Big Bend 2022

 

 

"Desperadoes waiting for the train" - Thanks Guy Clark for a great song

 

No trip to the Big Bend is complete without an evening at the Starlight Theater in Terlingua

 

Around our table - Erwin Lehmann, me, Mike Sanders, Archie Rison, Jane Garza, Debbie Scott and Bob Rendon.  Another line from Guy comes to mind - "Old friends shine like Diamonds."

 

It's cold and windy on the road to Presidio but not too cold for some short hikes 

                                           Rio Grande River at Big Hill.

                                         Mouth of Closed Canyon -  1.6 mile hike

Closed Canyon Trail

Closed Canyon Trail is in Big Bend State Park

Yellow Bells blooming in the canyon

From this point you would have to have rappelling rope to reach the Rio Grande. 

Santa Teresa de Jesus de Avila in Presidio. Presidio is located at the confluence of the Rio Grande and Conchos rivers. Back in 1535, Cabeza de Vaca was the first European to visit the native american pueblo that existed where Presidio stands today. 

 

Hoodoos Trail

Hedgehog Cactus

Hoodoos are tall thin spires of rock formed by wind and/or water erosion.

Pickleball has even made it to an off the grid place like Terlingua. On this day, it was too cold and windy to play. 

About 3/4 mile to the opening of Santa Elena Canyon

 

Something big was stirring around in the canebrake. It just hunkered down in the dark of the canebrake and we never got a look at it.  Bear? Javalina? It will forever remain a  mystery.

 

 duPont hiking group is still going strong. 

Erwin and I have been exploring the outdoors together since 1979. He was a student of mine at Smithson Valley High School where I taught from 1976 to 1981.

Jimsonweed blooming near entrance to Santa Elena.  Very poisonous to humans.