Category: Travel

 

Traveling the world has been a long time passion. this is where I share all my  travel stories and experiences.

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.

PhotoPOSTcard: The Other Big Bend Park – Big Bend Ranch State Park

Everything is bigger in Texas, so it should not be a surprise that a state park adjacent to Big Bend National Park contains almost 300, 000 scenic acres.  For almost 30 miles from Lajitas to Presidio, the El Camino del Rio, or River Road follows the meandering curves of the Rio Grande river.  Big Bend Ranch Sate Park offers camping, hiking and river rafting activities. No time for any of that? Then just a drive along this scenic route and enjoy an ancient volcanic landscape sculpted by wind and water.

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

Big Bend Lodging: Finding Paradise in Eve’s Garden B&B

I like to find interesting and funky accommodations when I travel. That’s not saying that I don’t stay at chain hotels when I just need a quick night’s sleep as I move from one location to another. But when I want to experience the real personality of a destination, then I prefer to stay in a unique local establishment. My first night’s Big Bend lodging at Eve’s Garden B&B in Marathon, TX was one of the most unique, colorful and tasty stays I have ever had.

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PhotoPOSTcard: A Little Bit of Italy in Marathon, TX

No, this is not Italy – this is still Texas. The Gage Gardens in Marathon, TX is a beautiful garden in the middle of the desert. It’s a surprisingly green and lush landscape amid the dry native desert that surrounds it. The 27 acre garden includes ponds, walking and jogging trails and a nine hole putting green.

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.

PhotoPOSTcard: The Historic Castolon District in Big Bend

In the historic Castolon district in Big Bend National Park , you can still view the remnants of human habitation and learn about the farming  history that began here around 1900 and continued through 1961. The site also includes the remains of a military outpost that was built in 1916 in response to the revolution going on in Mexico at that time. The area is especially scenic with the 3000 foot Cerro Castellan Peak hovering over the terrain.

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: Storm Clouds Over the Chisos

As I was driving through Big Bend National Park it was hard to believe that I was passing through a desert. The park consists of the Chihuahuan Desert and the Chisos mountain range. The rainy season was just ending in early Sept. when I was there, so the desert approach toward the Chisos was still very green. In fact, the mountains were attracting more storm clouds as I was approaching the area, creating very dramatic scenery that was perfect for photography.

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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