Big Bend National Park

 When you fall in love with the Big Bend, you just can't get enough of it. We were back in our old familiar stomping grounds this past week.  This year's bunch of outlaws might be taking shorter hikes and taking afternoon siesta time, but the good times are still rolling.  Archie Rison, Mike Sanders, Erwin Lehmann, Debbie Scott, Jane Garza, Kathy and Glenn Schulze, and Yours Truly made the 2024 trek. 

 

  

 Hiked 5 mile round trip to Cattail Falls.  Photo taken at the iconic oak near where the Homer Wilson home once stood.

 

Kathy and Glenn

 

Debbie, Archie and Mike

 

Strawberry Cactus

Rainbow Cactus

Headed into Cattail Falls Canyon

Slow and careful approach to falls

Archie

Falls in background behind Erwin

Many Monarch Butterflies fluttering around the falls area. This one stopped for a photo. Got to wonder if she will make it to Central Mexico before the first freeze.

This is what Poison Oak looks like

Cardinal Flower is a native beauty of west Texas

Yellow Columbine is found in wet shaded canyons in the west. One of my favorites native flowers

Boquillas Canyon Trail - 2 miles roundtrip

For those that are hiking along the river, there will be stations of handmade crafts along the trails which supports the Mexican people of Boquillas. This is the first time we had seen tamales for sell.

Jane and Debbie and I with the Rio Grande behind us.

Spotted Whip-tail Lizard

Rio Grande Leopard Frog

 

I'm thinking "Bear Den"! Estimated population of Black Bears in Big Bend is 30-40. 

Signage at Boquillas Hot Spring - water temperature as it comes out of ground is 105 degrees.

Short Trail to Hot Spring

 

There are no strangers at Boquillas Hot Springs. 

Archie, Erwin and I soaking in the mineral hot spring. That is the Rio Grande is just behind us. 

Three-foot Diamondback Rattlesnake crawling in the weeds at edge of the trail at Dugout Wells.

Roadside Coyote

There we are.... outside patio at Starlight Theater in Terlingua

Starlight Theater on last night .... the Pork Medallions are excellent!

 

 Live music by singer/songwriter Sarah Burton

This Week In Sports

 It was a whirlwind week of activities ......

 

Cora in 8th Grade Volleyball at Barry Miller

Gabriel's 7th grade class at West Jr High hiked at Brazos Bend

Trail break photo of Gabriel and classmates

Haley killing the volleyball for Dawson Jr Varsity

Luca (4th grade)and Conner coming off club soccer win with their brothers there in support.

 

After his game, Luca got to take a photo with his favorite Dynamo player, Amine Bassi.
 

Ryan (6th grade) playing club soccer.
 

Dawson Volleyball Bingo - Sophomores Haley and Addie calling.
 

Navarro Class Reunion

 Navarro Classes 0f 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970 got together this weekend at Sherman and Joy's river place. It was a fun time with life-long friends.  We were a very small school with 15-20 students per grade level and many of us have known each other since the first grade. 

Can't wait for next year! 

Click! There we are frozen in time on September 28, 2024. By the way, I can't find Shirley or Louise in the photo?

 

Benito and I grew up hunting, fishing and swimming in the Geronimo Creek . He knows more about my childhood days than anyone except my brothers.

The beauties and the beast! Sorry Steve, I couldn't help it!

Michigan Vacation

Beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan....referred to simply the U.P. .........Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, beautiful crystal clear waters of Lake Superior, Munising Falls, Tahquamenon Falls, Whitefish Point Shipwreck Museum, Yoopers Rocks, pasties, Soo Locks, Edmond Fitzgerald, whitefish chowder, Mackinaw Island, Castle Rock, and  lighthouses.

Part of the reason for this trip was to celebrate Bruce's birthday by taking him back to the place of his youth.... Sawyer Air Force Base and nearby city of Gwinn. It was a trip down memory for Bruce. We found the house where he lived and went by the school and other landmarks. I got a kick out of the mascot of Gwinn High School..... they are called the "MODELTOWNERS" . 

 

 

Dinner in Marquette

Waters of Lake Superior

Got to have a pasty for lunch

                              Pasties are the traditional lunch of the the miners.                              

                Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - check out the kayaker! I have to go back some day and paddle this shoreline.

Munising Falls

Tahquamenon Falls

                                           Fall is coming soon

Bees were all over this New England Aster

Whitefish Point Lighthouse

Whitefish Point Shipwreck Museum

                                                Soo Locks

                                            I'm waving from Castle Rock

 

Sunset Motel flowers

 

Ferry ride to Mackinaw Island

 

 

Mackinaw Island Lighthouse
 

Mackinaw Island - This is so us, Sally is not even half finished with her ice cream when I finish.
 

Bees on the Dahlia blooms

Menominee North Pier Lighthouse