Big Bend Fossils and Finds

Fossil Discover Exhibit

Stopped at the wayside exhibits. This one was still open since it was open air.

















They've found many fossils here since  it was once a shallow sea bed.

Original Settlers Homesteads

Other evidence of original residence of Big Bend.















Can't imagine farming and ranching in this desert.

Flora and Fauna

Not a lot of blooms, but a few.

My first sighting of a road runner.

Road runner

Other Special Finds

Can't beat RV neighbors

Big Bend Boquillas Canyon Trail

Entering the Canyon

 A hike into a beautiful canyon on the Rio Grande River.

Canyon trail

You can barely see the canoeist in the distance, really giving you the size of the cliff walls.

Canoeist on the Rio Grande River

Just across the river Mexican Nationalists

Trail side gift shop

Just across the river is the Mexican town Bosquillas. Usually open as a port of entry to visit this small village. They transport you across by boat for $5 and then you can get a donkey ride for the last mile into town.












Because of the border closing they often sneak over and set up shop on the honor system. Selling trinkets and walking sticks. If you get caught by border patrol with these goods you have to give them up.

Too bad for this small town that relies on tourists. I also can't imagine a wall along the Rio Grande.

Big Bend Hot Springs Trail

Trail view to Hot Springs

 Our longest hike 6 miles round trip from Rio Grande Village to Hot Springs Spa was almost too much for us.

Up and over

It was up and over several mountains but richly rewarded with a nice muscle relaxing spa.

and over

Hot Springs Spa time

We only had a few options for trails that didn't require primitive road access. We couldn't even do the roads to trails on our bikes.

So we made lots of stops at vistas and exhibits along the way.

Big Bend

Chihuahua Desert

We arrived at the Rio Grande Village RV Park for a week at Big Bend National Park. Despite the partial government shutdown our reservations still held since they are with a concessionaire in the park.  Fortunately this park remains open for day use so we are allowed to camp.

Unfortunately for others there is no camping and we are also missing out on the Nature Centers and Ranger Programs.

Lots of news about abuse in the parks and unsanitary conditions while the staff has been put on furlough, fortunately Big Bend has a lot of fans and volunteers that have managed to keep many bathrooms open and there was no garbage piling up as we had feared.

Road to Rio Grande Village

It was a bit of a challenge figuring out what trails suited us since information was scarce. One book store station reopened with the Big Bend Historical group who could give us a map. Good apps like Alltrails and Pinterest were helpful as well as talking with RV neighbors. Besides those in the lodge there were only us 25 RV's staying in the park. Kinda nice to have a quiet park.

Chiso Basin-The Window View

At about 60 miles wide and long it takes some time to travel through the park. Going from desert to many different mountain ranges and mesas. Lots of big long views.



Chiso Mountain, the volcanic heart of the area had cabins and lodge. The tallest point about 5000 feet gave some terrific views, unfortunately our days visit was a bit cloudy.

Chiso Village Resort Restuarant

Texas

Lake Arrowhead State Park

We made the Wisconsin escape a little early giving us a few extra days in Texas. We decided to stay at some of their State Parks, so we invested in the annual pass at $70, which gave us entry for a year at any state park and some discounts on second day stays. Most camping fees are between $15 and $20 a night with water and electric. For a week at four different state parks it was worth it.

Our first stay, Lake Arrowhead, right out of Wichita Falls, Texas was a blessing. The Park Superintendent was more than accommodating. Keith set us up at a site by the Prairie Dogs. With over 400 in the park they were fun to watch. Plus he called ahead for availability since we weren't able to make online reservations. They were approaching a blackout since they are converting their reservation system to Reserve America.




He also came through with setting us up with his dentist, since I had a crown pop off. It was the perfect start to our trip.

Oil everywhere

The only thing I didn't care for in the park was the oil rig. I could hear it at night and it sounded like a heart beat but just a little faster, to make you anxious.

Great Horned Owl?

My new camera came in handy for a long shot of an owl.













Next stop Copper Breaks State Park. Canyon like terrain with beautiful red soils and small lakes.

Trail by group site

They have a half dozen long horned cattle from the original stock in Texas. They even let you feed them. Ranger Edwin led us to the coral and called them using his car horn. They eagerly arrived ready for some treats.

Cedar Breaks campground

Here's the campground shelters. Very common, shelters for shade in the hot summer months. Each site has one, in this case they were a modern tepee.





 This park had nice dark skies for star gazing.

CCC pool house in park

A little further south we camped at Abilene State Park.

We hiked and biked and made it into Ablene for some provisions and a little lunch.

Lake Abiliene 

We also found out you don't need a fishing license with your park admission fee.

Chicken Fried Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato.

Wind Farms in an Oil State

Lunch in Abilene














On our way to our next stop, Monahan's Sandhills State Park, it was a little windy.

We saw hundreds of windmills.











The sand dunes stretch from Texas to New Mexico,

Dunes

It made for a different kind of hiking and sliding.

A group getting ready to slide

They rent out discs for sliding down the dunes.

Great sunsets

First drawing of the trip. Ta Da

So we've completed our first 1500 miles arriving in Big Bend National Park, after 4 Texas State Parks, 450 photos and 3 hours on this blog with slow internet.


I think I'll wait til the next stop for blogging. This place is beautiful. Hope you are surviving winter. Our low temperature  here is someone elses high.

First Hike Perrot State Park

Bay Loop

Many of Wisconsin State Parks began the New Year with a scheduled first day hike.

They also start the new year with a new governor. Whoot whoot. New Year New Hopes.






 








We decided to attend the first hike at Perrot State Park which coincidentally is our last hike here til spring. It was a sunny day to stretch our legs and take in unobstructed views.

We were about 3 hours late for the event, my bad. So we missed out on the hot chocolate but didn't miss a nice walk on the Bay Loop which hasn't been turned to ski only trail as yet.







After, we attended the last day of business for the Trempealeau Hotel til they reopen Feb. 14. Seems they take a break too and fly south.












We'll finish packing up and head out ourselves to the Southwest to visit Family, Friends and hopefully Big Bend National Park.

Cross your fingers that the government shutdown resolves itself and National Parks are once again open and protected.

First Month

First use of Pochade Box

It's been a little over a month since retirement. The house is cleaned, I'm on my 10th book and counting down the days til we head south.

Sticker Shock 1.25 fl oz

So in the mean time, I've taken the leap and started my newest artistic endeavor "Plein Air" painting. Investing in a beautiful Pochade Box and tripod, I've begun filling it with oil paints and canvases. Sticker shock set in right away, so I'm making numerous trips to various art supply stores buying one item at a time with a 50 % off coupon. I think they're beginning to recognize me at Michaels, maybe this is in anticipation of my future fame.


Here's a few definitions:

Plein Air is the act of artists painting outside in order to capture the true colors and light of nature. 

Pochade Box is an artists tool for carrying the supplies and becomes the easel to achieve Plein Air painting.

Paul Berquist demonstration at Myrick Park

I didn't start this new technique without doing some ground work. I was first taken in by a demonstration from Paul Berquist in conjunction with Plein Air Between the Bluffs in La Crosse. I was amazed at his technique and talent. I became immediately hooked on learning more.

By the way he took first place in the competition. See more at www.betweenthebluffs.com or his blogspot.

Required reading

So I started my research, I knew I'd need my own mentor eventually so I will take a workshop in the future, hopefully this summer. But in the meantime I got the recommended books to start the process.


Kevin Macpherson, author of Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color, has been a leader in the resurgence of this technique. I found his book inspiring and easy to follow. He breaks it down for the beginner and suggests 100 small paintings or quick starts to really get warmed up. So I've accepted the challenge and begun,here are my first five.









They are truly nothing like what I hope to achieve, but felt recording the first five would enable me to look back and see where I've been. Don't worry I won't post all 100, maybe a few that I decide to keep. After painting I just wipe the canvas clean. I typically do them in 1-2 hours which is needed to coincide with changing outdoor conditions.

  

It's too cold to paint plein air so I've been using photos for my studies. I'm sure by the time we get to our travel destinations I'll be able to do these outside.

I'm now totally prepared for this new adventure. My husband just gave me another tool on my wish list, a new camera, Canon Powershot SX720HS. Thank you for another great birthday.