Big Bend...

[FinalBags]

I'm gonna ride through the Big Bend National Park. I need some tips. Gimme the lowdown. Never been there before.

[Infidel!]

Bring water with you and make sure your tank is full. There is one gas station in the park, but the hours are sporadic. Ride up to the basin and hike out to view the window. Ride down to the southwest corner and check out the spectacular canyon. Stop in the Ranger station and they'll tell you more than you want to know.

You may still be able to ride the dirt road down to the hot springs along the river, but be careful going off-road. Several have been known to break their frames on those roads. Yes, I said broke their frames.

Go out the west side of the park to Study Butte and Terlingua. In Terlingua check out La Kiva, it's a bar in a real cave.

The River road (170) is a must ride. Ride it in both directions, it's completely different depending on your direction. Pack some heat for your visit in Presidio.

I love that area. You'll enjoy it.

[griffin]

hungry javalina in study butte !!

[griffin]

cookoff site behiind the store in terlingua and casi cookoff site closer to lajitas

[Dinero]

Watch for stray bullets coming across the river.

[dynageno]

Keep an eye out for Bigfoot

[thrasher]

If y'all ride at night watch out for the Wild Hogs. I hear that's their turf....

[Hodawwg]

With a group or solo?

[FinalBags]

Originally Posted by Hodawwg

With a group or solo?

Just 2 of us. Btw, that avatar is offensive. *

[Infidel!]

Originally Posted by FinalBags

Just 2 of us. Btw, that avatar is offensive. *

I'm just glad it's your mom and not mine

[ms_tapestry]

I loved Terlingua. We stayed at the Chisos Mining Company Inn, or something like that. I wouldn't call it the finest place I've ever stayed but it was cheap. We'd have breakfast at Kathy's Kosmic Kowgirl Kafe. It's in a pink trailer right there by that hotel and she's been there serving food for over 30 years. The locals like to gather around the firepit on Saturday and Sunday mornings and I enjoyed chatting with them. We rode up to the McDonald Observatory above Fort Davis where you will find the highest paved road in the State of Texas and then took the scenic loop back around to Fort Davis. Most of the fire was north of that area and I understand the park is still in good shape. We talked the lady at the hotel into freezing water bottles for us each night. We'd pick them up in the morning and have cold water all day. La Kiva was a cool place to have a drink, I think I drank tea. I had a steak there that was just so-so.

Don't go during the Terlingua Chili Festival. They import State Troopers for the event and if you go one mile over the posted speed limit you will be ticketed. I kid you not. Go when there aren't massive crowds and you will enjoy it so much more!

A word of caution. . .I think the high temps during the day are already over 100 and climbing.

[Dinero]

A good bit of Big Bend is now on Fire. I just saw pictures up around the McDonald's Observatory and it was stunning.

Keep an eye on the fires here:

http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main....aspx?id=12888

[noodles]

I went in '80 in a 4x4 truck with a tent...
Won't never do that again!!!

[Infidel!]

Forgot about the observatory. If you like stargazing, they have star parties at night. They set up telescopes on the patio and point each at a different star, galaxy or planet.

Jeez, I hope those fires get under control soon.

[Hodawwg]

Originally Posted by FinalBags

Just 2 of us. Btw, that avatar is offensive. *

Good. I heard your group riding is so so.