Multiconstruct

I drove into Big Bend on US 385 after a couple of errands. I pretty much drove through with only a stop to stretch my legs. Persimmon Gap visitor center is well worth skipping as you can’t do anything until you get to Juniper Junction, I think it’s called. Primitive camping was booked until Wednesday but I was able to get a site at the Rio Grande campground. I had to change sites every night but I got 3 days.

I then drove down so I wouldn’t have to cook dinner in the dark but took a delightful detour to the Hot Springs historic district. In addition to the Hot springs there are some buildings from back in the day and at least a couple of pictographs. The hot springs is right on the Rio Grande and it is the old foundation of the hot springs. The soak was great and it was well worth cooking in the dark.

At the hot springs I heard about petroglyphs being on the chimney trail and got some reluctant confirmation from the Rangers as they don’t advertise them. It was 2.4 miles to the chimney with a nice petroglyph rock face, a mortero stone or two and some other incidental carvings. They expect they are 6-8,000 years old.

I checked out the driving stuff at the end of the park and ended my day at the Hot springs. I also cooked a more elaborate dinner to mix it up. I got up early the next day and after coffee and internet I hiked the Window Trail. It was a 2.5 mile climb down to a slot canyon with a steep drop off and a panoramic view of the area. It was slippery and my knee was shaky from the big climb down. There was a father daughter at the window and I took their picture. There was a couple waiting so after all the work I just skipped working my way down the slick rock for the big view. I kind of regretted that later.

The climb up was good, easier than down and I got my cardio and 30,000 steps and almost 50 flights of stairs. I earned my hot tub soak.

Postscript: Just wrapping up my stay at Value Lodge in Alpine Texas. Planning on a little thrifting and sending out some holiday cards, maybe from a local park, maybe from the library (assuming there is one). Then I’m headed towards Marfa and plan on camping at a roadside park close to there. No pics because I’m posting from my laptop so I can cross post to Facebook.

2nd Postscript: This post didn’t upload so I added some pics. I’m currently in Fort Davis Texas waiting for my check for lunch. I’m going to go to the Chihuahuan Desert Research Center and then camp at a roadside park on the way to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Thanks for reading and appreciate the comments on my last post. Keep them coming.