Big Bend National Park - Tx

 

After spending a week in Phoenix with our friend Darrell, it was back on the road to Texas.  A quick stop on the way outside Marfa, where this trip began all those months ago, so Jakki could check out the shops, well one really. And it’s still closed.

There’s also a new art installation causing some controversy as it’s ‘sponsored’ by a famous company.  Less art, more advertising.

Then onto the park.

 

We were greeted into the park by a couple of critters.  Our first encounter was with a large and very hairy Tarantula, fortunately we didn’t manage to get a picture and second was this cute little Rattlesnake.

 

Couple of pictures of sunset from outside our lodge,

 

 

Our first full day in the park we tried to do a hike down the Santa Elena Canyon, but, due to the rains the creek had washed away part of the trail and was too deep to cross.

  

Instead we hiked down Tuff Canyon.  View from the top,

 

and from the bottom,

 

A second hike took us down another canyon,

 

Which ended in this sheer rock face with a water chute cut into it.

 

Our last day in the park we decided to try the Window Trail.  I’m just not sure if I’m in the right continent,  I didn’t think they had lions here…

Some amazing rock formations on the way down;

 

Us at the ‘window’

 

What you don’t really see from these pictures is the sudden 400 foot drop just behind us.

 

Caught a glimpse of a coyote on the trail on our way back, before he ran off.

 

Our last hike was to Boquillas Canyon almost at the eastern edge of the park.  To get there you walk down the side of the Rio Grande. 

I’m standing in America with Mexico behind me on the other side of the river.

 

We kept coming across these piles of ‘trinkets’ with price lists pinned under rocks and tin cans to collect your payment.

 

And every now and then there’s a border infringement as the Mexicans cross to check to see if you’ve bought anything.

 

One enterprising chap sings (opera) to the hikers as they pass.

 

and then you see the ‘donations’ jar just a little further down the trail.

End of the trail.

the end of the USA, across the river is Mexico

 

and, sadly, the end of our trip.

 

We left Big Bend and returned to Harry’s in Houston, before heading back to the UK…

 

 

 

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Grand Canyon

 

So we couldn't pass through Arizona without popping into the Grand Canyon – one of the most famous of the parks. Unfortunately weather was still not in our favour so day 1 was very wet and soggy but day 2 was back to the usual sunny Arizona.

Driving towards the canyon you start to get a sense of what is to come

And then once you are inside the park you get your first views and realise why over 5 million people visit per year.  Note the muddy red/brown colour of the river due to the heavy rains from the last few days.

 

So the canyon is a mile down and 277 miles long by 18 miles wide, all carved by the Colorado river. The south rim is the most visited and gives great views all the way along

 

 

 

And then the weather came in which meant suspended buses and huddling for shelter

 

Two things you are supposed to do in the park, a) sunset

 

 

 

and b) sunrise.  (Only one of us made it to sunrise!) The colour changes on the rocks are quite amazing to watch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Zion

 

We visited Zion with Ma and Pa Allen almost 18 months ago and saw it in the snow. We said we would be back but didn't expect to be back quite so soon. However, we weren't far and couldn't hike in the rain any more so thought we would swing by

First sight to greet you is the Mesa Checkerboard which is made of Navajo sandstone and unusually has 2 sets of lines forming the pattern.

 

 

 

How do trees grow in places like this

More stunning rock formations as you drive through the heart of the park

 

Is that blue sky I see up there. Don't worry it didn't last long

 

 

Top of the mountain disappearing back into clouds for the next burst of rain

 

Also don't let the rainbow lure you into thinking the rain has really finished

 

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