tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955094874112299980.post2551280247892996076..comments2023-08-05T08:23:02.621-07:00Comments on National Park Blog: National Park Week, Wish ListUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955094874112299980.post-33193495964946519062013-04-23T04:51:45.624-07:002013-04-23T04:51:45.624-07:002 out of your 10 isnt bad for me!
Joshua Tree was...2 out of your 10 isnt bad for me!<br /><br />Joshua Tree was surreal and seemed forgotten by our instant info/tech world we live in today. The sunsets were amazing for such a distinct landscape.<br /><br />You are right on with the journey to Big Bend. My better half and I set out towards the high plains of Texas from San Antonio around 5pm. Thunder clouds were gathering around Sonora. If you have ever experienced a Texas monsoon you are well aware that driving in one is not smart. Its best to find an overpass and wait for the wall of water to pass.<br /><br />Reaching Ft. Stockton in 5 hours instead of the usual 3 1/2 we turned due south headed for the Big Bend entry gate. Completely missing the iconic Texas town of Marathon around 10pm we were greeted by the armada of wildlife!<br /><br />Just passed Marathon it was like we had driven onto the Galaga battlefield with only 1 life for the beginning stage!<br /><br />Javelina, bats, huge dinosaur like flying bugs smashing our windshield and the occasional mountain lion staring down our headlights was more than I expected. The deer springing out of the cactus were like the velociraptor scene in Jurassic Park!<br /><br />A measly 25 miles an hour once we reached the entry gate was all I could muster trying to avoid bumping some endangered species or protected predator.<br /><br />We made camp under the most beautiful canopy of bright shining stars I have ever seen. The dark of night was not black - it was a deep purple. We were serenaded by the Western Screech and Mexican Whippoorwill at 1am.<br /><br />3 days of hiking the Chisos' Emory Peak, The Window and the South Rim was well worth the journey.<br /><br />The breakfast on the last day at The Lodge had the thickest, savory gravy for biscuits that was better than my grandma's!<br /><br />Hope to read more of your experiences on your blog. Brandi Jo Newmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10594173983480053571noreply@blogger.com