We spent two days in the National Park and clearly could have spent two weeks or two months. The park is massive with many trails and drives. We asked the park ranger at the visitor center for suggestions. He had three suggestions: Rio Grande Village, Chisos Basin, and the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.
Day one we drove to Rio Grande Village and Chisos Basin. The landscapes are breathtaking.
Just past the Rio Grande Village Visitor station is the Boquillas Canyon Overlook. This “overlooks” the Rio Grande and the town of Boquillas, Mexico. On the overlook, were colorful arts and crafts for sale. A sign says the sale of the items assists the people of Boquillas. Just across the Rio Grande lay two canoes. According to the story, the border patrol and the park staff ignore this fundraising effort.
From there, we drove back to the Panther Junction Visitor Center and went to Chisos Basin. The basin presents an entirely different landscape from the desert. As we rise in elevation, going into the Chisos Mountains, trees appear along with “watch out for bear” signs. At the height of the basin, there is a lodge and cabins.
While we were in the park, Leo mounted his ham radio antenna on the pickup and made 30 contacts in Parks on the Air. I drive.
Day two we drove the Ross Simon Scenic drive, ending at the Rio Grande and the Santa Elena Canyon. Just before the canyon is the Catalon Visitor Center and La Harmonia Store. The store and visitor center were burned in a flash fire in 2019. Hopefully, funds can be found to rebuild. The area around the store, at one time, was used for farmland growing wheat, cotton, and fruit trees with irrigation with water pumped from the Rio Grande. Some of the equipment remains.
Beautiful views, colorful rock formations, and a very impressive canyon.
I had to have pictures of the variety of rental houses in the Study Buttes and Terlingua.
Finally, just outside of the Lajitas RV Park, there is a cemetery like I have never seen before.
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