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Big Bend, Day Four

We were supposed to be in picturesque Carlsbad, New Mexico this weekend. Instead, we are staged at an RV park on the outskirts of El Paso, Texas, waiting for our Monday appointment at an RV dealer where we hope to have our finicky water heater repaired. Then, hopefully the same day (Tuesday at the latest), we need to go to an auto glass shop to get replacement glass installed for the inside pane of the driver’s window that mysteriously shattered last week.

Urban RV parks are not our usual thing. This park is older and was designed for skinnier RVs. You know, back when not every RV had multiple slide-outs. Spaces are very close together. Mike actually measured the distance between utility posts to satisfy our curiosity. It’s 21 feet from post to post. Our RV is 12.5 feet wide, with the slides out. In a site that’s 21 feet wide, we have an “extra” 8.5 feet. That’s barely enough room for a lawn chair, not that we’d want to sit outside in this less-than-favorable environment. And we’re pretty close to the interstate, too, so there’s traffic noise day and night. It’s a depressing place.

El Paso overview map. The green arrow points to where we are “camped.”

In the image shared above, you can see how densely populated the area is. You can also see Juarez, Mexico in the lower left third of the image.

We are hoping the water heater and glass repairs all happen tomorrow (Monday) so we don’t have to return to this spot in East El Paso. It’s definitely not a happy, relaxing place. The sooner we can get out of here, the better.

I’m not complaining, really. It’s all part of the adventure. Besides, with nothing else to do, I can go through more of my pics from Big Bend National Park (BBNP) to share here.

If you look at a map of BBNP, you’ll see there are several distinct areas. Our campground was near the western side of the park in Study Butte/Terlingua. On our fourth trip into the park, we drove to the eastern side to see Rio Grande Village.

Rio Grande Village map

 

Looking south toward Mexico from the Boquillas Canyon Overlook.

 

Looking toward the Sierra del Carmen Mountains (in Mexico) from the Boquillas Canyon Overlook.

It would have been nice to hike through the canyon, but we had Belle with us. At BBNP, pets are not allowed on trails, off roads, or on the river. Basically, your pet can only go where your car can go. Having Belle along limited what we could do in the park, but she hates being left alone in the RV. We both agreed we would rather miss out on a few activities than severely stress Belle out at this advanced age in her life (she will be 15 in June).

Mike and Belle waiting while I took some photos.

 

You can see Boquillas Canyon in the top-center of the frame if you look closely and use your imagination.

 

Prickly Pear Cactus with pink needles.

 

The Sierra del Carmen mountain range, which is in Mexico, can be seen in the distance.

 

I think this was called a Rainbow Cactus.

 

Looking at the Sierra del Carmen mountains from the parking lot of the Rio Grande Visitor Center.

 

Tunnel near the Rio Grande Overlook.

 

Belle and Mike waiting for me to finish taking pictures again.

 

Big Bend Blue Bonnet (wildflowers)

 

Petrified Wood

 

Pink Prickly Pear Cactus

 

Petrified Wood

 

Thompson’s Yucca

 

Driving toward the Chisos Mountains.

 

One of my favorite rocky outcrops not far from the Maverick Junction entrance to the park (near Study Butte/Terlingua).

The best thing about staying close to the national park over an extended period of time was that we didn’t feel forced to cram a bunch of stuff into every day. Some days, we didn’t even leave the campsite.

Another good thing about staying close to the park is being able to visit at different times of day. Believe it or not, things look different throughout the day due to the ever-changing angle of sunlight throughout the day.

BBNP is truly an amazing place. In my next post, I’ll tell you all about one of the hikes I took while we were there.