Day 12-The Big Day

We slept well.  Generators in the campground were limited to certain areas and had to be off by 8 pm.  Since there wasn’t electric there were quite a few generators running during their allowed time.  It is amazing to see how people camp.  We sleep in the back of our truck as we fit fine and then use the pop-up canopy with tent attachment for our extra space to stand up in, sit and eat, change clothes, etc.  Some people sleep in their vehicles, some have elaborate pop up campers and many different sizes and styles of drive-in campers and pull behinds.  There weren’t many of the super huge ones as it is harder to get around those at this park as the roads are so curvy in spots so they aren’t allowed.  The busy season is just starting (except for this cold snap!) and runs through April.  Apparently March is super crazy as Spring Breaks for families gets everyone traveling. 

First stop today was the Hot Springs! And they are right ON the Rio Grande River.  There is a trail near the campground somewhere but we never could find it so we put on our swim attire under our regular daily attire and drove, down the highway a short distance and then down a dirt road a short distance.  This was something back in the day.  There were remnants of shelter houses and picnic areas and places you could stay the night.  The actual springs were about a quarter of a mile walk along the river.  They were not quite what I expected when I saw pictures but the water was almost hot and the view was amazing and it was nice.  You are “supposed” to sit in the hot springs and then jump into the Rio Grande but we opted to just dangle our feet and hands into the river instead.  It seemed to be moving too fast and with the rain we didn’t want to end up downstream anywhere!  A gentleman from Kansas City joined us for a bit; he was traveling to places we’d just been. There were others exiting their vehicles when we got back to our truck but they were hiking first and then sitting in the hot springs after.  While we were walking to the hot springs we heard neighing and discovered two horses watching us as we traveled down the path. They followed us a short way and then turned and galloped off in the opposite direction.

We then proceeded to the Boquillas Border Crossing.  We were going to Mexico.  I am very anxious when it comes to traveling to places that have reputations (sorry!) but we were going through proper channels so I swallowed down the anxiety and we did it.  The border patrol told us what to expect and we walked to the river, handed a gentleman some money and he rowed us across the river.  A small boy was selling woven bracelets.  Our boat captain asked how we wanted to get to their town as we had several choices: burro, horse, vehicle, or we could walk.  Since we have ridden horses before we chose burro.  We also got a guide in the process as he was there to help keep the burros in line.  They were adorable as far as burros go and we bobbled up and down as they took us to town.  They had gas and it was quite funny to hear them fart the whole way!  Our guide was a very nice older gentleman named Flor but we found out he didn’t understand/speak much English once we got started on our way.  We gestured a lot!  We knew we wanted to eat and look around and the crossing border person told us to be back by 4 but it was such a small town we would be.  It was a small town!! Oh my.  Flor took us to a restaurant and we had chicken tamales, goat tacos and coffee.  Delish!!  I didn’t ask why he took us to that specific restaurant as there was another one across the street.  We were intently stared at by some young girls selling bracelets.  And yes, I did buy some.  We had forgotten to get change so I think we probably over-tipped people but that is okay as were were helping a local economy.  When we get reliable internet again I am going to research this area as it looked to be very remote and somewhat impoverished?  The goods looked great and they claimed they were made there. We were approached my many and only bought a few things before heading back (a hand-embroidered apron and woven backpack/purse, and a burro!).  Flor pointed out his house in a nearby neighborhood so we think/assume that what we saw were the markets and people lived over in that other area where he pointed.  As we were heading out on a different pair of burros, these much faster in their tempo, we noticed more tourists heading into the area.  Our restaurant host said that once it is late April/May it gets to 120 degrees and they MAY get 3-4 people a day!  Soon they will be open at 8 (the border right now is only open Wednesday-Sunday, 9-4) and the crowds will come in.  It is an easy and an “official” way to get to Mexico.  Our boat captain took us back across the river and we can mark Mexico off of our countries we have visited.  We have to think of a name for our burro we bought! 

Right down the road was a trail for the Boquillas Canyon and it was very nice.  We could hike up and down near the river and head into the canyon, and wonder at the majesty of it all before turning around and hiking back to the truck. The sun was actually out today and it had warmed up so this hike was a “warm” one!  A change of clothes was required for the rest of the day when we got back to the truck. 

Apparently quite a few fossils of some dinosaurs and such have been found here at Big Bend. We stopped at the Dinosaur Discovery Center to look around.  They haven’t found complete ones here as the flooding quite often moves things around.  It was a very cool building and display area.  I need to research it more to see what has been found here!  

We headed out as our National Park tour is now complete for this round, stopping only to get park passport stamps at a couple of stations before leaving the park.  The land outside of the park looks the same :), and is QUITE remote.  We haven’t had reliable if at all cell service for days and that continued throughout our drive.  The landscape was mountainous, then flat plains, all with similar vegetation, yuccas, creosote (which is what we discovered smells lovely when damp!), cacti, very random trees, and occasional cows. Oh, we saw a random herd of long horn cows while in Big Bend today!  We remembered what our campground host had said about seeing random horses, burros, and cows and assumed that was the story with these random cows!

The fields we passed now were browner so maybe they don’t get as much rain or that winter icy stuff we had endured for a couple of days.  The trip to the campground was lonely, very small towns and not a lot of other things going on.  It is a really remote area but we finally made it to Lake Amistad, Governor’s Landing, a campground that is first come, first served.  We were hoping there would be room for us and we needn’t have worried as there was only 1 other person here in their camper.  We attempted to put up our canopy and tent but the wind would not allow it.  It was really strong!  We snacked for supper and are just going to sleep in the back of the truck without the tent this evening.  The low is set to be around 34 so it will be warm enough as it always is.  

Tomorrow, Houston via San Antonio. And the wedding weekend begins.