Texas and New Mexico trip - Big Bend 2
May 17, 2017 21:32:34 #
The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a very long drive to the Rio Grande River in the western part of the Park, but it is a beautiful drive that takes you through several different geologic areas. I had no idea that there would be any signs of volcanic activity, but there was lots of evidence of that near the end of the road. I love discovering new things and this Park was delivering surprises on a daily basis. At the end of the road is Santa Elena Canyon which has a trail from the Rio Grande River up the side of the canyon and then down into a very lush area that is several degrees cooler. There is a rock sticking out into the water that is highly polished from people sitting and enjoying the coolness and the view of the river slowly meandering through the canyon. There are several river outfitters in the area, and you can see kayakers and canoeists on a regular basis making their way through the canyon. There was a group of canoeists making their way through the canyon that day, but they were having some problems because the water level in the river was quite low. The border between Mexico and the US is in the middle of the river, and they had to eventually cross to the Mexican side of the river in order to continue on their way.
Vultures and Ravens in the same tree - very unusual
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A volcanic plug
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The Rio Grande
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Santa Elena Canyon from an overlook
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I could have walked to Mexico here
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An artist and her watercolor sketch
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In the coolness of the canyon
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Fossils in the rocks in the canyon
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The canoeists
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I really liked this guy's sun shade
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May 17, 2017 21:44:57 #
May 17, 2017 21:51:31 #
May 17, 2017 22:30:43 #
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May 18, 2017 05:49:29 #
May 18, 2017 10:50:17 #
It's great that the Rio Grande had some water in it on your visit. We were there in a drought. I did think that Santa Elena Canyon was magnificent. The height of the walls is amazing. I came to realize just how tall they were when I saw individuals walking up walkways and saw how small they were in comparison.
May 18, 2017 11:57:58 #
May 18, 2017 12:00:13 #
Jay Pat wrote:
I hope you had your passport with you.
Beautiful area!!
Pat
Beautiful area!!
Pat
Well, there was no one on the other side to take the passport anyway, even if I had brought it. I should have crossed to the other side anyway to say I had traveled to Mexico.
I really enjoyed the canyon.May 18, 2017 12:00:59 #
JanIDAHO wrote:
Very nice, dramatic photographs.
Thank you for your nice comments.
May 18, 2017 12:01:23 #
Treepusher wrote:
Very cool series!
Thanks Treepusher. Always a pleasure to have to view my photos.
May 18, 2017 12:01:52 #
May 18, 2017 12:04:57 #
SteveR wrote:
It's great that the Rio Grande had some water in it on your visit. We were there in a drought. I did think that Santa Elena Canyon was magnificent. The height of the walls is amazing. I came to realize just how tall they were when I saw individuals walking up walkways and saw how small they were in comparison.
Well, there wasn't much water in the river and the canoeists were having a rough time finding enough water to float. You are right about the walls, and one of my hiking companions started to sing in there and the acoustics were outstanding - and luckily she had a wonderful voice. Nothing like an impromptu concert in nature. That's the kind of unexpected thing that I cherish on my journeys. Love your photo of the Mules Ears formation.
May 18, 2017 12:05:07 #
May 18, 2017 12:08:42 #
ralphfr wrote:
Very dramatic images. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for looking. I'm glad you liked them.
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