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Home » Home » The Beautiful Texas Frontier – Big Bend National Park
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The Beautiful Texas Frontier – Big Bend National Park

BonBon September 11, 2016 19 Comments

There’s an old saying, “everything is bigger in Texas” and the Big Bend National Park definitely meets the criteria. I have been wanting to visit this park ever since I moved to Texas. However, I was adverse to the idea of the road trip to the park since it is far and I thought there would be nothing much to do on the way. When my cousin told me that they were moving to the US and would be based in Odessa; I immediately looked at a map and learned that Odessa was not too far from the Park. So now I had the motive to get on the road and go.

So, Labor Day weekend came round and we got the chance to visit my cousin (which I hadn’t met in a decade) and visit the park.

Our drive to the park from Odessa was surprisingly interesting. We couldn’t resist stopping the car a number of times for a photo op.

My kids said that Texas has it's table mountains... True, even mountains in Texas are flat:)
My kids said that Texas has it’s table mountains… True, even mountains in Texas are flat:)

A long straight road... YES, Texas is flat:)
A long straight road… YES, Texas is flat:)

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Old ways of getting mails... this mailbox is the cutest among others:)
Roadside Mailbox… 
Wait a second... Texas is not that flat:) Elephant mountain towering over the highway...
Wait a second… Texas is not that flat:) Elephant mountain towering over the highway…
My girl making new friends:)
My girl making new friends:)

When we arrived at the house that we rented for 2 days; we rested for a little bit before heading out to check the Park.

Breathtaking view... WOW!!!
Inside Big Bend National Park… Breathtaking view… WOW!!!
Big Bend has more than 1,000 plants species... it's incredible!!!
Big Bend has more than 1,000 plants species… it’s incredible!!!
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Huge cactus…everything is BIG in TEXAS!!!

Tip: Big Bend, is one of the largest, most remote, and least-visited US national park. It covers 801,163 acres and the attractions inside the park are far from each other so to reduce time spent on the road it is beneficial to stay inside the park or as close to the park as possible.

We managed to find a lovely little house in Terlingua which was just perfect for our base.

Found this place thru AirBnB... we were the 1st one who stayed in this cute house:)
Found this place thru AirBnB… we were the Guinea pigs who got to try out this cute house:)

Fact: By 1922 40 percent of the quicksilver (mercury) mined in the United States came from Terlingua, but production began to decline steadily during the 1930s. In 1942, the main producer, Chisos Mining Company, filed for bankruptcy and from there mining declined till the end of World War II by when most of the population dispersed and Terlingua became a ghost town. Terlingua History

As the Big Bend area is a great distance away from the lights of major urban centers the night skies over among the darkest in North America. This makes for awesome star gazing by the naked eye or with a telescope if you have one. We watched the night-sky and it was magical; made you think again that we are a tiny spec of this whole universe and GOD made this world so beautiful. Come to think of it?!?

It was an amazing stargazing experience for the kids and they enjoyed the Milky Way in its full glory.  I wished we had a better camera to document it but thanks to fellow blogger Mike Mezeul II I get to show you some of it’s beauty that he captured. Absolutely stunning!! just looks like the way it is. I mean really O.M.G.!!!

Look at that?!? GOD.... you are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.... Photo By Mike Mezeul II
Look at that?!? Photo By Mike Mezeul II
The Milky Way!!! If you haven't seen one then what are you waiting for? Visit Big Bend!!!
The Milky Way!!! If you haven’t seen one then what are you waiting for? Visit Big Bend!!! Photo By Mike Mezeul II

These photos are just too crazyyyy cool and beautiful, credit to an amazing photographer who let me use it. Follow him as he continues to inspire us to travel and get the best photos possible. His web site can be reached here: Mike Mezeul II Photography

So, that was our night adventure. Early morning, I went for a walk with my girl and the place was deserted (as expected). It was a solemn moment for me and her. You know…. every time we travel, there is always something interesting I learn from the kids. My dear daughter asked me where were the people and when I told her that most people had left she answered, “they left coz there’s nothing to do here; they moved to the city Mom. But hopefully, they will come back and fill this place with people again”.  So, I asked “would you come back and make this place interesting?” and she replied, “this place is already interesting … people just have to come and see it.”  Ooooh… how I love conversations like these.

The Ghost Town in Terlingua
The Ghost Town in Terlingua
My sweet girl, I knew she will grow up making a difference in this world!!!
My sweet girl, I knew she will grow up making an impact in this world!!!
She loves to pick flowers and give it to me:) Got it from her Dad!!!
She loves to pick flowers and give it to me:) Got it from her Dad!!!

Big Bend country has something for everyone. If you are not the outdoor type of person then at least you can enjoy the serenity of this place and the gorgeous scenery. But if you love the outdoor, this place is definitely heaven. From hiking to climbing, to rafting, fishing, golfing, horseback riding etc…

My family, however, didn’t do many outdoor activities considering grandma’s health and the heat and limited ourselves to short easy hikes. Regardless we still had a BLAST!!!

We hike up to see Rio Grande, the river that divines Mexico and US, above the ground.
We went for a hike. WOW…. far stretching view of the mountains, vast desert and the Rio Grande (the 1,885 mile long river that divides Mexico and US) 

My Boy conquering his fear of heights.. He is getting there:)

My Boy conquering his fear of heights. He is getting there:)

Ready to cross the border:) Mexico...here I come:) hahaha
She’s ready to cross the border to Mexico:)

On one hike we turned around with my mom while Dad and daughter hiked further for some views and more photos.

Our lil trooper. I could see myself in her:)
Our Lil trooper. I could see myself in her:)

Fun fact about me: When I was a toddler, my parents who were teachers used to tag me along with them to their school, sometimes up to rural villages. I prefer to hike/walk than ride to my Dad’s motorcycle or ride a car.

Tip: Big Bend is famed for its hiking and for its extreme heat. So, hiking in the early morning is recommended and bring lots of water.

Our son’s first time stomping/ walking in deep mud… It’s an experience he will never forget:)

My lil boy's experience of a lifetime:) hmmm... for Dad as well:)
My Little boy’s experience of a lifetime:) hmmm… for Dad as well:)
Messy but fun:)
Messy but fun:)
These are cute crafts, unfortunately it's a violation to purchase any of these:(
These are cute crafts left unattended by Mexican traders.

FYI: Mexican Nationals may leave items for sales such as walking sticks, bracelets, and other crafts on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande. If you purchase their items or make a donation, you are encouraging illegal border crossings, which may result in the individual’s arrest and deportation through Presidio (100 miles away). Additionally, they may be fined or incarcerated. See more at: Border Merchants

YES, Bears and Mountain Lions....
YES, Bears and Mountain Lions….
Yup, there are people swimming. BUT it's not recommended.
Yup, there are people swimming in Rio Grande river though it’s not recommended.

Big Bend is a prime destination for photographers. You can get outstanding and awesome photos just steps from any road or on any trail you care to go on.

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My girl trying to tell Dad where to shoot… I love her eagerness to learn and be part of any activities.
View from Chisos Basin... Breathtaking.
View from Chisos Basin… Breathtaking.

 

Cactus and wildflowers are abundant.
Cactus and wildflowers are abundant.
with my beautiful Mom...So happy I could spend many adventures with her:)
With my beautiful Mom…So happy I could spend many adventures with her:)

 

Lajitas Golf Resort in the Big Bend of Texas
Lajitas Golf Resort in the Big Bend of Texas

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No matter how you choose to discover and explore the magnificent Big Bend, you can count on good times and a once in a lifetime adventure. I hope you will have lasting memories with this oasis. If you are you need a helping hand in planning your visit, I am always here to help. 

One last amazing fact about Big Bend National Park. Big Bend National Park is one of the world’s greatest areas for fossils. Fossils from the last 35 million year period of the dinosaurs have been found here covering the period from the Age of Reptiles into the Age of Mammals. Hundreds of fossils from dinosaurs (~100), plants (100+) , fishes (20+), frogs, salamanders, turtles, crocodiles, lizards, mammals have been discovered here providing the most comprehensive record of a prehistoric ecosystem known on the planet.

Thank you for reading and don’t forget to share.

xoxo

 

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About Author

BonBon

Call me BonBon!!! I am here to help you with your family travel plans and to inspire you to get out of your comfort zone. GO and explore the world. Travel. Learn. Evolve.

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19 Comments

  1. chloe gogo budget travel Reply
    January 5, 2017 at 11:11 pm

    Truely beautiful! i wish to see the awesome night fall with my own eyes! Thanks for sharing!

  2. Rajkumar Reply
    September 21, 2016 at 2:10 am

    ALL THE Pictures OUT HERE are TRULY AMAZING , ESPECIALLY THE The Milky Way!!!
    KEEP POSTING SUCH AMAZING PLACES.
    CHEERS 🙂

    • BonBon Reply
      September 22, 2016 at 8:26 am

      Thank you so much:) YES… so happy to finally see this park with the kids!!!

  3. Carol Colborn Reply
    September 18, 2016 at 10:17 pm

    One of the few national parks we have not been to! Looks stunning.

    • BonBon Reply
      September 20, 2016 at 6:06 pm

      YES, stunning indeed:) STaying inside the park should be very interesting:)

  4. Janna Reply
    September 18, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    I LOVE ALL THINGS NATIONAL PARK SO this is definitely right up in my alley. gorgeous photos too! love the beautiful scenery!

    • BonBon Reply
      September 20, 2016 at 6:07 pm

      Thank you Janna:) Hope you can go til it gets crowded:)

  5. Edith Rodriguez Reply
    September 18, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    The pictures reminded me a little of my home state, Arizona. Now living near L.A., I never get to see the stars, so the part about the Milky Way being so visible really caught my attention. Maybe one day when I’m in Texas I’ll get around to seeing Big Bend National Park. 🙂

    • BonBon Reply
      September 20, 2016 at 6:08 pm

      Yeah… the Milky Way is an unforgettable experience:) Yup… holler when you’re at the Big D:)

  6. Megan Jerrard Reply
    September 18, 2016 at 1:34 am

    Looks like this area is a photographers dream! what an amazing stargazing experience for both you guys and the kids – i’m so impressed by your night photography, you really captured the wonder of the milky way!

    • BonBon Reply
      September 20, 2016 at 6:10 pm

      YES, photographers heaven indeed:) By the way, I didn’t take the Milky shot… I am honored to use it from an amazing photographer, Mike Mezeul II. Follow him as he will continue to blow our mind away with awesome photos:)

    • Neha Reply
      November 30, 2016 at 11:34 pm

      Oh my God! you have taken stunning pictures, awesome scenaries, Texas is really amazing place to explore, having the experience of walknig in deep mud is really excited, I also want to try it!!!

    • Ishita Reply
      December 9, 2016 at 9:58 pm

      It is so good to see the mesmerizing flat mountains in Texas..beautiful scenaries..you have taken amazing pictures..since I am a photographer, I would also love to go there and want to click pictures as many as possible

  7. Tami Reply
    September 17, 2016 at 11:04 pm

    I loved your inclusion of the “fun fact about me”. Do you do that on all of your posts? Great idea! I just have to tell you your photos are spectacular. Such a beautiful area and a great getaway!

    • BonBon Reply
      September 20, 2016 at 6:12 pm

      Thank you Tami,I include fun facts about a subject on some blogs – Not all:)

  8. walker Reply
    September 16, 2016 at 3:34 pm

    Your timing to come to the Big bend was perfect. september and october are always the best months to visit but this year is exceptional. there has been so much late summer rain that the desert is spectacularly vibrant and alive and…….green. one day when everything returns again to its usual desert earth tones it will be hard to believe that these lovely pictures are real and not photoshopped!

    • BonBon Reply
      September 20, 2016 at 6:13 pm

      Oh yeah… it was soooo beautiful and hoping on our next visit we can do a lot of outdoor activities. and YES, my photos are not photoshopped at all:) hahaha Thanks for dropping by…

  9. Goldie Reply
    September 16, 2016 at 8:26 am

    Paul did an awesome job capturing those beautiful sceneries! Would love to see the milky way too. Andrew would definitely enjoy that too since he said he wants to be an astronomer. Maybe when baby A is bigger we might go there too! Great blog bon! ❤❤❤

    • BonBon Reply
      September 20, 2016 at 6:16 pm

      Hello golds, thank you for dropping some notes:) YES, you guys should go and Andrew will be blown away with the Milky way:) It’s a long drive but it’s worth the trip…especially you have a budding astronaut:)

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