Today I am riding to the parts we missed last year. It is still quite dark out but the camera has somehow adjusted for it.

Last year we missed seeing the Santa Elena canyon.

It is a 30 mile ride to the canyon and all of the pics up to and including the canyon are being taken from that road.

There was some very heavy air and a little rain which hampers the clarity a bit.

Even so, it was a glorious morning to be riding.

This building has stood the test of time and still looks pretty solid.

See the gap in the top of the very blurry farthest range? That is where I am going. It is still 14 air miles from where I'm taking this picture from.

This is outside of the Chisos Basin

It is very green this year.

A lot of variety in the formations

Both in shape and color.

This was taken from the Mule Ears viewpoint.

Not sure where this was taken, but it was. :)

Big change in color here

Quite striking when you come around the corner and Wow....there it is!

And then an odd shape or two here and there.

Interesting story

Interesting to note that up to 95% of the water from the Rio Grande is removed before it gets to here.

The Rio Grande flows through that gap.

You can just see a bit of the water now.

It is 1500 feet from the water to the tops of those ridges.

You can see the clear water from the Rio coming out of the canyon and the turbid water coming from Terlinqua creek to the right.

When Terlingua is dry you can access this trail. If you don't mind getting wet you still can even when it is flowing like now.

you could then climb up to these viewing areas. Yeah right!

A little different shot of the colorful mountain on the way out.

The camera doesn't quite capture the beauty of this immense valley.

A good year for the wild flowers

After seeing Santa Elena Canyon I headed to the other place we missed last year. The little border crossing to Borquilles Del Carmen.

After checking in on the American side you walk down this little trail to the Rio Grande.

It isn't too long of a walk, maybe a quarter of a mile. 

After a bit you can see the river and the rowboats that will ferry you across for $5.00

On the other side is the singer man who is not shy about asking you for a tip for his singing.

The singer man is also the guy you have to pay for your boat ride.

When he asked me to tip his singing, I told him I was hard of hearing so I didn't get my moneys worth. :)

You have four choices of how to get to town. Walk, all uphill, free. Donkey $5, Horse $5, Truck $8

I go by......when in Rome

Evidently they don't trust you with the burro so they send a guide with you. Mine is 10 year old Alfonso.

Once you get to town you must first check in with the Consulate. It takes about fifteen minutes to fill out the 7day visa you are only going to use for a couple of hours. After that my guide took me to this restaurant.

He sat down and was going to patiently wait for me to order, get my food and eat. I asked him if he was hungry. I thought I would get him a taco.

I took this pic from our table

Then he lead me out to where I could get some better shots.

Not sure why so many buildings get abandoned. Looks like an easy fixer upper to me.

The river take a big bend here and is quite scenic

He told me this is the water department and treatment building. I don't know for sure.

More horses and mules used for transportation than vehicles

Alfonso, he is kind of growing on me.

A good businessman

Nice whirly bird

My chicken enchiladas

I guess he wanted more than a taco

Next stop, he took me to a bar

Failed businesses across from the bar. The red one was a bar.

If you need to go somewhere, you take the horse.

More tourist, but their guide was older

They have recently gotten electricity. Solar, check out the street lights.

A look inside their church, no extravagance here.

solar powered street light

Mule pen

Part of the city on a lower level. I think only residential down there.

The local school house

They are out for holy week. It is actually two weeks and sort of like our spring break.

Inside the class room

This is the new solar plant for the city electricity.

My guide took me to his house and this is his dog. Of all things, a Mexican Chihuahua.

Then he opens the door to his house and startles his mom.

He invites me in and starts showing me through every room in the house. Introduces me to his sister Annbella, and his two brothers Aldo, and Alonzo.

He was very proud of the place.

And I can see why he would be

The tour over, we head back to our ride.

He took a couple pics of me on my mount

John  Wayne, eat your heart out!

I think someone thought it might be easier to just walk back. 

I tipped him $20. One of the older guys asked me if he was a good guide. I said yes......then added Mi amigo por vida. Little Alfonso got a big smile and shook his head yes.

Like these flowers on the walk back to the border crossing.

The rest of today's pics are taken on the fly while leaving Big Bend NP and riding to Sanderson, TX