BigBend National Park
Winter 2021
A solo trip for me.
Warning---there is not much Motorcycle riding in this story.
My buddy High Five was to join me on this ride but he just couldn't get away
and I went alone---and mostly did other things besides riding my 701.
And I had a great time doing so.
I hauled my 701 Husqvarna and mountain bicycle down to Texas in my van
traveling on 2 lane 55mph roads. So relaxing.

And found some cool stuff on the way.
I cruised thru Kingsland, Arkansas on nice slow 2 lane 55 mph roads.
And low and behold this is where Johnny Cash was born-----that was so cool----I don't know if
you like Johnny Cash's music but he was as big as anything in most people's book.
When I was a young boy between watching Gunsmoke and Andy Griffith my dad had
Johnny cash playing on the radio. I didn't have a guitar yet---but was taken by those guitar
licks in his songs---and would later learn to play them all. At 69 years of age now I still
play them regularly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a really tiny town and I cruised thru slowly and slowed down from 55 mph---that's much too fast.
When I think of Johnny Cash--------I think of my dad. It was a much slower time that I miss badly.

 

 

 

Castell town and store-----population---about 14.
Just West of Llano, Texas.

 

 

 

I made the mistake of not seeing this sign and walked right in --------with my covid mask on.
No one in here was wearing a mask and I asked if they wanted me to wear mine------that was my 2nd mistake.
They didn't throw me out and I had the best sandwich I had ever eaten here.
They finally warmed up to me a bit------even tho I was wearing a South Dakota hat, no socks and sandals.
I think the only thing that saved me was that my covid mask was the Texas flag---true story.

 

 

Crossed the Llano river just North of the old store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK------pay attention.
2 years ago this was me wading out to the bridge you see in front of me------it's under water.
This is Lake Amistad---we camped in the campground here for about 3 weeks.

 

 

 

 

I made it out there all the while my wife was not happy with me doing stupid stuff and hollering
at me to come back--------the road seemed to be gone on the other side of the bridge------it was.

 

 

I think the ducks were laughing at me !!!!

 

 

 

So on this day I camped here again and went down to see the bridge under water.
And this is what I saw---------I couldn't believe it---the water was down a good 20ft.

 

 

When it was flooded I was determined to walk out there-----good thing I didn't.
I couldn't help myself and got on my mountain bike and was determined to get to the other side this time.

 

 

 

But ran into a problem on the other side---there was another bridge------dang it !!!!!!!! and it was
not accesible ---------or so I thought.
I actually called my wife here and told here what I was going to do.
And she told me "I better not"-------or I'd be in trouble.

 

 

 

 

 

I endeavored to persevere.
dropped off the old road---rode down into the bottom of the lake and made it to the other side.
Wahoooooo !!!!!

 

It's just too cool riding on the bottoom of a lake.
So---------I made it.

 

 

 

 

Barely made it back to my camp spot since air was sprewing out of my rear tire.
The first of 7 flats I would have this trip.

A short video of my bicycle ride--select HD if you have the speed.

 

 

After 2 days camping on Lake Amistad I headed West and crossed the Peco's river on my way
to BigBend National Park.

 

 

 

I boondock camped in Marathon Texas and before turning in for the nite I drove down to the old
fort South of town and the park that was there. It's beautiful here and I wished I could camp there.

 

Sign here said to call this number to get a camping permit to camp here.
I called it and the guy was very rude and told me they don't allow camping here.
Well----------take down your sign then I barked back at him.

 

 

 

I luv Javelina's----never been so close to some back in Marathon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure--------but I'm thinking I remember this signified Feb. 2nd, 2021

 

 

 

 

I was so determined to camp in BigBend National park ----------why ???????
The campgrounds are only by reservation only now------and they are booked all thru the winter and into
early spring. But I got a 6 day reservation in Rio Grand village campground and a 2 day reservation in
the impossible to get into Cottonwood campground. While at home I sneaked reservations in when someone
cancelled theirs------you have to jump on these or miss the chance. I didn't know High Five wasn't coming till
2 days after I left home---------and I wasn't giving up on this chance even if it meant not riding my motorcycle
with my buddy. It's a cool place BigBend---I did some things that I'd never done while there.

So I went for a hike after I got there.

 

 

 

 

Mexico is across the Rio Grand
The Mexicans cross the river -------lay their homemade goods on the ground on the hiking trails for
you to buy------pick up the money left from buyers and go back across.

 

 

Really nice handcrafted stuff.

 

 

I bought these for my wife for her birthday---a little road runner and a hiking pole.
The hiking pole is way to short for most anybody---but fits my short wife perfectly.
I'm never home for B'days and such.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is called "The Nature Trail"
It's right out of the campgound.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fellow in the red shirt was singing his heart out and he was so good.
There was a tip jar there for him. He wasn't impressed with my singing at all as I tried to sing
"In A Little Cafe On The Udder Side Of De Border"
The Boquillas crossing here has been closed for quite awhile----you use to be able so summon a canoe
to come and get you---then ride a horse or donkey into Boquillas, Mexico for a nice lunch and
maybe some shopping. Since the border closed the people there are really having a hard time
surviving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hike dead ends into those canyon walls.

 

 

 

 

 

This horseman had some hay for his horses.

 

 

He puts the hay over his shoulder and rides into the deep water.
If you've never seen the head waters of the Rio Grande----it's a cool and beautiful place in Colorado.
I've been there a couple of times.

 

 

This is Keith-------we rode the Old Ore Road together.
He's been riding in the park for 42 years and doesn't need a gps-----didn't own one.
He was camped close to me with all his family and grand kids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't there is an inch of the whole National Park I've not ridden my motorcycle on over the years.
So I was not so dissapointed to do some other things. I rode my bicycle in here a lot and got at least
5 flat tires--------I ran out of tubes and patches.

 

 

This is the first part of the hiking trail--------a floating bridge.

 

 

Then up you go.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the high point of the trail which overlooks the Rio Grand River.
I loved this trail so much----------I know I hiked it 4 times.
And on one trip ran into a Missouri riding friend of mine---Jeff Holloday (MizzouRider) and his wife.
They had their bicycles on the back of their Airstream camper and were having a great time.

 

 

 

We came up here for the sunset-----------and waited---------the sun was behind the clouds
and we knew there would be no great sunset.

 

 

But----------we were wrong !!!!!

 

 

 

 

I moved to Cottonwood Campground after this.
Super nice quiet campground near the rio grand river which is close to the Santa Elena Canyon hike.
One of the best in the park.
Wish I started hiking much earlier in life---my balance is not so good anymore.

Hiking Along The Rio Grande River..

Spacer