Saturday, June 6, 2015

Big Bend

February hosts the rents' (Andrew's parents) visit and this year Betsy joined us all for a trip back to Big Bed.

I mean Big Bend.

I am so sleep deprived.

You could visit Big Bend a hundred times and find something new on each trip.  We usually try and stay in or around Terlingua, but we were too late with booking and everything was occupied.  It seems that Terlingua and the Ghost Town are becoming more and more popular and it is getting harder to find accommodation any less than three months in advance.

This worked in our favor this year as we found this neat little rental house a few minutes drive from Study Butte.


There is a decent amount of land on the property, allowing for a good ramble up and over a significant hilly area.


Last year, we stayed at Retro Rents camp ground.  Driving by the place, we noticed that a couple of the campers seem to have burned to the ground, including the Airstream we rented.  Quite ironic as the trailer flooded during our stay.



Also ironic, is that we have camped in Big Bend many times and never encountered creepy crawlies, but in this house we found two of these:

Nope, no idea what it is.  Don't wanna know, thank you.

Following are a some photos taken during a few of the hikes we took.  

The mornings were quite chilly.

On our way to Lower Burro Mesa Pour-off.

Interesting fruity looking plant


I figured I probably couldn't navigate this with a baby strapped to my chest so I stayed up top.


Finn seemed to enjoy herself!










The Grapevine Hills trail is an old favorite of ours.



Grapevine Hills is misleading as a name; this trail leads to a huge balanced rock.  I suppose Arches National Park already has a copyright on that name.




We took a drive out to "The Land" and everyone took the annual pilgrimage to the camp chair on the top of the hill.  










We also hiked Indian Head, and while everyone hiked down through the "Window", Mary, Finn and I walked up through Oak Springs trail to meet them.  

By far, my favorite hike is Lost Mines and I recommend it to anyone visiting Big Bend.  Many times, I have attempted a hike on Lost Mines trail.  The trail head is just off the main road leading to Chisos Basin and there is limited parking on the roadside.  This means that you get one chance to park, assuming there is a space as you drive by.  If you want to hike this trail you need to come early.  This time, we were in luck!

Lost Mines trail is definitely worth the multiple parking attempts.   At around 5 miles long, and a 1000 foot climb, it offers wonderful vistas!




Juniper Canyon in the background


Picnic and a diaper change at the top!

I really need a selfie stick.
~~~~August 9th~~~~




This mountain might be Casa Grande?



We took another route home through Big Bend State Park.  

This is one of my favorite viewpoints in the state park.  This does not feel like Texas.






Terlingua Ghost Town is becoming quite popular.


Finley enjoyed her trip to Big Bend - she loved the changing scenery and she napped so well being carried all day long.  Of course, I took another 3,295 photos of this sweet little one.






Finley with her BFF (BreastFed Friend), Clementine


Having a baby with hair provides opportunity for fun.



Finn grows a fin

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