Big Bend and beyond.....

“The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wildnerness.”

           -John Muir

I once read that Big Bend is one of the prettiest and most under visited of all the national parks. This is due to the fact that since it sits at the southern most part of Texas it is not easy to get to.  From Marfa there is a direct route down that only takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes (roughly 100 miles).  However, someone I worked with told me that if I had time to take the scenic route, the drive that borders along Mexico.  This route is only 30 miles more, however, it’s roughly an hour and a half longer due to the two lanes and not so great (insert: shitty) roads.

Halfway through the drive my phone switched over into a Mexican cell phone carrier. Just when we’d think “we’re definitely almost there” we’d see a sign “50 miles: Big Bend”. We seemed to see a lot of “50 miles: Big Bend” signs. But as they say, sometimes it really is more about the journey than the destination.  The drive was gorgeous. It bordered along the Rio Grande River and amazing rock formations.  My TC is a rock climber and kept making climbing references. There was no stopping though, not if we wanted to arrive before August. So onward we drove….the drive is great for getting to know someone (sure at one point my TC wished he’d brought ear plugs).  Eventually we arrived to the Big Bend sign…and…they were closing.  I wasn’t even really sure what that meant –turns out, not much. The woman told us the best place to camp and to have fun.  We drove in for about another 20 minutes until we found our campsite.  Given it was July in Texas it was quite warm out, however, the basin we were camping in sits lower and due to being surrounded by rock was roughly 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the actual temperature.

Full disclosure: this was my first time camping. I mean I assumed I had the gist down but it was nice to have someone with me who actually knew what to do. We set everything up, then proceeded to hike around. Note to self: wear long pants next time.  By the time we made it back we were starving.  I went to the bathroom and proceeded to take a hooker bath, complete with washing my hair in the sink. (I actually think I cleaned up quite nice - no need to ask my TC).

We spent the rest of the night cooking, eating, playing poker (I err…well…lost. I also…well..didn’t know how to play)…..

I hope someday I’m able to go back. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, different places throughout Utah, Sequoia National Forest and this ranks right up there as one of the most beautiful natural places I’ve seen.  Even with the additional 1 ½ hour drive and Mexican cell phone service, I would highly recommend the scenic route….afterall….sometimes the journey really is more important than the destination.