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Big Bend Eastern Side


The drive down to the eastern end of the park at
Rio Grande Village was quite scenic and interesting.


On the way to the Village, I parked in a lot for
Hot Springs and climbed the hill to look at some ruins.


Here is the corner of a building from the early 20th century.
The Rio Grande is visible, and the other side of the river
is Mexico.

 
The Rio Grande spreads out to a shallow, wide stream here.


I made some new friends at the Hot Springs. We all happened to
converge on the place at about the same time!
L-R: Laura, Mark, Steve, Michelle, Robert 


Having had the foresight to bring my bathing suit,
I jumped into the warm water complete with cowboy hat. Steve
on the right is sitting directly above the spring source.
There used to be a stone house here but it probably got
washed out by the Rio Grande beyond. 
Note also the Mexican shelter across the river - in Mexico!


I bought a pair of wire scorpions from the Mexican guy
across the river. There were stiff penalties for 
either of us to cross the river - like 3 years in jail
and $5000 fines! Transaction was via fishing line!


This is the trail back to the parking lot from Hot Springs.


It's amazing how plants manage to survive in the harsh environment.


One of the characteristic plants which define the 
Chihuahuan Desert is the agave lechuguilla shown here.

 
Sotol (left) and Hectia (right). Hectia is a false agave - really a member of the pineapple
family). These two plants are also indicators of the Chihuahuan desert.
These photos are borrowed from Desert Ecology Web Site


The creosote bush gives the desert it's characteristic, pungent
smell.


Indians used this plant as a scrub brush!


This is the access road to Hot Springs. Note the "divided 
highway" with a rather harsh median!



Here I am approaching the eastern end; the Rio Grande
flood plain is covered with reeds and other wetland plants.

 
Here the Rio Grande makes a final bend and disappears into
the Boquillas Canyon.

 
I met Victor and his sons Edwardo and Pedro. They leave tourist
items on the US side on the honor system. We traded some items
back and forth including bags of groceries that magically 
ended up with them as dusk was settling over the park.
Many people in the Mexican town, Boquillas Del Carmen,
lost their tourist income after September 11, 2001 when the US clamped down on the borders.


There is a boardwalk through the wetlands just off the campsites
area in Rio Grande Village. I was lucky to get these shots
in the light of a full moon.

 
After this hike, I turned around and headed the 29 miles back to
the Chisos Basin.