Big Bend NP II

Ventured to Santa Elena Canyon (far western side) and Rio Grande Village (eastern side) areas in the park on two different days.  Distance between the areas are about 65 miles via paved roads!

Santa Elena Canyon - Mountain range is in Mexico and rises 1500 ft.  This is Trump's wall that Mexico will pay to build!!!!

"The Rio Grande River" flows at the base of the mountain. 

Canyon entrance 

Looking east from the canyon entrance, Rio Grande.  The Rio Grande has been tamed over the years with numerous dams along its long flow. 

Kayaker on the river.  We also spotted alligators in the river but could not get a good picture.  Hope this guy doesn't flip!!!

Rio Grande has carved this canyon over the years, length of canyon is over 8 miles long

Emory Peak (left), South Rim (center) & Elephant Tusk right

Heading to Rio Grande Village early in the morning to beat the heat!  Watching the sun rise as we drive east!

Sun hitting Pummel Peak with the moon as a backdrop

Pictographs in the Hot Springs area 

Hot Springs @ 105 deg F.

This was once a grocery store, post office in the Hot Spring area

Tunnel heading into Hot Springs area

Looking at Mexico - peak is El Pico to its right is Sierra del Carmen, Mexico

Boquillas, Mexico in the valley to the left

Rio Grande Village, US in the valley to the right

Entering Boquillas Canyon where you walk along the Rio Grande with Mexico across the river.

Sand dune in the background, wash off of the sand stone.

Someone with a-lot of energy to climb the sand dune

Blue Bonnet, TX state flower.

Across the river a local rode his donkey to his camp!

Local Mexican camp!

Good look at the valley and the Rio Grande

Horseback riders from Mexico

Big Bend has witnessed many changes during the past 70 million years. Compressed stream-beds of shales and flagstones reveal the types of pre-historic life evidence that was present in the area.  Animals include 70 million year dinosaurs.  The park is building a new fossil display.