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The two RV Gypsies spent a second day at
Big Bend National Park and saw a wild fire,
Mexican artwork, wildlife and more beautiful scenery
October 11, 2012

Rio Grande Overlook and tunnel

Rio Grande Overlook
looking into Mexico
rough looking mountain
rough looking mountain
purple colors in the ground
tunnel in Big Bend National Park
tunnel in Big Bend National Park
tunnel in Big Bend National Park

Limestone weathers reluctantly in dry climates, and leaves soils rough and stony with few deep pockets to hold water and nutrients. Certain plants seem to like these dubious qualities.

sign about the plants in Big Bend National Park
sign about the plants in Big Bend National Par

Below: The two RV Gypsies looked for a lunch spot and saw some wildlife. Karen Duquette quickly snapped photos from the safety of their toad.

wildlife
wildlife
roadrunner

Below: Before eating lunch, the two RV Gypsies took a quick walk around the area and got another view of the Rio Grande River.

Lee Duquette gets another view of the Rio Grande River
another view of the Rio Grande River
another view of the Rio Grande River
another view of the Rio Grande River
flower

Below: Then, just around the corner, the two RV Gypsies came to a pond full of ducks.

a pond full of ducks
a pond full of ducks

Below: Karen Duquette saw a big bird at the other end of the pond. Look carefully to see it. Then, zooming in on flowers, Karen managed to photograph a blue dragonfly in flight (seen at the very top of the photo below on the right). Dragonflies never stop flying, so they are really hard to photograph. But this is not her first, nor her best photograph of a dragonfly.

big bird at the other end of the pond.
flowers and a blue dragonfly
Karen Duquette photographing ducks at Big Bend National Park
Karen Duquette in Big Bend National Park
Karen Duquette in Big Bend National Park

Below: More dragonflies

dragonflies
dragonflies

Below: After lunch, the two RV Gypsies continued driving through Big Bend National Park and saw a wildfire on the other side of the Rio Grande River in Mexico.

a wildfire on the other side of the Rio Grande River (in Mexico)
a wildfire on the other side of the Rio Grande River (in Mexico)
a wildfire on the other side of the Rio Grande River (in Mexico)
a wildfire on the other side of the Rio Grande River (in Mexico)
a wildfire on the other side of the Rio Grande River (in Mexico)

Rio Grande Village Nature Trail (The Bridge Trail) was an easy trial with a 0.75 mile loop. Although short and easy, the trail was very scenic. The first 100 yards was wheelchair accessible and crossed a boardwalk through a spring-fed wetland. Then the trail gradually climbed a limestone hill with panoramic vistas of the Rio Grande, and the Chisos and Del Carmen Mountains.

warning sign about buying Mexican goods
Rio Grande Village Nature Trail boardwalk
Lee Duquette on the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail boardwalk
Karen Duquette on the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail boardwalk
The two RV Gypsies on the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail boardwalk
Karen Duquette on the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail boardwalk
Karen Duquette on the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail boardwalk
a cool looking dead tree
turtles in the pond

Below: Turtles in the water

Below: Across the last bridge

Turtles in the water
Across the last bridge

Below: The two RV Gypsies made their way up a small hill and took panorama looks back at the wildfire.

wildfire
wildfire and the Rio Grande River
wildfire and the Rio Grande River

Below: Remember the warning sign at the beginning of this trail about purchasing or possessing items from Mexican Nationals? Well, here is the reason why. On many of the trails in Big Bend National Park, lots of unattended items were on display for sale, with a jar to put money in. It is important that you do NOT do it!

illegal Mexican goods for sale

Below: The two RV Gypsies looked at and photographed some of the interesting items, but of course they did NOT buy nor take any of the items. They admired the handiwork then put the stuff right back where it was.

illegal Mexican goods for sale
illegal Mexican goods for sale
illegal Mexican goods for sale
illegal Mexican goods for sale
illegal Mexican goods for sale

Below: More dramatic views of the Rio Grande River and the wildfire.

more dramatic views of the Rio Grande River and the wildfire.
more dramatic views of the Rio Grande River and the wildfire.
more dramatic views of the Rio Grande River and the wildfire.

Below: Looking across the Rio Grande into Mexico, the two RV Gypsies noticed the dramatic sandstone and limestone layers of the Sierra Del Carmen Mountain Range. These cliff walls tower above the small community of Buckyballs (Bo-key-us) and are interrupted only by the narrow slice of river entering Buckyballs Canyon. Farther south, the Mad eras Del Carmen Mountains reach 9,000 feet in elevation, and the rich evergreen forests found there.

Looking across the Rio Grande into Mexico
Looking across the Rio Grande into Mexico
Looking across the Rio Grande into Mexico
Looking across the Rio Grande into Mexico
Looking across the Rio Grande into Mexico
Looking across the Rio Grande into Mexico
Looking across the Rio Grande into Mexico

Below: Buckyballs Canyon overlook

the road to Bouquillas Canyon overlook in Big Bend National Park
Boquillas Canyon overlook
Bouquillas Canyon overlook and the Rio Grande River
Boquillas Canyon overlook and the Rio Grande River

Below: More of the Mexican wares that are illegal to purchase or possess. The two RV Gypsies wondered how they put them here and how they collect the money (if any) without being caught? Also, why doesn't the park just confiscate the goods?

Mexican wares that are illegal
Mexican wares that are illegal
Mexican wares that are illegal
Mexican wares that are illegal

Below: A U.S. Department of the Interior Geological Survey plaque

U.S. Department of the Interior Geoglogical Survey plaque

Below: The two RV Gypsies stayed just outside of Big Bend National Park at Big Bend Resort and Adventures RV Park. The office worker was very nice, and showed the two RV Gypsies the sitting area with free coffee. The park had free Wi-Fi, but it was unsecured. There was no cable, but the two RV Gypsies had 12 basic TV stations that worked OK via antenna. Strong wind guests are common in this area, so they kept their awning in when they were not at home. (Remember, this is their only home). There was a gas station (that was super expensive and definitely over-priced), a convenience store and small restaurant nearby. The two RV Gypsies did not use any of those amenities, nor the laundry room, showers that cost, nor the restrooms in the campground. That is because they live in a very well equipped RV.

Big Bend Resort and Adventures RV Park sign
the RV of the Two RV Gypsies in south Texas
Big Bend Resort and Adventures RV Park
Big Bend Resort and Adventures RV Park
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