The views are expansive along the entire South Rim.

 

 

 

 

The Sierra Quemada is a ring of mountains that many geologists believe was once a volcanic caldera.  (source)

 

 

 

 

Everything about Big Bend is big.  Wide … open … spaces … 

Theresa enjoys a view of Mariscal Mountain, the tall ridge in the background the runs south to the Mexico border.

   

 

 

 

A spiny lizard plays peek-a-boo!

 

 

 

 

This was one of the prettiest meadows we’ve ever seen.  Its tall, wispy, multi-colored grass swayed in waves with the wind.

 

 

 

 

Boot Rock is an “erosional remnant, a surviving portion of what was once probably a dike cutting through the Chisos Formation.”  (source)

 

 

 

  

The Chisos Basin sits in the center of Big Bend National Park ringed by massive cliffs.  This is where you will find the only restaurant and lodging within the entire park.  There is also a National Park Visitor Center and camper’s store.  The Chisos Mountains Lodge sits below a “small” spire.

 

 

 

 

Casa Grande Peak rises high above the Pinnacles Trail.  You can see it from the other side on the Lost Mine Trail.

 

 

 

 

A half moon rises above a bluff.

 

 

 

 

Three little pigs went to the market…

Peccaries (also known as javelinas) are medium-sized mammals that strongly resemble pigs, but they are not pigs.  Peccaries are found in the southwestern area of North America (including Big Bend National Park) and throughout Central and South America.  Adult peccaries measure between 3 to 4-1/2 feet long and can weigh 45 to 90 pounds.  Peccaries are omnivores and will eat small animals, though their preferred food is roots, grass, seeds and fruit.  Peccaries can be aggressive and attack humans frequently enough that they are unsuitable for domestication, but they tend to run freely in the park.  (wiki)

 

 

 

 

Theresa enjoys the South Rim panorama.

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