BIg Bend MLK January 2016

[wngrog]

The reason I was laying on the tracks

Sam Nell Ranch NP

Some of the most amazing paved drives are in this area too. The road from Lajitas to the park along the Rio. A++++

 

[BMThiker]

Yes, that last one is my favorite of the bunch so far. TLCA calendar worthy stuff there.

 

[ntsaint]

Looks like we did 408 miles from entrance of Natl Park to exit of State Park. A full 275 of those were on dirt.

 

[pmccraney]

So, i guess it's my turn to post up some of the goods; At this point, you've seen the scenery and the trucks doing their thing. I'll try keep it interesting and not post anything redundant.

I guess I'll start with the international man of leisure with his expedition ladder (we can't decide whether to market as "tactical" or "extreme").

The "javelins" doing their thing and snorting around:

The Chisos Whitetail:

Bailey conducting international trade and perhaps violating a federal law or international treaty or something like that:

Good thing she paid up or else the guy across the river staring at her through binocs probably would have offed us all that night:

 

[pmccraney]

A few signs we ignored:

This one didn't bother me because I already ate paint chips as a kid; I licked a few bricks to finish the job;

Challenge accepted; precisely why we came:

This road was the best paved surface I have ever driven a vehicle on.

 

[ntsaint]

^ truth. The million dollar highway has nothing on that 40 mile stretch.

 

[pmccraney]

The elusive wild Rock Midget scampering up rocks in his natural habitat.

This kid knows how to have fun:

And her youthful enthusiasm was contagious:

 

[pmccraney]

We avoided incarceration; both here:

And here:

 

[pmccraney]

We saw lots of papalotes (windmills)... Both new:

And old:

 

[pmccraney]

We ate authentic mexican food:

We hung out here and I bought a knife hand forged by local artisan that holds magical powers (I choose to ignore the fact that it says "timber rattler - made in China" on the blade):

Checked our location during a random period of cell service:

Aired up the tires and said farewell to our friends in this cool little town:

The end.....

If you want to see more pics of wheeling and scenery and such, you can go here (the link also includes some pictures taken by Nolen and Andy that I dropped in there, so there may be a few duplicates):

Big Bend - Shared - Patrick McCraney

 

[Fireman]

My Favorite! Describes the whole trip on all levels! Some great family bonding time and great friendships made and old ones strengthened.

 

[Nottajeep]

How do those OEM racks hold up with the tents on top?

 

[Fireman]

@pmccraney Do you mind if I share that link with Ardenne on Facebook?

 

[Fireman]

@jasonbraswell They did great. Rock solid. I'll post a thread in the 100 section.

 

[pmccraney]

@Fireman Please feel free to share.

 

[wngrog]

I like the way Fireman had his on the stock rack versus the way I advised Patrick to do his with the Yakima on the stock rack.

 

[wngrog]

So, as PMc said I was constantly reading the guidebooks. We got to Johnson Ranch and the book said the Rio was a short walk through the Cottonwoods.

We pulled up and I struck out.

I heard Andy muttering that this was "By Far" the low point of the trip.....

 

[Fireman]

Roof top tent on factory rack

 

[wngrog]

I found Patrick......

 

[ntsaint]

I heard Andy muttering that this was "By Far" the low point of the trip.....

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Tongue in cheek of course