Today started out as a dreary morning. Rain was in the forecast for the entire day, which makes it especially difficult to traverse some of the rocky terrain in central Texas. As I found enough cell service to check the weather, I noticed that my next big stop, near the Mexico border, was free of any rain on the radar. I made up my mind to get out of my camp spot at Colorado Bend, and head to Seminole Canyon SP, a 4.5 hour drive. Weather was shitty, so I didn’t feel bad skipping out on my last planned hike for Colorado Bend. Plus the fog was so dense, I wouldn’t have seen shit anyway. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. As I start my drive west and south, I pass more cows that countable. Gas stations are sparse, and the terrain is slowly changing to desert.
Driving along the border provides its own surprises. Two border patrol check stations were on my route. They take flash photos of your face and of your car. When I got up to an agent that seemed nice, I asked why the photos, and why the check points on American roads. He explained that illegal immigrants will grasp onto passing semis and cars parked getting gas, trying to get more interior. He also gave me some recommendations of where to eat in town. I suppose I seem to be no threat. As I’m driving to my next stop, I start to doubt why I made such a large jaunt south just to see one area. Maybe I should just follow the herd and go straight to Big Bend NP. But, already having made a reservation, I stay the course. Hell if I give up $18!
As soon as I pull into the park, my doubts quickly subside. This place has some amazing vistas and really ancient petroglyphs. I get in at 2, and sign up for the 3 o’clock tour. Feeling pretty lucky at this point! After checking out my campsite, and realizing it’s absolutely perfect, I start the mile hike down to where the tour starts. No point in wasting gas if I can get some steps in. A quarter of the way in, a park volunteer stops her truck and tells me to hop in. She’s the tour guide, and feels bad for me walking. I tell her she’s going to make me lazy! The tour starts at 3. The only reason I did a tour was due to the fact that you are not allowed in the areas where the cave paintings are without a tour. Too much vandalism. People suck. We already know this.
Hairy Centipede maybe? 
Ancient dance party
The petroglyphs range in age from 4,000 to 8,000 years old, and are beyond words for descriptions. I’ll just show you some photos I took. I felt like a legit tourist today, and I give zero shits about it. After the tour, I head back to camp and watch the sun fade away. Desert sunsets cannot be captured in photos. Actually, none of this landscape is photogenic. The vastness, openness, strong breeze, and constant bird chatter is beyond what my Olympus TG5 can handle.
