Thanks, Michael. The NPS has done some work to protect the roof, but otherwise the structure looks to be in good condition and it's still open so one can go in and walk around (although even a short guy like me has to duck) and imagine what it must have been like to live and sleep here.

I think you'll like Big Bend, if only because you've made the effort to learn about the park and have planned your travel. I'm almost exactly your age and still visit every two years or so (most recently November, 2021) now that I live just a day's drive away. My first time there was in 1973, so I guess you could say I really love Big Bend.

Big Bend is a huge park, and since you haven't mentioned a couple of important pieces of information about your trip (where you're camping and how many days you have in the park) it's hard to give you lots of specific information. If you're camping outside the park, you will want to get started early every day because, contrary to what others have said, Big Bend WILL BE BUSY next week, meaning that there will be a line to enter the park and driving both the road to the Basin (the mountainous area in the center of the park) and to Santa Elena Canyon (what I think is the park's best feature and offers terrific photographic opportunities) will be subject to road closures due to the lack of available parking. Both of those restrictions were in effect during my November visit, which was well before Thanksgiving and not nearly as busy as the park will be when you're there.

If you have one day, I'd suggest driving the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, which (once you get to it) is a paved route of thirty miles that ends at Santa Elena Canyon; you'll return the same way. Take the easy, short walk at the Sam Nail Ranch near the start of the drive. There's a longer walk to the abandoned Homer Wilson Ranch (still only about a mile round-trip) that I think is worthwhile, but if you're not up to that (steep uphill return and no shade, carry water) you can get a nice shot of the ranch & Carousel Mountain from the parking lot. Stop at Tuff Canyon and visit all three viewpoints on the rim; it's fun to walk down to the canyon's floor so you see it from the bottom but again you'll have to consider the hike out. One of your best views of Cerro Castellan, the peak that dominates the area, is here. Be sure to stop at the Mule Ears viewpoint; I think the best shot is right from the parking area (where there's also a huge patch of prickly pear dominating the park's signature plant, lechuguilla), but be aware of other interesting views from the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The light here will be better in the afternoon, so you'll certainly want to stop on your return drive, but the Mule Ears are fun to see and photograph at any time. Sotol Vista is another stop that will be better in the afternoon for photos but since there's a 360° view from here, you can get good photos whenever you're there. Stop at Castolon, the historic district near the Rio Grande, which has old ranching equipment and buildings that are fun to shoot, and a good view of Cerro Castellan from a different angle. The road from here to Santa Elena offers a few views of the Rio Grande; look for safe pullouts. There's a viewpoint for the canyon near road's end that is "ok" if you can't get into the canyon itself but do see what the parking situation at the trailhead is because that's where the river exits the canyon and the scene is spectacular. As others have mentioned, carry an old pair of sneakers that you don't mind getting muddy, because that's what usually happens when you cross Terlingua Creek to hike into the canyon... although last November, much to my surprise, the crossing was dry. Depends on recent precipitation. If you can park and hike into the canyon, you biggest climb will be on an easy paved trail with a railing, and then the trail drops to the river. Take it until you can't go any further without walking in the river... which some people do. I think the hike in Santa Elena is one of the best national park experiences anywhere, and it's no more than two miles round-trip. Return to the main road the same way you came, via the Ross Maxwell... do not take the dirt road (called Old Maverick) unless you want to shake your rig to pieces. If you still have time left in the day, you can try to drive the seven miles up to the Basin; the light will be good along the road during the afternoon and the views are spectacular. There's a visitor center in the Basin and a short, paved trail to the Window viewpoint... I doubt you'll have time to hike to the Window itself by then but the viewpoint trail will be fine. If there happens to be a parking place at the Lost Mine Trail, you could take a one-mile hike up to a spectacular viewpoint of a canyon you won't see otherwise, and you'll get a great look at Casa Grande, another park icon, as well.

Another day could be spent with more exploration of the Basin. As others have mentioned, the Window Trail is a great hike. Try to park in the signed area at the campground to shorten it a little and you'll also miss some of a steep uphill on the return that you'll have to hike if you park by the visitor center. (If you happen to be camping in the Basin, there's a shot spur that leads to the Window Trail that saves you more than a mile!). Again, if you get lucky and see a parking place at the Lost Mine Trail, take it if you're up to the two-mile out and back hike (the entire trail is 4.8 miles but the view at one mile is almost as good as at trail's end and you'll save about a 700' climb) and you'll get some great photos. If you have more time, stop at the main visitor center at Panther Junction and then drive east in the direction of Rio Grande Village, although you might not make it all the way before dark. A stop at Dugout Wells on the way will bring you to a good bird-watching site and generally interesting area to spend thirty minutes or so. If you can continue toward the village, there's a terrific pullout for watching/photographing the sunset (and it's usually spectacular in Big Bend) around the thirteen mile marker, on the left. Great view of the Sierra del Carmen mountains in Mexico, which will turn pink in the setting sun.

If on this or another day you make it to road's end at Rio Grande Village, I'd suggest taking the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail which starts from campsite #18 in the campground. A short climb brings you to a great overlook of the Rio Grande as well as the Chisos Mountains, and the Sierra del Carmens are directly in front of you. A short spur will take you to the river itself, and the trail starts with an interesting boardwalk (of all things) that crosses a small pond... totally unexpected in the Chihuahuan Desert! On the other side of the Village, you can hike about .3 mile to a great overlook of the Rio Grande as it flows through Hot Springs Canyon. Others have mentioned hiking into Boquillas Canyon. That's an easy hike (less than 2 miles round-trip) that, to me, is a letdown after seeing Santa Elena. But you'll still get some good photos and I hike there every time I visit even though it's not quite as spectacular to me. If you bring your passport, you can take a rowboat across the Rio Grande and visit Boquillas, Mexico. The border crossing is open Daily except Monday & Tuesday and there's a good restaurant there.

I haven't posted many photos from my November trip yet, but here's a link to the ones I have, which will give you some idea of the Ross Maxwell Drive and Santa Elena Canyon: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sonoradick/albums/72157720173121258

And here's an older link to an album with some other shots:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sonoradick/albums/72157644630852332

Hope this gives you some ideas. Have a great trip, Wags!

It does indeed seem pricey.

Thanks for your comment, and telling how you made your iPad work in a similar fashion.

I've been reading comments about the Loupedeck+. It seems that the most common and strongest praise is from heavy users who edit hundreds and possibly thousands of photos at a time. They're happy because the unit saves them considerable amounts of time.

I'm just an amateur, a hobbyist. I use Lightroom regularly but seldom edit more than eight or ten photos in a single day. They're usually from three or four separate and distinct albums, perhaps taken months or years apart, so there isn't a common edit that could be applied to every photo.

Does anybody whose use of Lightroom is similar to mine use the Loupedeck? I'm intrigued by gadgets, so much of my intrigue may be due to the fact that this is something new and different. Saving some time would be nice but I'd be more interested if somebody said that it really is easier and more precise using the dials than Lightroom's sliders. Since there's 10% discount currently offered to Adobe CC subscribers, the price is a little more palatable now (but still pretty high!).

Boone,

I'm curious... Did you eventually buy this lens? If so, what's your opinion?

I have a new D750 & am looking for something with much more reach than the 24-120.

(Anybody else is also welcome to chime in... Maybe there's something newer or more desirable after 2 & 1/2 years.)

I took mine to the local camera dealer who also does repairs. She told me she'd give it a try but I might end up with a broken filter. She took it back to the repair area so I couldn't watch but returned just a few moments later with the filter removed.

I ended up leaving the camera for a complete cleaning so her good customer service (no charge for the filter removal) netted the store a good job and won me over as a customer. Won't hesitate to go back when my camera needs additional work & would certainly consider for a new camera purchase. (To offset the tax they're obviously required to collect, they throw in some sensor cleanings.)

I guess I'll be the first to mention HP.

Years ago I swore I'd never own another product with their name after a premature (in my mind) failure and no customer service, but most printers seem to be junk these days so a decent deal on one of their Envy printers combined with their "Instant Ink" program made me try them again.

When the trial ink runs out I'll be on a plan where I can print 50 pages/month for $3. I don't print much so I think that will be sufficient, and this will encourage me to print a few of my photos. A page is the same whether it's one line of black text or an 8 & 1/2 X 11 color print, so I don't have to worry about ink consumption, as free delivery of the ink is included in the monthly cost. There are also plans for more-frequent users.

So my ink cost won't exceed $36 for a year unless I go over the 50 pages, and I've been pleased with the way my prints look (so far). Hopefully the printer itself will last long enough to make this a decent deal.

Lots of terrific photos here; nice job. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, so much interest.

To better illustrate the viewing opportunity, here's a photo taken from Saguaro National Park's webcam in July, 2015. I count fifteen, maybe sixteen javelinas just in this photo, and there's likely another one or two not in view at the bottom. See how close visitors get, standing right above them. In the middle on the right, you can see the then-current mama with her two babies. It was a great day for javelina-watching!

(Download)

Thanks for the comment. At least there's one good thing about summer in Tucson!

That's one of the challenges of photography through a window. Uncle Sam doesn't wash them nearly enough! The javelinas aren't much help, as they are always kicking up dirt; I'm sure it helps them to stay cool.

Thanks for the comment.

If they feel threatened, absolutely. But given the chance, they'll retreat.

They hate dogs, probably because coyotes threaten their young. Occasionally, I'll see some at night when walking my dogs. Luckily, javelinas have poor eyesight & the dogs will always smell them before we get too close. You're right; I sure don't want my dogs messing with one.

I'm almost sure to see them every time I visit Big Bend National Park.

Thanks for the comment.

Yes, but they're much smaller than pigs and very familial; you'll almost always see several of them if you spot one. Also known as a collared peccary. They aren't closely related to pigs. In fact, our bookstore sells a popular children's book called "Don't Call Me Pig!".