds!  This morning along with all the usual finches and cardinals, we saw several Golden-fronted woodpeckers, a scarlet tanager, and a roadrunner walked through as well.  

A park volunteer has told us that the high temp for Monday is supposed to be back up to the 90 range. 

In the afternoon we hiked toward the hot springs, however became concerned with the tome and decided to turn around as we were unsure when sunset would be.  It was still a great hike and we enjoyed being on the trail.  It is not an understatement to say that you need lots of water to do these hikes even in the spring.  

We also spoke with some fire fighters.  They are concerned about the fires in the west and have brought in some smoke jumpers from Mexico.

Tuesday

Pancakes and real maple syrup for breakfast.  Doing laundry and later this am we will head to the Basin and so some hiking up there.  Should be much cooler and we will have some great views.

So far so good!   We are having a blast and enjoying eachothers company and eating far too well.

Had a great hike, great views.