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Chisos, Texas

Sneaking back into the USA by swimming through the Rio Grande

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Exploring the Big Bend National Park  – Travel log no. 20

We started the day pretty early at 7 am. We drove out to the hot springs to take a bath. The water of the hot springs is 105 F (40.5 C). It was super relaxing. To cool down I took a bath in the Rio Grande and swam over to Mexico and migrated back to the USA. It is actually pretty easy. No wonder that Trump wants to build a wall.

Hot Springs, Texas, USA
Hot Springs, Big Bend National Park. In the back you see the Rio Grande and Mexico.

Afterwards my host Manu and I drove off to climb the Emory Peak with it’s 7825 feet (2385 m) elevation. The sun and heat made it a challenge but the view was worth the effort. From the Peak you can get a good feeling for the whole dimensions of the park.

Emory Peak, Texas, USA
View from the Emory Peak. You have a good overlook of the whole park, but you shouldn’t be afraid of heights.

After 6 hours of hiking we drove off to see the Santa Elena Canyon. The distances in the park are huge. It took us 1 hour to drive over there. But the rough beauty of the park it just amazing. It is one of my favorite deserts!

When we arrived Manu went off to sleep and I explored the canyon.

Santa Elena Canyon.
The Santa Elena Canyon. You really feel small when climbing into it. On the left side of the Rio Grande is Mexico on the right is the USA.

We drove back to the cabin afterwards watched the sunset from the patio over some beer and pasta.

Sun set Big Bend National Park.
Watching the sunset from the patio. The view is just amazing and magical.

After taking a sun shower. Which is essentially just a bag fixed on the roof of the house. We drove off to the Ghost town to get some beers and live music. We met some really nice people and it feels already hard to leave the park tomorrow.

I really recommend you to go and see the park soon. Since there might be a huge Wall planted through it soon. Or you come and see your tax money put to some good use. I think the mountains itself are already high enough, but this is only my opinion.

It will be hard to leave this place, but I am excited to meet up with my sister and Erik in New Mexico.

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