What Marfa, Texas couldn’t deliver in terms of optimal viewing and dark night skies, Big Bend National Park did! Even though we had lived for six years in Texas, we had never made it to this remote place. In fact, less than 90% of US Citizens have made the trek. Only 500,00 people a year come to Big Bend, mostly because it is tucked away in the upper corner of the western part of the state and sits along the US/Mexico border. When we lived in South Texas, we were about 8 miles to the Mexico border. Our campground while in the park was about 8 yards away!
There was something very different about Big Bend, almost pre-historic in its mountains and topography. It was hot, dry, and rugged. And wide-open space. And all that nothingness is what makes the park special.
One morning, we got up at 4:30 am to venture up the mountain trail in the Jeep and set about watching the very clear, dark night sky. We were all alone on the top of the mountain and were rewarded with the gorgeous Persoid Meteor shower! We must have seen at least a dozen fly past us. And the stars. Oh my, there were millions of them, scattered and twinkling, taking our breath away. Our necks were so sore from craning them up, but we didn’t care.
Gary took some amazing pictures of the Milky Way Galaxy, our galaxy. If you’ve never seen the milky white band that is the outer edge of our true home, then you definitely need to get out into nature more. Of course, you can’t see the purples, blues, and pinks of the dust clouds with the naked eye, but through a long exposure on your camera, the sight is other-worldly!
While we were up on the mountain top, getting ready to leave, we heard the howling of an animal pack, and they were getting closer. At first, we thought it must be wolves, but then we realized it was coyotes. I admit it was thrilling and scary all at once. We quickly got in the Jeep and headed back to the safety of the RV.
The next evening, we stayed up late and went up the mountain again around midnight. We had some company, as it was the last night for the meteor shower. We all were treated to another spectacular show! But these two old folks were so tired. We are usually in bed by 10 pm so these crazy early hours are reserved for truly special occasions.
We learned so much from our time in Big Bend, about the stars, and the sun – our only star in our solar system – and had many reflections while looking up. There’s something about seeing all those stars, 100 billion of them or more, in our galaxy. But our eyes can only see the closest stars, a few thousand at best. With giant telescopes, like the ones we toured at the MacDonald Observatory, high up in the Davis Mountains, they can reach so many more.
Big Bend was the last of the National Parks for us this summer. We made it to 11 National Parks this year, 8 of them new parks we hadn’t been to before. That brings our total number of parks visited in our 38 years together to 33! And this summer marked the 49th state that we have visited as a couple, as well. I think we’ve decided that Gary and I are really good travel buddies!
We took three days to travel East out of Texas and straight through to Jacksonville, where our family always waits for us. Traveling along I10 is nothing new but getting three flat or broken tires in three days was. We can count ourselves lucky that Gary is a terrific driver and that we were able to solve the issues with a little bit of patience and a lot of cash!
So that’s it, dear Readers, the end of an epic summer trip. We experienced twenty states, seven thousand miles, 11 National Parks, countless people met along the way, gorgeous sites and attractions, beautiful mountains, crystal-blue lakes, grand, flowing rivers, red and dusty deserts, and alpine forests!
One of our reflections while looking up at those ancient stars was contemplating our place in this world and the time we have left in it. We are merely blips in time and are only here for such a short while. But these mountains and rivers were here before anyone and will be here long after we are gone. We take so much for granted, but those stars let us stop and be grateful for being a part of it anyway.
Our beautiful country is vast, diverse, and inviting. It requires attention and stewardship. It deserves respect and conservation. It is worth protecting and celebrating. And I believe this summer, we did just that.
Until next time, when the Lights are off again.
What a great summer adventure. Enjoy seeing your family and getting back to your home!
What a summer adventure! Thank you for sharing your trip, it really inspired me to get planning. You went places on my travel list and I hope to follow some of your locations in the future.