Texas Big

Exploring new territory is normally exciting and this trip was no exception. Having visited Texas numerous times before to see friends, family and sporting events gave the impression that the state is a great place with great people and great cities that are actually not too far apart. This trip though, was all about reaching the outer limits of a state that is much more vast and impressive than most people, maybe even some of the Texans, themselves realize. It required some planning to initiate a strategy that would pull this undertaking off without incident. If it weren't for a couple of people that provided invaluable information, this exploration may have never come to fruition. I owe a debt of gratitude to these people and am forever grateful that I was introduced to such an awe-inspiring region of Texas.

Leaving Michigan late one evening, we would arrive in Texarkana the next day and eventually settle in the Dallas area for a day before setting out on the long drive to our intended destination, the southwestern part of Texas. After driving nearly nine hours, we arrived in the Big Bend territory. That evening we talked to locals, reviewed our notes and started to circle the map with our priority list. Waking up early the next morning was quite the eye-opener. The mountains and surroundings were beyond describable and at times so was the near one hundred and ten degree temperatures. In the end we had developed a new found respect for Big Bend National Park and Big Bend State Park. Even after nearly a week of vigorous effort, we would only scratch the surface of this near boundless territory.

Throughout the travels to and from southwest Texas, stops would consist of Brazos Bend State Park, The Alamo and the Swamps of Louisiana. Travel has always been an important form of education for our family and this experience was definitely no exception.