
Boquillas Crossing is the only legal entry point into Mexico within Big Bend State Park, and it is very close to the Rio Grande Village campsite. There is a small immigration building that had one Park Ranger to greet us shortly after 9:00 which is when they open (Wed-Sunday, 9-4). He looked at our passports…

Big Bend National Park will be our stomping ground for the next week. This park is really big and really remote. We have no cell service, and have to rely on Dishy, which we will set up intermittently for Tony to work for his part-time job with Principal. Dishy requires power, which we have to…

We hiked the Rio Grande Trail which started near our campsite, then continued onto the Canyon Rim Trail to make a loop back, for a total of over eight miles. We saw vistas over the Rio Grande, black-tailed jackrabbits and some roadrunners. The largest part of Seminole Canyon is full of water and a boat…

We spent last night at Brush Country RV Park in Carrizo Springs. It was a perfect little RV park for an overnight stop with their single bathroom in the office (closed from 9pm to 7am). The couple running the place were very nice and considerate. Today we traveled into the semi-arid part of Texas. Seminole…

As we traveled west along the Texas border, our phones must have been pinging cell towers in Mexico as we got notices from Verizon and from TMobile to welcome us to Mexico. We noticed more blimps like the one on South Padre Island, spies in the sky. The cemeteries all had bows or plastic flowers…

Tony finally got his seafood buffet feast at Louie’s Backyard. We ate dockside and had a couple of evening cruises go by. Our waiter checked on who was driving after Tony ordered a big drink with six different liquors in it—we walked, we’re prepared. I promised to take care of him. We walked the beach…

Tony’s first helicopter ride (and not to the hospital)! It was fantastic and put a big smile on his face. We spent Christmas money from Dad for this fun trip. We were given some safety instructions upon arrival in their office and waiting room. Basically we were not to touch the doors of the helicopter,…

The only Texas lighthouse open to the public is at the tip of Port Isabel. We stopped for a visit after the laundry was done. Relax and Just Wash is the best laundromat in the area, much cleaner and cheaper than the one on SPI, so we cross the bridge once-a-week for that business. The…

After a cold weekend, we had nice weather and took the bus back to the SPI Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary that we visited last year. They have lots of boardwalks and critter-viewing areas built out over the mangrove mudflats. We also took pictures from the five-story tall observation tower that gives pretty views…

A rainy weekend changes plans a bit. Friday had mild temps and the rain was intermittent and light. Grab the umbrellas and walk anyway was the plan. Good movie and reading day as well. It doesn’t hurt to stop at a local establishment to have some refreshments in out of the rain as well! Saturday…