2002

The boundary of Big Ben National Park follows the Rio Grande River along the International border between Texas and Mexico from just below Lajitas, Texas to the west and just below La Linda, Texas to the East.  On Highway 385, it is a 29-mile drive from the entrance to the park to the Visitor Center and Park Headquarters.  The drive to Rio Grande Village where we found RV parking with full hookups was another twenty miles.

Because we had to unhook the Saturn to park the motorhome, we decided to explore other parts of the park that are not accessible with the RV.  That meant driving 23 miles back past the Visitors Center to the road to Chisos Basin where we discovered a motel and a restaurant with great food and spectacular views.  In the span of a few hours we saw a coyote, javelinas, jack rabbits, gophers, road runners, hawks and deer eating on the leaves of shurbs and bushes.  On our return we walked through the campground.  The full hookup area was simply a large parking lot with utilities along the edges.  The rest of the sites were in an expansive grassy area nearby  with plenty of shade trees.  We followed a boat ramp leading down to the Rio Grande River, but it was not in any condition to use because the water was so low.  Mexico was less than 100 feet across the river and obviously a problem for the Border Patrol who were much in evidence around the park.

Although the desert vistas look barren, they actually teem with life suited to the climate.  The park must be truly amazing when the many types of cacti are in bloom.

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