2019-01-31-Thurs Big Bend National Park to Van Horn TX

Woke up to pitch black outside even though it was 6:30 or 7:00. We must  be getting to the other side of the time zone. Walked to breakfast (in the dark) and had a nice B'fast, then back to the room. There is very little cell service here and the wifi works if you stand outside the visitor center (hot tip from one of the young folks who works here, "and they leave the wifi on all night!!")









After yesterday, I decide to download some maps of this part of Texas so I can use them offline. I also downloaded some podcasts which we have been getting into (Country Music history, I am slowly converting Deb..)
We decided to do an hour and a half hike this morning and then do another short hike along the Rio Grande. Overcast at first light so no nice sunrise pictures, but the sun came out while we
were hiking and we had a nice early morning hike down to "The Window". Deb is faster so we just set a time to hike out a trail, turn around and come back. Works great and we arrive back at the same time.





We drove down to the southern end of the park (30 miles or so) and parked near a short trail that takes you to the Santa Elena Canyon which is a narrow slot canyon that the Rio Grande cut through over the years. Short hike along the river and you quickly appreciate how small the Rio Grande is. The river is heavily controlled now and by the time the irrigation guys get done with it, there is not much left. We had heard that you can get a "ferry" across with a Mexican guy who rows you over (and sings) for $5, but now that I see the river, it must be a short song..
Nice little hike into the slot canyon with towering walls.
Then back in the National Park Assault Vehicle and headed north to try to get to Van Horn by dusk. We stopped for gas just outside the park (not taking chances out here) and then headed across the flat dry desert above the park with no radio
stations and no cell service.





The podcasts work great for making a long drive short. We are stopping a little more often for breaks which is helping my back issues tremendously.
Short detour into Marfa which we have been hearing is a quirky artist community. It does seem to have some vibe going on there, but we couldn't quite figure out what it was all about. All the buildings are painted nicely, even the empty one so there must be someone with a painting mission. We also saw signs for an Arts Festival, which must be an annual thing, and a couple references ti the Marfa Lights (they have a pull off on the road where you can watch them??). The waitress tonight made it sound like the Marfa lights are very mysterious (aliens??, Elvis??, pranksters??). Might be a publicity stunt. Gotta Google that one.






Nice road into Van Horn which is one of those interstate exit towns with restaurants and hotels. Met a woman driving from California to Texas to see her grand-kids and also chatted up a farmer from Minnesota and his wife with a motorcycle in

the back "escaping" from the Arctic blast at home.
Another full day.