ENDLESS ADVENTURE USA: BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TEXAS

We set out for Big Bend National Park on Jan. 25th, after leaving San Antonio. We experienced our first "on the road" issue while getting gas in Sonora, TX. While filling up with gas we noticed one of the rear tires was completely flat, it required us to use Frank's roadside assistance coverage. It was about 30 minutes when the tire repairman, Junior, showed up. He quickly figured out the tire was fine but the tire valve was bad, he had parts on his truck and repairs were made quickly. We are grateful for Sonora Tires, and got back on the road quickly before turning in for the night at a rest stop.

    After restocking groceries the next morning at the Walmart in Fort Stockton we drove the 150 miles, or so, down to Big Bend National Park. We checked in at the Rio Grande Village National Park campground and went on our first hike almost immediately. The sun was about to set so we hiked up the nature trail to view the Sierra Del Carmen mountains at sunset. It was a beautiful way to end the day.

We booked a week at the campground so there were some relaxation days planned. The first outing was a full day along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, plenty of stops and short hikes with time for video making at Santa Elena Canyon - we try to send short videos to the grand kids so they know where Grandpa is at. The day was concluded with 14 miles of 4-wheeling along Old Maverick Road before our return trip to the campground.

Monday was spent relaxing in the sun at the campground, we did end up moving to a different spot as we needed more sun in order for the solar panel to keep up with our minimal needs. We used the new 12-volt water pump that we acquired to fill our RV water tank from our two 7 gallon water jugs and avoid moving the RV to fill up. After some tweaking with a wire hanger, electrical tape, and a cut off piece of hose the system was performing nicely - yeah! (no more lifting the 7-gallon water jugs). We did venture to the Boquilla's Overlook for a quick hike at the end of the day.

Up and out early on Tuesday, heading to Chisos Canyon for hikes and sightseeing in the higher elevation areas. We stopped on the way to 4-wheel to the Grapevine Trail so we could hike up to see the Balanced Rock canyon area - very worthwhile! We stopped at the Chisos Canyon Visitor Center and explored some of the trails that start from this point. There had been recent mountain lion sightings or encounters so one of us was on extra alert. We ran out of time and had to return later in the week to do the Lost Mine Trail. It was a good trail, but the final destination wasn't quite what we hoped for. There was no indication as to where the mine had been.

During one of our days off we discovered that we do not have enough power to use the 12-volt crockpot while we are powered solely by the one solar panel and single house battery. So yet more knowledge gained on our journey, we seem to be getting more interested in minimizing our dependency on electric or gas-powered energy. The weather has been great for bike riding around the campground and lounging in the sun a bit. Laundry was done at the store right outside of the campground - convenient, clean, and free wi-fi was available.

We left Big Bend taking Hwy 118, and took a detour on Hwy 170 to Terlingua Ghost Town.  We drove through this area which looks like - "Ghost Town meets Hippie Haven" with artistic touches to the historic buildings and grounds. Terlingua has been repopulated. Our journey continues on as we head North to Fort Davis for a quick tour of this historic site. We pulled into Davis Mountains State Park in the early evening for a quick meal and rest before heading back out early the next morning. The roads in this area wind up through the mountains and offer great views of the beautiful countryside. With country music playing, sun shining, and our RV running strong we are bound for our next stop at Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

RG & FP