Big Bend and Area Ride

[dwarthog]

While the shindig was taking place at the Captain's, I went on a ride down to the Big Bend area that I had been planning for a while now. Camped out for 4 days. Two at a place called Chinati Hot Springs which is a natural hot springs close to Ruidosa. The next two days were spent in Big Bend camped out in the Chisos Basin.

First set of pics are from there.

Camera doesn't have a big zoom on it, but there is a mule deer in the pic. Kicked him up while I was investigating the area.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/mule_deer.jpg

A source of life in a very arid place...

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/chanti_Springs.jpg

The mountains in the picture are in Mexico on the other side of the Rio Grande river.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/chanti_mexico.jpg

Recent rains have the desert in bloom.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/cactus_flowers.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/yucca_flower.jpg


Walking down the river bed, I caught a couple of curious looking characters looking at me. Could be gAZINta spies....

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/gazintas.jpg


The Rio Grande south of Presidio.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/rio_grande.jpg

An old movie set town for the movie Contrabando along the river.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/contrabando.jpg


Entrance into the park. The chamber of commerce shot.....

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/chamber_shot.jpg

The Chisos Basin inside the park.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/chiso_basin.jpg

Hiked down to a geological feature called the Window. About a 3 mile hike from my campsite in the Chisos Basin.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/window.jpg

The Santa Elena Canyon.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/santa_elena_canyon.jpg

Looking back out of the Santa Elena Canyon into the park.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/big_bend.jpg

More cactus flowers.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/blind_cactus.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/prickly_pear_flower.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/yucca_flower1.jpg

There was an antique motorcycle rally taking place. People from all over the country and just about any old motorcycle you can think of. Indian, Harley, Henderson, Triumph, BWM, more that I can't remember. Snapped this shot of an old Indian.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/old_indian.jpg

Decided I needed a cold beer one evening and rode out of the park into Terlingua. Spotted a gAZINta babe dressed up for her date.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/dwarthog/gazinta_babe.jpg

[captainlee]

great pics

I went to college at Alpine (Sul Ross State) those pics brought back some memories, thanks

[GrayRider]

Great pics, Don. Which bike did you ride?

[dwarthog]

Great pics, Don. Which bike did you ride?

Rode the beemer down. The bigger tank gives me more options.

[harleyjsb]

Great pictures..............

[trmn8r]

beautiful pics of the Big Bend area... visited Terlingua several years ago for 4 or 5 days, on the way back my truck blew the rearend in Alpine... not such good memories of Alpine for me, rode the bus home, went back 2 weeks later to get my truck, $2000 later for a USED rearend and I was home with my truck... but Terlingua was nice. Different but nice... definitely some strange folks inhabit those parts!

[dwarthog]

great pics

I went to college at Alpine (Sul Ross State) those pics brought back some memories, thanks

Glad you liked the pics. Rode past the college on my way into Alpine from Fort Stockton. Bet that was an interesting place to spend some time. Lots of open space out that way.

[Scabbydoo]

Great pics Don, thanks for the tour.

[thedog]

GREAT pictures.

[chickenman]

I used to go down to terlingua every year and go quail hunting. Everything down there either bites, sticks or stings.

[Road Glider]

Thanks for sharing the pics, looks like you had a great trip.

[Rock]

Great pics. Can't wait till I can do more of that exploring while on the bike. I mean, that's what we ride them for.

[8-Ball]

I don't know how I missed this thread... musta been sharkin'....

Great photography, Don... can't wait to get out again myself.

Thanks for taking the time to put these up and glad you had a great time!!!

[LittleBear]

Great pictures. I have been wanting to get to Big Bend, now more than ever.
Thanks for sharing.