| A Diamond in the Rough by Jan Forte' of
Big
Bend River Tours, Terlingua, Texas
Are you looking for an adventure that you'll
remember forever...something unlike anything else? Is solitude
high on the list of priorities and what about natural beauty
without masses of people? Then you just might want to head on down
to the Texas Big Bend Country and try out a canoe trip on the Rio
Grande. You can choose between a fully outfitted and guided trip
or if you're more adventuresome you can rent the equipment and
shuttle and go it on your own.
Unlike most National Parks, Big Bend gets just
over 300,000 visitors a year. In the park you can walk in any
direction for 5 minutes and experience complete solitude or travel
the river by canoe or raft in one of the scenic canyons without
seeing anyone. Camping out riverside at night near a babbling
rapid and sleeping out underneath a canopy of some of the
brightest stars you've ever seen can become addictive to those
seeking the ultimate adventure. Many people return year after year
to get their Big Bend "fix"...
Big Bend National Park has long been
under-publicized, under-populated and unspoiled by man. The Rio
Grande forms the southern border between America and Mexico and
only 3% of the visitors to the park "do" the river....which means
you'll have plenty of peace and quiet. Plenty of time to commune
with nature and as much solitude as you can stand.
The river stretches nearly 300 miles along the
State and National Park Boundaries and is protected from any
development. The canyons of the Rio Grande are some of the most
spectacular to be seen in North America. Santa Elena offers up
limestone walls that rise from the rivers edge to a height of
1500- feet. Mariscal Canyon requires a trip along the gravel River
Road past the old abandoned Mariscal mine where cinnabar was once
mined. The canyon itself was home to a hermit who lived in a cave
by the river with only the statues of St. Francis of Assisi and
Budda for companions. Boquillas Canyon, a three to five day river
journey abounds in side canyons for hiking and exploring, wildlife
is everywhere and on most sections during any month other than
March and April you'll find yourself totally alone with the sounds
of nature. The Lower Canyons, being the most remote, is also the
least traveled of all. Traveling 87 miles through various canyons
can be a life changing sojourn. You'll never be the same again!!!
Some people come for a day or two and some come
for a week or two. There's plenty to see and do in the area with
hiking, horseback riding , jeep tours, park tours and of course,
canoe and raft trips on the Rio Grande. Big Bend is truly a
diamond in the rough...and all who live here pray that it stays
pretty much as is in the future. This is a timeless place where
rainbows wait for the rain, the water is held in a big stone box
and where mountains go away at night to play with the brightest
stars in the Lone Star State. Come and discover the MAGIC that is
here, whether on the trails, in the mountains or paddling the
river. There's enough solitude to soothe your soul and it will
truly delight the child within!!!
For More Information, go to
http://www.bigbendrivertours.com
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