We are here at Big Bend National park, and we planned to take a hike to the hot springs that are a few miles upriver from our campground. Oh Boy! Hot Springs. My favorite!

First a couple photos from yesterday. There's a great little nature trail right from the campground, to views of the river.


On coming back to camp we interrupted dinner for these Javelinas. They are distantly related to pigs, and they can be pretty aggressive. There are all sorts of warnings about not leaving food out, and keeping a tight hold on your pets.



As we were settling in to our campsite last night, I noticed a fifth wheel pulling in that looked familiar. Sure enough when they turned the corner, I saw the sign on the back that said "CoolJourney.net". That's the website for Bill and Susan who we met in Utah last year. What a treat to run into them again. Since we were all settled in, we decided to go over and bug them while they went thru their setup procedures. They graciously gave us some wine while we yakked away and were generally being nosey about all their stuff! Don't they know, if they give us wine, we'll never leave?

Anyway, we agreed to get together this morning for the hike to the hotsprings. It was wonderful.

This is Jim and Susan hiking.


I guess you'll have to go to their website to see pictures of them because the only photo we took of them was with their camera. We really enjoyed the conversation along the trail, and, what a treat to have someone along to take a picture of the two of us.





Quite a few cactus flowers along the way.



It was a hot, dry hike, but the views were worth it.



And, here's the hot springs. The trail from the camground is 3.3 miles, but there is also a road that comes in from another direction. So, there were a few people at the springs. The temperature was about 100, it was wonderful. And, you could sit on top of the retaining wall and get in the Rio Grande to cool off. Just, hold on to the wall cuz the current was pretty swift.



Here are some views on the way back.



Everything you see here is in Big Bend National Park - it's huge.


The mountains in the distance of this photo are the Sierra Del Carmen. They're on the other side of the river, thus, in Mexico.

If I didn't know any better I would have said something like GREAT POSTCARDS. Photography is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!

I want you to stay out west! All you'll do when you go back east is float in those dinky little canoes again...no photo possibilities with THAT! :) :) LOL!

Your photographs of the park are wonderful! I have lived and worked here in Rio Grande Village for 2 years and appreciate the wonderful photography you submitted. It gives a good idea of everything offered in this vast but warm park. Thank you.