Big Bend N. P. (Day 3)

Monday Feb. 3rd

We awoke here in Presidio to another cold morning, however the air is very dry, as we head next door to get some breakfast.  Right in the middle of enjoying an authentic Mexican breakfast, I glanced out the narrow window and saw a brilliant sunrise.  Grabbing my camera, I jumped up from the table and ran outside to capture it on film!

 We have a book named "Scenic Driving Texas" that we brought with us on this trip since several of the scenic drives listed in the book are right down here in this area of Texas.  The drive along F.M. 170 between Presidio and Lajitas, The River Road, is right on our way to Big Bend National Park.  Looking at our Roads of Texas Atlas this morning we see that F.M. 170 also leads west out of Presidio to Ruidosa, so we decided to check it out since we may never be in this area again.  The road is a paved two-lane with no shoulders and several cattle-guards.  There is absolutely no traffic!  (We only meet one vehicle all the way to Ruidosa.)   

  The Rio Grande is on our left and the Chinati Mountains are on our right.                                 

 We pass several small cemeteries along the way.

 

 

 Loose livestock ahead!

 

 I took photos of lots of gates, but looking past each gate we see no house, only low-growing scrub, not much for livestock to eat.

 

                          Another cattle guard!

 

 

                           We have arrived in Ruidosa!

We did not see any movement, human or livestock, only a few forlorn buildings.  A sign mentioning Hot Springs off to our right, however to reach it is 2-3 miles down a gravel road.  So instead, we turn around and head back toward Presidio.  It is a really nice morning for a drive though!

 

 These plants stand out as the tallest thing in a vast barren land.

Another gate hidden in the low-growing plant life. 

 The Rio Grande lies in that valley and those mountains are on the other side in Mexico.  Out here we have not seen that high fence on the border that we have heard about in the news.

 

 There are gates for West Fork Ranches on both sides of F.M. 170 for miles.  They must own thousands of acres in the Rio Grande valley.

                          Yet another cemetery.

                          ......with a historical marker.

                        .... and the ever-present Border Patrol.

....the only gate with a house beyond.  Nobody home though.

We made it safely back to Presidio and head east on F.M. 170 toward Lajitas........more later.