The Rio Grande River forms part of the border between the United States and Mexico.  The Rio Grande is 1,885 miles (3,034 km) long, making it the fourth-longest river system in the United States.  (wiki)

The Rio Grande valley is lush and green.  The United States is in the foreground; Mexico is on the far side of the river.

 

 

 

 

There’s a big bend (pun intended) in the Rio Grande River just before it enters Boquillas Canyon (to the left of this view).

 

 

 

 

This was the only chilly day on our trip to Big Bend.  The wind was very strong — in excess of 40 mph for much of the day — and blew sand in our eyes.

 

 

 

 

These are mortar holes carved into the rock by prehistoric people to grind seeds and roots.  Mortar holes are found near reliable water sources throughout Big Bend National Park.  Their age is unknown.

 

 

 

 

The Rio Grande River is very muddy and still warm in late October.

 

 

 

 

The swirling eddies are mesmerizing.

 

 

 

 

 

The Rio Grande flows east into Boquillas Canyon on its way to the Gulf of Mexico.  Boquillas means “little mouths” in Spanish, perhaps named after the narrow entrance into the canyon.

 

 

 

 

Hikers may explore Boquillas Canyon on foot during low water levels, but a boat is required most of the year.

 

 

 

 

The limestone cliffs tower over Boquillas Canyon for nearly 36 miles.

 

 

 

 

The mountains on the Mexican side of the river are part of the Maderas Del Carmen Protected Area.

 

 

 

 

Although it looks small in this photo, that’s a 10-story sand slide formed by the prevailing winds blowing sand up the canyon wall from the Rio Grande.  It took all my strength to climb to the top of the slide, as the soft sand would collapse beneath my every step.  It’s a practical demonstration of the “two steps forward, one step back” theory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking down at Theresa from the top of the sand slide.

 

 

 

 

There is lots of pretty vegetation on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande.

 

 

 

 

Nestled in the mountains is the Rio Grande Tunnel, the first tunnel built in the state of Texas and the only tunnel located in Big Bend National Park.  The tunnel was built in 1959 to eliminate a dangerous stretch of road known as “Dead Man’s Curve.”

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