Big Bend July 16-18

[wngrog]

I had the only tracks. No rain in 4 days. No traffic but me since.

The mouth of Santa Elena Canyon. This is where my crew was spit out 26 years ago from my first Big Bend adventure.

Dinner tonight of ceviche, venison and Starlight Sotol margaritas

 

[wngrog]

So I was 2 Sotol margaritas in when this sweaty brunette out of central casting for hot alone chicks in the desert walks in with a camera over her shoulder.

It was a Nikon so I walked out without looking back.....

 

[ntsaint]

Dude I can't believe you waded into Mexico...

Awesome pics

 

[wngrog]

I got up early and beat the heat and crowds to Lost Mine.

I say crowds but this is the most popular hike. I started passing folks on the way down. Guide book said 3-4 hours and my old ass knocked it out in 2. Saw a deer at the peak. First one I've seen in the park

Last night in the way home from Terlingua I witnessed the most breathtaking sunset of my life coupled with a crescent moonrise. I literally stopped 10 times to try to take it in. I took some pics on my real camera I'll have to check out. I am sad I have not learned more about photography to capture that sight correctly.

 

[wngrog]

Hike pics

 

[wngrog]

 

[wngrog]

So after talking to @Ranger Yeti thid morning (more on this bad ass later) I've decided to drive yet farther away from Mississippi today and skirt Big Bend State park to Presidio then further NW to Ruidosa then across 2820 to Marfa.

Hope to get to Davis Mountains State Park for a night of camping.

More later. Just aired up and I'm off.

 

[wngrog]

 

[cbmontgo]

That is awesome.

 

[wngrog]

Lajitas to Presidio was beautiful.

So was lunch

 

[wngrog]

So I headed upriver and farther west to check out Palo Pinto Canyon Rd.

The only thing on this river road is Border Patrol. They were 4 on the 39 mile stretch.

Ruidosa was a cluster of shacks overlooking the Rio Grande. I saw some sketchy folks at the junction so I drive past and photographed back

The road for the first few miles was wide open smooth gravel. I drifted some corners like a trophy truck driver. I came around a corner fast and the ass fell out of the road into a live spring crossing the road in a bottleneck full of cows. This one almost met Mr @sleeoffroad personally.

 

[wngrog]

The road narrowed and the mountains on both sides of the road closed in

Once you cross into this ranch the desert vanished and oak and cedar took over. What an unreal suprise. I can't wait to research this place. It must be a huge ranch the mountains they own are unbelievable

The road follows a wash with running water the first few miles.

Once again I was completely alone. It's like I rented the state of Texas for this Trip

 

[wngrog]

After Pinto Canyon Ranch ends you climb out of the valley and the road to Marfa is smooth and wide and beautiful.

Just as Ranger Yeti predicted Border Patrol ran me down

Next up I drive around Marfa. It's a hipster town. Full of assholes. Not the locals the visitors. Its a place I could hang out with Red but not after 3 days of solitude.

 

[JCBELWOOD]

It's hipster as hell, but get a grilled cheese from The Museum of Electronic Wonders & Late Night Grill Cheese Parlour. We are heading back down that way in a couple weeks, nobody believes how beautiful it gets 10 miles south of IH10 until you show them pictures….

 

[Bossman]

I worked out of a Travelall just like that back in the 70's! Same color and everything. Glad I'm not there or I would be trying to figure out how to get it home...

 

[wngrog]

Made it to Menard TX. Was headed to Brady for old time sake but saw this sign and had to stop.

And Josh. Thanks for the post and text.

I actually went around Ft Davis. I'll post that sidebar up tomorrow.

Goodnight all.

 

[wngrog]

At Mafra I headed north. My destination was Davis Mtn State Park. It has plenty of elevation for a cool nights sleep.

Just south of Ft Davis there is a loop that circles the Davis Mountains clockwise.

Further west. Further from home at 5:00 on Saturday.

Screw it. It's too early to sleep.

Once again I was the only person in Texas. The loop was amazing. The scenic dots on my atlas did not lie.

 

[wngrog]

Again decision time.

I'm at the farthest point west. Left to I 10. Put some hours in. It doesn't get dark on this edge of the central time zone until 10:00

Camping still wins so I head south yet again to Davis observatory and the State park.

I pull up at the same time as a couple in a new Range Rover. They got out while I was sitting there and the girl told her fella he needed one of those big bumpers for his "jeep" pointing at my truck.

I caught a glimpse of some sideboob as she pointed and I went into expert creep mode.

 

[FJ60Cam]

That's some 5th degree black belt level ninja'n right there.

 

[ntsaint]

Outstanding work.