Truly, truly ... today was the perfect day. Water, sun, scenery, exercise, unique / awesome experiences. Diane and Andy, THANK YOU, for saying we *had* to visit Big Bend. I wrote on our calendar on the square for March 30 ... "Perfect Day." It just doesn't get any better than this. We took 78 pictures. We didn't get home till after 8. I'm going to have to divide this into 2 posts!

We had a relaxing morning because we needed to move to a different site, and we couldn't do that till 11. We got moved, plugged into electric so we could leave the air conditioning on for Odie - then took off to see Big Bend National Park. First stop, the visitor center, surrounded by pristine Chihuahuan desert.



We needed to stop at the visitor center to get a permit to go kayaking. Bill and Susan had offered to help us shuttle cars so we could float down the river on some determined stretch, but we couldn't find any put-in/take-out spots that would work. We decided to try our luck with paddling upstream for a while at Santa Elena canyon, then just turning around and floating back. The folks at the visitor center said, 'yeah, you can do that' and issued us a permit. Off we went. Look very carefully at this picture and you'll see a canyon cut out of the rock wall in the distance. The left side of the canyon is Mexico and the right side is the United States. That's where we're headed.



We're getting closer ...





Getting ready to put in.



The current started off very slow, it was pretty easy to paddle upstream. Can you see Jim's itsy-bitsy kayak in this colossal canyon?



I can't take *all* the pictures and prove that I was there now can I?



Here's Jim - touching Mexico! We were told in no uncertain terms that we could *not* get out of the kayaks on the Mexico side. Well, actually we *could* get out if we really wanted to, but then we would not be allowed to return to the US. The rules have gotten a LOT stricter since 9/11. Before then, visitors to Big Bend could wade over to Mexico, have a taco and a cerveza (not in this spot, of course, but at other places like Boquilla) and wade back. Not so today.



The current is getting a little stronger here. We got our exercise.



The river guides kindly informed us that we were going the wrong way!



We were starting to get a little tired at this point. So we pulled the kayaks onto a sandbar and took a little rest.



I just want to see the view around one...more...bend!


OK, now we can turn around and float ...



Look up at the sky ...



And reflect ...



... on how lucky we are to be able to do this ... how exquisitely beautiful the world can be. One beauty you can't see is sound. This massive place is
...
silent.
The silence permeates you to the point of being almost spiritual. This was one time, I told Jim, that I was so glad he doesn't talk much. (usually I complain that we don't have enough conversation!) The only sound, other than your paddle in the water - which we didn't do on the way back, was the occasional bird song. No opera has ever sounded as sweet.

more tomorrow ...

OK, I take back what I said yesterday about the kayaks. :) Looks like they were just the thing for today for sure. Here's an idea- selling a .zip file or two of full resolution photos. Something to consider. You could even put your logo in the corner.

I would absolutely like to have a half-dozen of your images.

Memories! I'm so jealous. Maybe Andy and I will have to take off on the road again...so maybe we won't be here when you arrive in FL. Ha!

Are there two-person kayaks available? You've convinced me that having one would be a big plus, but my wife's back problem would prevent her from any vigorous paddling. Great pictures. I keep adding to my "some day" list with each of your adventures.

Wow - fantastic pictures!!. and your comments were great for this set. For a moment I was trying to imagine it (the peace of absolute silence in the middle of such a massive place), while watching you guys float down stream with only the current at your back, but then the sound coming from my computer fan unfortunately reminded me no such peace yet for those of us who are traveling by way of your blog. Have fun!! On the bright side - I'm getting ready to take the kayak out to go DIVE!!! :))