Day 5, Big Bend Ranch State Park

OK, we actually drove along the edge of the Big Bend Ranch State Park, along TX Rt 170 to Presidio, TX.  Great drive!  We had considered going out that way when we leave here on Monday.  But research and talking to people who have driven it all sounded like we don't want to take the camper on that road.  After driving it today I know we could do it; but don't want to!  Steep hills and sharp curves make it problematic for a large trailer.  Check the photos and you'll see some of what I mean.  But it sure was a beautiful drive in the truck!

Outside Presidio we stopped at the Ft. Leaton State Historic Site for a picnic lunch and a tour of the site.  This is dated as 1683, same as the town of Presidio.  That of course was Spanish settlement.  The Fort was really just a very large home for a family that grew over time to become a trading post for the Texas-Mexico trade and a focal point for the local population.  It was occupied until the late 1920s.  The state of Texas took over and restored it in the 1960s.

We tried the pizza place again tonight.  Still not open at 5:15 with 4 cars parked out front.  Only one car remained after we left.  We came home and cooked for ourselves.

Along the Rio Grande

Callahan getting a taste of the Rio Grande

High above the Rio

Upstream on the Rio

They don't bother with bridges, just put out flood gauges

Lajitas Tx

Lajitas TX, the Rio Grande and Lajitas MX

Fort Leaton

Texas size garden cart?

Day 4 Big Bend

Started as a cold morning, like they forecast.  So we had planned to do some simple looking around.  We began at the park's dinosaur fossil exhibit.  That was pretty interesting, especially since they are still finding things.  One critter had only been found in the park in 2013, previously not known to have lived in this area.  

Then a drive over to the eastern part of the park, Rio Grande Village, for some curiosity seeking.  We were there last year too and this just refreshed our memories.  Callahan got to come along for the ride today.  

When we got back to camp we wanted to check out some trails behind the campground.  A neighbor had told us there are a lot of trails out there and of course we could take Callahan on those.  Turns out to be a complex of multiple use trails, horse, bike, ATV, walking.  And Golf!  There is the remains of an 18 hole golf course out there.  Ball washers, electric infrastructure but no sign of what the electricity was used for.  The tees are there with signs but it is hard to tell where the holes were!  Last reference on the internet was 2008, it was reported as being somewhat in disrepair.

The fire chief we met back in Seminole Canyon told us about a great pizza joint, Long Draw Pizza, just outside of Terlingua so we wanted to try it out tonight.  It is run by one woman who works alone, only open Wed-Sun.  No cell phone allowed, if your phone rings while in her establishment you are asked to leave!  Well, she was closed.  It's Friday.  But he said she is pretty independent.  Four other cars also checked the lot while we were there (for five minutes).  We went back to the High Sierra Bar & Grill in Terlingua Ghost Town for enchiladas.  Very good!

Tonight it is raining, for the first time since Georgia.  Or was it New Orleans?  Kind of noisy on the roof.  It is otherwise very quiet in the camper.  Nothing on the radio.  I mean nothing in a full scan of both AM and FM, not even a weak signal.  Not even a Mexican station.  We have tuned in a few Spanish stations down here, we enjoy listening to the Mexican music.  Had to get the CDs from the truck.

Tyrannosaurus

Deinosuchas, the Swamp Thing

Quetzalcoatlus

The 15th hole

Cowboy graveyard, for the tourists on horseback rides

Horse trail, the RV park in the distance

Day 3 Big Bend

Nice day hike to "The Window" from Chisos Basin.  This is a downhill hike to the place they call the Window. It is a spot on a dry creek bed where the water (when it's there) passes through a hole in the wall; two large walls which open only about 15 feet for the water to leave the basin over a huge waterfall.  I don't know how far it drops because I was not about to venture that close to the edge on polished rock!  Neither of us got this dang old by doing dumb stuff like that, HAHAHAHA

We got back to camp early enough that I had time to get the bike out of the garage (the toy hauler compartment in the camper) and finally go for a ride! 

The first Choilla cactus we've seen this trip

Note the steps built into the rock in the background, but not everywhere!

The Window

Some really fine rock layers, upheaved sideways!

A budding tree, we are still seeking its identity