It’s February, the weather is in the 80’s (above normal, even for the Big Bend), so let’s go take a hike! My high school buddy, Walt, is in town and we’re heading out for a day hike through a small region in Big Bend Ranch State Park, a remote state park in the Texas ParksContinue reading “Rios Homestead, Big Bend Ranch State Park”
Category Archives: Big Bend
Glenn Springs, Big Bend National Park
This past weekend, Jodie & I hooked the camper to the Jeep and headed down to our favorite backyard location, Big Bend National Park. Our goal for this trip was to drive the Glenn Springs Road/Black Gap Road/River Road backcountry roads in our Jeep Rubicon, which we have not yet done in this vehicle (afterContinue reading “Glenn Springs, Big Bend National Park”
The South Rim
It’s hot…really HOT. So far this month the little weather station on my desk has topped 100 degrees every day. Last month was the hottest June we’ve had in the 10 years we’ve lived in Marathon, TX. But, it’s always cool up on the south rim of the Chisos Mountains, in Big Bend National Park. And, withContinue reading “The South Rim”
Blood Marks the Trail
If you love the outdoors, and especially the desert outdoors, then you have probably read Edward Abbey, and in particular, Desert Solitaire. The line in that book that has forever branded itself into my psyche reads, “In the first place you can’t see anything from a car; you’ve got to get out of the goddamned contraptionContinue reading “Blood Marks the Trail”
Marufo Vega Revisited
It has been awhile since I threw on the backpack and headed out the Marufo Vega Trail, one of my most favorite hikes in Big Bend National Park, and one of the best kept secrets in the entire park. With two consecutive days of 80+ degree sunny weather, the timing was perfect, as were theContinue reading “Marufo Vega Revisited”
On the Border
January/February in the Big Bend is a great time to explore. Because of the lower elevation and southern latitude, winters here are very mild, and this year is no exception. A week in the border country was an opportunity to catch up with several friends, both old and new(er), and so Jodie & I hookedContinue reading “On the Border”
Back on the Mountain
It’s July again, and that means time to train for this year’s backpacking trip to the high mountains. That means spending some time on the High Chisos trails in Big Bend National Park. And so, with a break in the weather (afternoon thunderstorms that usually don’t arrive until July and August) I packed up andContinue reading “Back on the Mountain”
Go Take a Walk in the Desert
Sometimes you go for a walk for exercise, and sometimes you go for a walk just to discover. This weekend we had a clear sky and a full moon, so I decided to get out into the desert for an evening of discovery, and I was rewarded with beauty. The afternoon was clear, sunny andContinue reading “Go Take a Walk in the Desert”
The 40-Year Bloom
At the risk of boring you to the point of not revisiting our site again, I’m going to chance it and present an update to the magnificent flowering desert that many old-timers (older than me) are calling a “40-year bloom.” The bluebonnets have been blooming since February, and are still marvelous, reaching heights of overContinue reading “The 40-Year Bloom”
It’s Spring in Big Bend
Word on the street is that the desert is in full bloom, so yesterday Jodie & I had to get out and see for ourselves. Truth is, the reports were far understated! We have been spending springtime in the Big Bend of Texas for 44 years, and never have we seen the desert so green, soContinue reading “It’s Spring in Big Bend”
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