Continuing where we left off, here is Part Two of my “Big Bend Top Ten” List:

7.  TERLINGUA GHOST TOWN – We met a couple of characters in the Hot Springs who said we should head on over to Terlingua for some good live music and cold beer.   The weather had turned wacky with West Texas winds strong enough to make the Winnie feel like a house about to take off from Kansas, so it was a good day to go for a drive.

From the looks of the streets, not much was happening in the Terlingua Ghost Town, but we followed our senses to find the crowd inside the Starlight Theatre.  Originally built in the 1930’s, the theatre fell into disrepair, and the roofing materials were sold for scrap, ergo the name “Starlight.”   Since this was the original location of the first Terlingua World Championship Chili Cook-off back in 1967, it seemed only fitting that I should honor the tradition with a messy Terlingua Chili Cheeseburger.

Notorious “Starlight Theatre,” 1930s, hope of the first Terlingua World Champion Chili Cook-off in 1967. They make a mean Chili Cheeseburger!

Note the “drum” crafted from an empty suitcase…

Deja Vu — “We have all been here before.”

The old cemetery dates back to the 1900’s when Terlingua was a mercury mining town

Mexican “Day of the Dead” is celebrated here each November 2nd.

6.  CHISOS BASIN – It was mid-week before we ever took the road up to the Chisos Mountains in the center of the park.  We decided to head up one evening to do some reconnaissance to check out the higher elevation campground and surrounding trails.   I was chomping at the bit to get up the mountain, and when we finally reached the turn off, the surrounding views were jaw-dropping.   Having come from the limestone cliffs and cactus covered desert just a few miles behind us, the change in topography was staggering.   We were now amidst jagged mountains covered in juniper and piñon pine.

With sunset nearing, we only had time for the 1.6 mile basin loop trail, but it really gave a good sense of the “basin effect” with 360 degree mountain surround-scenery.  The majesty was overwhelming, as we watched the setting sun cast different hue, light and shadows, changing the painting minute by minute.

The highway leading up to Chisos Mountain area.

Looking down into the Chisos Basin campground. Not recommended for rigs over 25 feet, and even that would be impossible in some of the spaces. But OH that VIEW!

Photographing “Casa Grande” while hiking Chisos Basin Loop Trail

Sunset casts beautiful folds in the rock…

I loved their “etched,” rusty trail marker signs. Very attractive and effective for a trail marking system.

5.  ERNST TINAJA TRAIL – The word “Tinaja” is Spanish for “big earthen jar,” the namesake for this one mile trail.   Immediately after leaving the trail head, the small, intricately carved canyon begins to rise on both sides of the sandy wash.  The limestone layers resemble a mosaic of textures in the walls leading up to the water hole.

This hike just continued to get better, the deeper we hiked into the canyon.   The faulting of the hundreds of layers of limestone has led to some “mind bending” designs in the canyon walls.  This faulting is also believed to be responsible for the small underground spring that keeps the tinaja filled.  Climbing on the layered sandstone up and over the tinaja made this a fun hike.

Ernst Tinaja — “Tinaja” means “earthen jar” of the water hole

Reflections in the watering hole

Ethel looking for “SNAKES!” in the hole made by the contorted layers of limestone

TO BE CONTINUED….