Big Bend National Park (Southern Tier)

[stealthdachshund]

We get to the gate of Big Bend, and the grumpiest staff-person I've ever met says 'Park's Full" and it's 60 miles back to Alpine TX, and we're tired. But then he says "If you go to the National Park Service Office, you might get a back-country pass, but they're not supposed to give them out anymore"

So hearts in hand, and water bottles rattling in the cages, we head for the National Park Service Office. And the amazing lady there, Annette, gets us a pass for Zone 112 of the Big Bend National Park and we camp there in the full moon and it's about the most beautiful thing we've ever seen.

So.  I wrote a song.

"Annette of the NPS,
You saved us from homelessness
Your auburn hair,
your charm, so rare,
Annette of the NPS.

Annette of the NPS,
You relieved our hopelessness,
Larry at the gate,
said we were too late,
We knew we were in a mess

Annette of the NPS,
Docent of helpfulness
You found us a site
in the Chihuahua night,
A vista of loveliness

Annette of the NPS,
Our love for you we profess
Though we may wander
of no one we're fonder,
than Annette of the NPS."

[John Nettles]

NIce.  You don't say which direction but if you are headed west, be sure to take the River road toward Presidio, TX, then north to Marfa and Fort Davis.  Much nicer.  Tailwinds, John

[stealthdachshund]

We were headed East, on this one, and we missed Marfa... but I'll be back. That place sounds too neat to miss!

[BikeliciousBabe]

Sounds like a compelling case for hiker/biker sites.

[Saara Snow]

Hi @Stealthdaschshund,

I work in the Advocacy department at Adventure Cycling and I'm interested in reaching out to Big Bend NP about this. Would you be willing to write up a more detailed account of your experience for me to share with them (email to advocacy@adventurecycling.org)? By 'park is full' did Larry mean that all of the campgrounds were full, or does the park have a cap on visitors?

Also your song made my day!

Thanks,
Saara

[TCS]

BBNP typically makes the lists of the least visited National Parks & Monuments.  It's packed Thanksgiving, Christmas-New Years and the spring break season (when the desert is blooming), but otherwise pretty empty.

Great birding and stargazing, BTW.

[BikeliciousBabe]

Hi @Stealthdaschshund,

You spelled his user name incorrectly (there should not be an "s" before the "c"), so he might not see your post.