The dawn of the last full day at Big Bend and Rio Grande Village.
We were able to add a new bird to our "life list". This is a vermilion flycatcher.
We got up early in the morning for an easy hike up the Boquillas Canyon before it got too hot.
As you can tell from the parking lot it wasn't too crowded.
The rocks appear to bear the forms of ancient sea creatures.
A shrimp?
Boquillas in the distance
How many years were mesquite seeds ground by mortar and pestle here?
A rowboat on the opposite shore.
A ranch in Mexico with horses grazing.
Sotol: a walking stick in the making.
Speaking of walking sticks . . .
I should have taken my "high tech" sticks as I was a little wimpy that day. As luck would have it just as we came down a more treacherous part of the path, a thoughtful Mexican citizen had set up a little unmanned shop.
There were also a few more of the beaded items plus a milk jug to deposit payment in. I found one that fit my hand so I now have a new "low tech" decorated walking stick as well.
We were serenaded from the opposite bank.
On our way back down the trail later we found a donation box for "singing Jesus" which had not been there before. Jesus himself appeared along with yet more beaded items. I chose an ocotillo to go with my road runner as I had really wanted one from the start. I gave my gracias for his canción.
Los Caballos y el Caballero: a Drama
Three horses were occupying the gravel ledge on the Mexican side just where the river entered the narrow canyon.
Suddenly they alerted to something.
Perhaps it was to be their turn to carry touristas in Boquillas?
The two more intelligent (or more experienced) horses said "Hell no!" and broke through the fence.
The caballero would need to be satisfied with the dark horse.
"How did they get through here?" Not the most intelligent of horses.
"Oh heck, I'll just go around it."
Mending the fence after the fact.
"Hey guys, wait up!"
The three horses swam up river through the canyon.
They were followed by their caballero. We did not see them again.
We do not know which side of the river (US or Mexico) the horses later found refuge on. And just a note for those who think that Mexico should be in charge of the "fence building". Ummm . . .
Look Dora: fresh mesquite pods.
Another drama played out during our hike. The winds coming down the canyon against the current of the river are fierce. We met a kayaker who had tried for a day to paddle against the wind and had given up. He hoped that we could take him to where his wife was waiting on the other side of the canyon. In the jeep with the four of us we would not have room. We later saw a young man helping him carry his kayak up the trail.
When we got back to the parking lot we surmised from the number of hugs and kisses being bestowed that someone had gone and fetched the wife who was waiting for him. A happy ending.
