Big Bend Day 5

We had so much fun playing on the Sand Dunes! The kids, except for Samantha who was done once she got sand in her face, had endless energy climbing up, sliding down, building jumps, and doing it all again and again. 

 See Samantha in the back, sitting by herself, with her back to the wind. 

We took a shower to get rid of most of the sand after we played and then loaded up and headed back home! We had Mexican food for dinner since we spent so many hours right by the border or literally staring at Mexico, it seemed only fitting. 

We will definitely make a return trip to both Big Bend and the Sand Dunes. 

Big Bend Day 4

Day 4 greeted with some beautiful colors dancing on the clouds! 

We had to pack up camp and that is always an ordeal. But we got it done and then headed to the park for a last hike and a visit to the Dinosaur Fossil Exhibit. 

 The sky was so very very blue on this day. I hope these pictures will always remind me of the beauty of that day. 

 Our hike was to balanced rock and Joseph really wanted a picture where it looked like he was holding it up. We did pretty well, and this one looks like he is keeping it from smashing the man underneath the rock in the background. 

 It is always really interesting to learn about the landscape so long ago and what types of creatures lived there. 

 And finally, we spent the afternoon driving to Monahans Sand Dune State Park. We minimized the camp we set up by just doing one tent. And as we settled down for the night this was the scene in that one tent- so much reading! 

We all slept really well this night even though it was a bit cold again. 

Big Bend Trip Day 3

 Thanksgiving day was filled with a lot of hiking! We loved seeing the corners of the park. We saw some spectacular views! 

 The Rio Grande has carved some incredible canyons. 

 And here we convinced our kids to cross this little part of the Rio Grande and stay on the US side but be across from the Mexican side. Yes, that is Mexico on the left. 

 I will share some pictures from Peter's camera at the end of the trail. The landscape was so different on the other side of the river. There was bamboo! The funny story of this hike is that Samantha was tired and we had packed some snacks. She wanted a beefstick (jerky stick in he plastic wrapper). So, we gave her one to carry in her pocket and said she could eat it at the end of the trail. She asked a few times along the way if we were there yet, and we said no. I just thought that she was tired and wanting the end to hurry up and get there. Then, we made it and I said, "Samantha, this is it the end." She then exclaimed, "YES! Beefstick!" and quickly pulled her beefstick from her pocket, opened it and started eating joyfully! Peter has taken to calling her Beefstick since and she has answered! 

 This is my favorite picture I took of my favorite people. Samantha is on Joseph's back. It was just a delightful day! 

 Our final hike was filled with a beautiful view of the sunset! And a mark in the rock that looks like a footprint! 

And here is our Thanksgiving feast! We packed the leftovers from our Sunday thanksgiving meal and turned it into a thanksgiving leftover shepherd's pie in the dutch oven. And then we made a pumpkin pie! So yummy after a long day of hiking and sightseeing. 

Big Bend Thanksgiving Trip Day 1 and 2

Tuesday, November 20, I came home from work, showered, helped with the final packing of the car and we were off on a long drive to Big Bend National Park. 

 Finally, after 9 hours of driving we made it to our destination. To our dismay, the campsites were full within in the park. We had done some research in case this happened and so we stayed at a place not far from Big Bend called Stillwell RV park and campground. Our campsite was 1 1/2 miles from the bathroom and there was not another camper in site so we called it primitive camping with all of the self made amenities (if you catch my drift). It was a lovely camp and we all enjoyed ourselves. 

 We had to hurry to set up camp and eat a not so fancy dinner of PB sandwiches. It was a very cold night but we bundled up and snuggled up and managed to get fall asleep while listening to coyotes calling to each other. 

 Wednesday, November 21st, dawned and we were able to celebrate this amazing girl's 10th birthday. I had packed candles to put in the monkey bread she had requested for breakfast. Well, it was still quite hot in that dutch oven and the candles were melting on the bottom and so we quickly pulled them out and let her blow out a single candle. I want to remember that as we sang to her she then paused for just a moment before she blew it out and made a wish. I do not know what she wished for but I pray that all she hopes and wishes for will come to her in this life. 

 Since we arrived near dusk and only approached the entrance of the park where we learned it was full, we did not really get to behold the beauty it held. We started our day with a hike on Window Trail. It was the longest hike we did during our trip and the kids were troopers. It was absolutely lovely weather for hiking. The trail was a bit rough towards the end/destination with water crossings and big stretches between rocks to get across. But we worked together and made it happen. I love watching my family work together, the kids encourage, assist, and applaud one another. I need to be more like them especially when one of them begins to whine or complain, instead of being frustrated I should applaud them for the good they have done and help them to see what they are capable of. 

 We saw a mama bear and her cub just off of the trail. As soon as they heard us coming they were heading deeper in to the brush and further up the mountain.  But, for the rest of the trip we called it Arabella's birthday bears! 

 She posed for me and Peter so many times during the trip. She felt this rock was perfect for her to strike a pose she was asked to do at a recent school photo session. 

 Taking a break at the end of the trail to eat, drink, and enjoy the view before walking back. 

Arabella's dinner of choice was dutch oven ribs. So delicious! We also made camping cannolis.