Big Bend National Park

This is a very special place. I would like to live there if I could.

Only a certain ‘type’ of person is normally drawn to the Big Bend area. The permanent residents are serious at believing in individuality. They are decent folks but they came here, pretty much all of them because they didn’t seem to ‘fit’ where ever it is they were. These are people trying to get away from something and the Big Bend area is certainly the place to do it. We first almost ‘wandered’over to the Big Bend, Lajitas, Terlingua, Study Butte area by accident 22 years ago. We try to go back at least once or twice a year – and now we’re finally building a small little stucco cabin on some land we purchased some years ago. Big Bend and the surrounding area is truly a magical place. it’s as far away from civilization that you can get and stay in the contiguous United States. Breath takingly quiet, strange winds, unexplained sounds at night and most anywhere you walk…need to be careful it’s not a sacred indial burial ground. I could go on forever and may I will later; but for now – I’ve been to a lot of places in many parts of the world. For pure peace and spiritual revival there is no place like the Big Bend area. [it’s also the only place in the States, excecpt for Yellow Stone, that is home to Bears, mountain lions, wolves and coyote.

When I was little, I heard tales of my Grandma and Grandpa visiting this place. I think it was for their honeymoon. Not sure that most people would consider it a honeymoon spot; however, I do want to see the teacups that are embedded into the mountainous landscape that my Grandma told me about, among other sights and sounds…

Anyone have any tips about going to this place? Any suggestions for places to stay??? What accommodations are available for those who can’t walk great distances on a whole???

George (photo by Leo Wesson—George walking in the rain Big Bend)

One of my dearest friends ever loved Big Bend more than any place on Earth. He would go down every chance he got. Near the end of his life he wouldn’t go anyplace else, and I guess he didn’t want to waste a trip on anything less than Big Bend. He was 77 and he would go down every summer and camp out in the back of his truck (not a camper) for 3 or 4 weeks. He would go in August because there was no one else down there.

Somehow I never made it down there with him and now I’m sorry for that. He died a year ago from bladder cancer.

On one of my visits here I got to see a truly amazing thing. Rain! When it rains here it completely changes everything. There’s waterfalls, rivers and rainbows everywhere you look! If you get have the opportunity to see this wonderful occurrence you will never forget it.

Big Bend has hot springs!

http://www.nps.gov/bibe/naturescience/hotsprings.htm

Everyone thinks a desert is unhabitable and hot, blah blah blah…well this place is certainly one of the most beautiful, welcoming, all around awsome place! Id recommend anyone especially seasoned hikers to visit this place. Heck even if you dont hike come on out and enjoy the beauty!!!

i worked at the resort here for a year. the place was rough at first, oppressively quiet, especially for this city kid, but it grew on me and the magic seeped in… i’ll never forget full moon rituals of hiking along the rio grande late, without lights searching for the hidden hot springs

My first visit was a week-long excursion around the park. Camp out in the basin and make your way to the different trailheads each morning. The south rim at sunrise is amazing!

Raft down the river into the Santa Elena Canyon. Awesome.