Twelve Ways to Get Enveloped in Big Bend
This is what it is to be enveloped by Big Bend National Park in springtime:
Start with the sky at sunset, looking all the way through The Window to Mexico, and let it envelope you.
Take a hike, and look up to be enveloped by the stark desert around you.
Look down, and find bright springtime rewards atop the spiny cactus.
Stop for a snack on the trail, become enveloped by your surroundings and be surprised by the sudden appearance of some nosy Mexican jays, happy to share your food.
Always be aware, lest a bear decides to envelope you. In which case, it’s your fault—for trailing food crumbs or tempting them with your unattended backpack, or because you came between a mama and her cubs.
Climb to the summit, and be enveloped by the stark landscape that thrives all around you.
Enjoy your awe when a huge black raven takes flight right above your head.
When you’re surrounded by the Hot Springs cliffs on the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande River, and the many canyon wrens who make their home there, let them envelope you with sweet birdsong.
Look closely and you’ll discover you’re enveloped by pictographs, left by other hikers much earlier than you, like the Late Prehistoric era.
You may even have a chance to become enveloped by Mexican culture across the Rio Grande, if you make the river crossing over to Boquillas.
Find yourself enveloped by high canyon walls for at least 20 miles into the Santa Elena Canyon, where the Rio Grande River flows from Texas into Mexico.
At day’s end, delight in the company of a curious roadrunner who’s not intimidated by touristos like you, but merely a hungry opportunist. Can’t you spare a crumb? ♣
Big Bend National Park is the both one of the largest and the one of the least visited national parks in the United States. There’s a lot to learn about Big Bend, whether you ever get there or not (but why wouldn’t you?); the National Park Service has it all spelled out HERE. Getting enveloped by Big Bend makes the long drive in worth your while. Take at look at more of my outdoor photography in my Naturescapes Shop.
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Thanks for sharing so many photos. Big Bend is one of the handful of parks I’ve yet to pay a visit to, but know I will someday.
Holler at me if you need tips! It’s a long drive out there . . . but of course there are rewards along the way. Thanks for your comments, Jeri.
Your photos are beautiful. Those jays look very curious. They have a gorgeous blue to them. I never realized road runners were that small.
Thanks, Ula, you know what? Roadrunners aren’t that small at all. Wish I had a photograph with some context to show that, but alas, not. They’re pretty comical, fast and amazing and it’s always a huge gift when one crosses my path. Appreciate your comments.
Yes, I was enveloped by a longing to visit Big Bend RIGHT NOW, but of course that can’t happen, although I’ll be in the Phoenix area next week, as close as I’ll be for some time. However, I enjoyed the trip through your eyes and photos, so thanks for that!
janet
Terrific, I’ve succeeded in luring you to my favorite unkept secret! Enjoy Phoenix, it has its own charms.
Your photos are so real and capture my imagination. I feel I was there at Big Bend with you, except you gave it beauty the ordinary eye might miss.
Kate, what a terrific compliment. Thank you. You’ve struck something about me—I enjoy giving tours. 😉
those are some stunning images, very vivid – makes me want to travel right now! Great blog.
So glad to hear from you, thanks, Claudia.
I loved Big Bend, but I’ll admit I was a little creeped out by all the signs warning you about finding starving, thirsty people (i.e. illegal Mexicans) crossing the more remote areas of the park. It may be beautiful, but it’s a horrible place to get stuck without resources. Really reminds you just how scary those border crossings can be.
It’s a chilling thought that migrants could be in trouble there, and considering how remote and drought-ridden the area is, not unexpected. Hope you were able to enjoy it for the vast natural area of many microclimates that it is, Lori.
Jann, those are captivating stone formations. We are so blessed with our national park system. Such treasures to behold for scores of visitors.
It’s one of the best things about the USofA, our national parks. Thank you, Sally.
I’m hoping to finally visit this, the most famous park in my home state, in the next year. Thanks for sharing, Jann! Beautiful photos.
Thank, Kim, you’ll love Big Bend, I’m sure. Are you in Austin?
Love those Mexican jays –which I had no idea about them.