Category: Nature

 

I love experiencing the great outdoors and sharing my photos and stories.

Looking for Things to do in Big Bend? – My 25 Big Bend Experiences to Inspire Your Next Itinerary

I think the Big Bend area of West Texas is an undiscovered jewel in our National Park system. My first visit was in 1990 and I loved it then and loved it even more on a recent trip in September which was a perfect time to explore the park. The weather was not super hot (low 80’s during the day) and it was not at all crowded since the busy season had not yet started. So, for those trying to figure out what to do in West Texas country, I am sharing my 25 favorite things to do in Big Bend to inspire your next trip itinerary to one of the least crowded National Parks in the lower 48 states.

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Let My Big Bend Photography Inspire Your Next Visit

I have been posting many individual Big Bend photos from my recent visit to the Big Bend National Park area of Texas. I have gathered up 25 of my favorites into this one post for your enjoyment and reference.  So let my Big Bend photography inspire your next visit to one of my favorite National Parks.

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PhotoPOSTcard: Sotol Vista Sunset

Another great spot for watching the sunset in Big Bend National Park is the Sotol Vista viewpoint. When I got there just before sunset, I found that the area had recently experienced a wildfire. The ground was still charcoal black, many of the sotol plants were yellow and dried out, and there was still a slight burnt odor in the air. But none of this detracted from the view across the desert toward the Santa Elena canyon in the distance as the sun dipped below the clouds for a spectacular sunset. Make sure you catch a Sotol Vista sunset when you visit.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

Please note that my visit to the Big Bend area was hosted by Visit Big Bend but all content is my own.

On the Trail to Balanced Rock in Big Bend – Taking a Hike Down Memory Lane

“I’m tired” whined my three-and-a-half year old son. He was dragging his feet and kicking up sand on the flat part of the Grapevine Hills trail to the Balanced Rock  in Big Bend National Park. As I trekked along the same trail 28 years later, I could still clearly hear his voice across time and space. How had the years flown by so quickly?

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PhotoPOSTcard: Balanced Rock Viewpoint

The balanced rock hiking trail is one of the most popular day hikes in Big Bend National Park, probably because it is fairly easy. The first 9/10 of a mile are level and only the last 2/10 require a scramble up and over rocky terrain. The reward is a lovely view across the desert toward the Chisos mountains through the “window” formed by a very large balancing boulder.

Thanks for visiting

Rose

Please note that my visit to the Big Bend area was hosted by Visit Big Bend but all content is my own.

PhotoPOSTcard: Rio Grande Reflection

I can’t resist a reflection photo when I see one, so I had to take this one of the canyon walls reflecting in the Rio Grande in Big Bend’s Santa Elena canyon area. The river was too high and the bank was too muddy to hike to the mouth of the canyon, so I had to be satisfied with this early morning view instead – not a bad alternative.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

Please note that my visit to the Big Bend area was hosted by Visit Big Bend but all content is my own.

The Stars at Night Are Bright in Texas – Big Bend Dark Skies, The Best Place to See the Milky Way

“The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas”

I knew that when my 3 1/2  year old son came home from preschool singing these lyrics from the song “Deep In the Heart of Texas” that he had acclimated to our move to Houston. Six months after we moved to the Lone Star State, we took a trip into the heart of Texas and discovered the truth behind the Texas dark skies in Big Bend National Park. The Big Bend dark skies were the best place to see the milky way in the lower 48 states.

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