Tri-colored heron, Gulf of Mexico
Huge oil rig towed to the Gulf of Mexico; at least 8 tug boats were used to keep it on track.
The “Big Tree,” a 1,000+ years old live oak in Goose Island State Park, Gulf of Mexico
Dumping our waste…….
Austin, Texas; in front of Bobbie’s house (Bobbie was a World Bank colleague and friend; she has been living in Austin for many years; we enjoyed her and her husband George’s hospitality; they prepared a lovely bbq, while we were doing 3 loads of laundry……). Also, nice to sleep in a real bed for a change.
Austin: in front of the Texas State Capitol which is taller and bigger than the Capitol in DC (that’s Texas for you).
The world’s largest roadrunner……
(see also the last photo)
Pumping oil in the middle of town (Fort Stockton, TX)
Big Bend National Park on the Rio Grande, the border with Mexico
A hike from our campground to “The Window.” When it rains the water gushes down through this canyon into the plain below. Mexico in the distance.
“The Window”
Javelino, a small wild pig; we saw them several times; they are not shy. At one point, a group of 6 filed right through our campground.
Ranger “Rob,” a self-proclaimed scat (animal poop) expert. He crushed some dried up poop and showed us what the animal had eaten and therefore which animal it had been (a grey fox, I believe).
On May 16, we hiked/climbed to Emory Peak which is at almost 2,400m, the highest mountain in Big Bend NP. Started at our campground (1,650m). It was a steep ascend and a hot day. Took us 3 1/2 hours to reach the top (and 2 1/2 to get down). Also, warnings along the way for wild animals and I mean really wild: mountain lions and black bears.
We didn’t see any, however. They probably spotted us.
On our way to Emory Peak (and visibly tired)
At the top, except for a final scramble up the rock face
We made it; the rock climb of a about 10m without ropes was a real challenge (see photos below)
Emory Peak with the Park Service antennas
Coming down from the top
This is better than my one time at a climbing wall in Amsterdam and about as challenging as our scramble in Peru with Phil in March (see an earlier blog)
A flowering yucca; the plant flowers once and then it dies; what a wasted effort…..
Prickly pear cactus, flowering
Peaks at Big Bend Nat. Park
Happily descending and finally using the Flip video camera for a panoramic view of the landscape…….
In front of the “Mule Ears” on a scenic drive
“Tuff Canyon.” Walls of exposed volcanic tuff stone
A 2-hour hike in the desert on our way to the “Chimneys” a rock formation created through volcanic activity, 30 million years ago
Staying hydrated in the desert
The Chimneys
The largest Chimney with…….
ancient Indian rock art (we think this is a lizard or a scorpion)
Red prickly pear cactus
A real roadrunner in our campground. It’s a desert bird that eats snakes and lizards; it can run as fast as 20 mph and was the inspiration for the Disney cartoon series of the same name.
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