In addition to Big Bend National Park, Texas has Big Bend Ranch State Park. After my night just outside the national park, I headed to the south entrance of the state park. Then, with some info in hand, I started the drive north.  

Roll ‘em!

My first notable stop was a movie set. Both Fandango (1985) and the Streets of Laredo (1995) were filmed in the area. I’ve never seen either one. Oh, well.

Closed Trail Canyon

The next notable stop was to walk down the Closed Trail Canyon, literally down the canyon towards the Rio Grande. This was a narrow-ish canyon and today it was mostly dry. As I progressed, I worked my way down a sand stream bed and occasionally over boulders. Finally, I came to a sign prohibiting me from going farther and given the large rocks, I agreed to turn around. I didn’t make it far though, one of the last rocks I’d slid down, was rather difficult to get back up. I’m certain I would have eventually made it, but other hikers were there and I gratefully accepted the hand up. The mom of the helpful family and I talked as we walked the mile or so out. It was good to see a family with younger kids out enjoying our national parks.

Javelina

Next I saw a Javelina in the daylight – not so frightening after all. Here’s a picture again. Nope, not related to pigs.

Fort Leaton

I continued to the north end of the state park and Fort Leaton. High school student volunteer docents gave me a great individual tour of fort – they earned school credit for work at the fort. I learned that the roofing was put at an angle over the owner’s quarters to keep the evil spirits out; over the servants’ quarters, the roofing was simply installed across the roof – that must have been easier or cheaper to do, but did not provide the same protection from the spirits.

The fort was built of and for the area it was located in:

• Ocotillo branches were used for roofing and fencing
• Downspouts helped with water collection
• The LARGE wagon required up to 19 horses and hauled silver – some of these types of wagons were even bigger!

I stayed on the grounds of the fort to eat my lunch and enjoyed some local entertainment: a flock of quail ran around, a woodpecker flitted by, a female cardinal passed through, and other birds twittered away.

The Blob

Somewhere after exiting the park, I saw a blob on the horizon – a large white thing. It looked kind of like a blimp, or a cartoon airplane. As I came closer, it really did look blimpish. Some sort of space exploration equipment? Weather equipment? Hot air balloon?

In the end, I found a sign identifying it as the Tethered Aerostat Radar System that is part of Customs and Border Patrol.

El Paso

From the park, I headed towards El Paso, where I found Costco (often the best price on gas in an area) and picked up a block of cheese. For some reason, it seems weird to me to shop at Costco while on a road trip; I definitely don’t have room for Costco quantities in my car.

After Costco, I went into the nearby Target for something or other and had to go into the attached mall to use the restroom. On my way, I passed this Quinceañera dress shop. I’d later see one of these dresses in action in California.

But first, I have to get out of Texas!

Cover Photo

A view of Big Bend Ranch State Park