Big Bend Day 1

We left Seminole Canyon State Park about 9:00 and had an easy drive with little traffic.  We saw more Border Patrol than anything else.

 We stopped just before getting to Big Bend to eat lunch,

arriving at Big Bend about 2:00.

We still had a 60 mile drive to the campground.  since the speed limit was 45 mph, that would take a little while.

This is the tunnel just before we got to the campground.  As long as Jim stayed in the middle, it was easy going.

We arrived at Rio Grande Village RV Park which is basically just a parking lot, but there are trees on both sides of it, so we have a nice shady backyard.

This is our view from the side.  We are lucky in that we are in the last site so we have no one on that side and can look out to see the mountains and trees.

We went for a walk nearby and who knew there was irrigation here.

Farmers were here in the 1920s and 30s setting up irrigation systems using the Rio Grande River. The systems they built are still here and working providing water to the trees, making a little oasis in the desert.

This is another view we saw of the mountains.

We continued on the path and spotted a walking stick on the side,

then, as we looked closer, we saw paintings on stone along with prices.  These are placed on paths by Mexican Nationals in hopes that Americans will purchase and leave money in containers they place by them.  There are signs on every trail telling you it is against the law to purchase and if caught you could have items confiscated.

On our way back, we saw this bird. I haven't identified it yet, possibly a female Vermilion Flycatcher?

Also, we noticed this sign and

were able to see this Black Hawk.

 It's great to be settled in one place for a few days.  We have no internet or cell phone signal here, but there is free wifi at the park store. Hopefully, I can keep things updated.