11-13-10 Saturday To Big Bend

Saturday – 11/13/10
Photos:  http://silverserenity.shutterfly.com/2411

Last night about 6 RV’s came into the WalMart. One was from Canada.

Today is our trip to Big Bend, Texas. We have already been told to load up before we leave Fort Stockton. It is 100 miles to Big Bend with no services or supplies on the way. The few things that are available there are going to be very expensive.

Fort Stockton is a smaller town. Their WalMart is not a supercenter so we will have to find a grocery store. They are supposed to be getting a supercenter next May.

We decided to have a good breakfast (cooked by someone else.) IHOP was around the corner and it was great. Next was the grocery store. After filling up with gas @ $2.889, we headed down the road.

As advised, civilization fell by the wayside very fast leaving us with desert. The road (US 385) was long and straight. Ranchs with a seldom seen house was the neighborhood. Then off in the distance the vast horizon expanded to give birth to a backdrop of mountains. Off to the left side Santiago Peak rose to 6,551 feet. The Chicos Mountains loomed up in front of us and now the Sierra Del Caballo Modesto Range can be seen.

Upon arriving at the front entrance to the park we were told it was another 30 miles to the main Welcome Center. This is a huge park encompassing over 800,000 acres. The lady gave us a one week pass. On the way to the Welcome Center we realized that we should have been given the two week pass and planned to stop at the Welcome Center to ask about that. If there had been no questions we would have visited the Welcome Center just to stretch our legs, we visited the Welcome Center.

At the Center, we were told that we could get the 2nd week pass after the first week was up and could get that at any of the Welcome Centers in the park.

From the main Welcome Center @ Panther Junction we will have to drive 20 more miles to get to the RV Campgrounds. In the southeast corner of the park is the Rio Grande Village which has two RV Campgrounds. One has no hook ups but has flush toilets. The other is a full hook up Park. We had opted for the regular park since it was within our budget ($7 with Access Card.) Close by these campgrounds are the parks only RV dump and water station, pay showers and “store”. Like the trip down here, we have no cell service available to us. There is wifi at the store which we will use when we can.

These Campgrounds are located adjacent to the Rio Grande River which is the defining park boundary with Mexico for 118 miles. This Park has 3 distinctly different areas which include the River, the Desert and the Mountains. Each has its own beauty and we hope to experience at least a little of each one while here.

After finally finding an appropriate campsite, the rest of the day was spent in setting up and making this home for several days to come. Just before sundown the camp host came by to say hi and gave us some information. Tonight it is suppose to be in the 30’s and it is to be windy. Take down all camp chairs or anything that might blow away. Awnings on trailers are likely to be torn up.

She also told us about the javalinas. (I’m not sure this is the correct spelling.) These look like wild boars but are in the rhinoceros family. The bear boxes with each campsite (in this area) are not for bear but the javalinas and the ravens. They will work together to get food. If you have trash hanging, the ravens will peck at the bags until they are torn open and then the javalinas will eat. Before the flood here, the javalinas has learned to open coolers, unzip tents and break into places where you thought your food was safe.

Happy roads to all and get some sleep.