Read more about the article Joshua Tree NP – California

Joshua Tree NP – California

We met my husband’s family at Big Bear Lake, CA last summer. Those who’ve read my posts know that I don’t like to stay in one place for a long time – especially somewhere I’d been before. Since four days hanging out at a lake didn’t excite me, I decided to take one of my daughters (Thing 2) with me to Joshua Tree National Park for a day trip.

Looking at the Joshua Tree inside the park

It was a huge undertaking but worth it in the end. We left just before sunrise. Although only a little over 70 miles from Big Bear, the drive to the western entrance takes almost two hours mainly because the two-lane road full of hair-pin curves winds its way down the San Bernardino mountains for about 25 miles. Fortunately once we reached the Lucerne Valley area, miles of desert (and flat, straight roads) stretched ahead. (more…)

Read more about the article Boquillas Canyon and Hot Springs – Bend Bend National Park
Overlooking the Rio Grande from the Boquillas Canyon Trail

Boquillas Canyon and Hot Springs – Bend Bend National Park

After completing the Balanced Rock Trail, we ventured to the eastern side of Big Bend National Park. We passed the Panther Junction visitor center – one of two places in the park to purchase gasoline. Then we drove about 20 miles to Boquillas Canyon.

Even though we had seen the Rio Grande at Santa Elena Canyon the previous day, this area was completely different. Instead of being surrounded by sheer limestone cliffs, this area was more open and the river seemed to flow faster.  Additionally, we could see people on the other side in Mexico riding horses. (more…)

Read more about the article Balanced Rock Trail – Big Bend National Park
On the trail

Balanced Rock Trail – Big Bend National Park

We started our last day at La Posata Milagro where my brother-in-law recommended. Not only did we have great breakfast outside (70 degrees) but we ordered meatloaf sandwiches for a picnic later.

La Posata Milagro

Once we entered the park, we took a side road to Balanced Rock trail. The 7-mile gravel road was primitive and we wondered if the rental car would make it. After a slow drive, we found the parking area. (more…)

Read more about the article Chisos Basin – Big Bend National Park
Windows View at Chisos Basin

Chisos Basin – Big Bend National Park

The hub of Big Bend National Park activity is found at the Chisos Basin area which is surrounded by the Chisos Mountains. In fact, many visitors explore nothing past this area with its visitor center, campgrounds and lodge. We even had trouble finding a parking place.  We enjoyed the view of the Chisos Mountains while eating our picnic lunch. Surprisingly, the mountain range is not the tallest in Texas. That honor belongs to several summits in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Davis Mountains State Park.

There are two trails with the name Windows. The Window Trail is 5.6 miles so we weren’t taking that one. The other is the Window View trail. It’s paved and considerably shorter at 0.3 miles.

The trail was so short that one of my daughters and I decided to walk the 1.8-mile Chisos Basin Loop Trail. I liked that it took us into the basin and we could enjoy walking among what we had seen from above on the Lost Mine Trail. Even though it was the same Chisos Mountains, the lower altitude vantage point made a difference. (more…)