Early April Trip

[MuleEarMick]

Just decieded to make a run to BBNP in early April during my son's spring break. Leaving Cincinnati area in the evening on the 5th. Return home the 15th in time for Easter. My wife's not ecstatic that I'm leaving her with the other 3 kids, but you all know the "pull" you feel to keep going back to the BB area.

This is my son's first trip west of Kentucky, so I'm trying to put together an iteneary that gives him a good taste of Texas in general and the BB region more specifically. Here's what I've come up with so far.

Stop in Conroe to visit friends.

San Antonio to visit the Alamo via Luling for a BBQ stop at the City Market.

Del Rio with a jaunt over to Acuna for a margarita (soda for the boy) at Mama's something (can't remember the name) 4 or 5 blocks from the crossing.

Possibly a stop for a dip in Amistead.

Visit Judge Beans place.

Arrive in BBNP for 3 or 4 days. Haven't deceided where to camp, but am thinking, hike wise, Pine Canyon, Lost Mine (one of the ones you keep doing to show other people), possibly Apache Canyon. Very tentative at this point. Probably go to the Hot Springs, Castalon area, etc.

Leave BBNP and proceed to BBSRP for a little hike in Closed Canyon to the top of the pour offs. I've hiked this where we brought homemade rope ladders and got to the river. Lots of fun, but leary of doing it without several people to help if something goes wrong.

Take Route 169 to Marfa with a possible truck ride through BBRSP.

From there It depends on time. Probably stop at the Observatory or the Guadalupes and Carlsbad. Then book it home.

Does anyone have any suggestions for things to see or do in Texas that would help make this a great trip for my son along this general route? You know how it is. You want people, especially the people you care about, to love the area as much as you do. Any and all suggestions would be very much appreciated.

[Goldilocks]

That sounds like a fantastic trip!  How old is your son?  It's a difficult choice between Carlsbad and the observatory if you have to pick one over the other.  You didn't mention a rafting trip but I know my 15 year old and 12 year old boys have said that they would like to do one someday.  I hope you have a wonderful, memorable trip with your son.  

[MuleEarMick]

My son is 15. I've been rafting/canoeing for a long time and have included my son on some of the tamer trips in West Virginia, Kentucky & Ohio and hiking in Red River Gorge in Kentucky.

Unless we are at BBNP after a deluge, I never plan on rafting or canoeing. A few years back we canoed Mariscal Canyon and ended up dragging the canoe alot. We got in and out of the canoes at least fifty times. The canyon was beautiful regardless.

Could someone tell me how to quote someone in a reply? I haven't been able to figure it out. I really haven't been much of a chat person.

[BigBendHiker]

Del Rio with a jaunt over to Acuna for a margarita (soda for the boy) at Mama's something (can't remember the name) 4 or 5 blocks from the crossing.

The place you are speaking of is "Crosby's" or as some know it, "Ma Crosby's".  Has a cool bar and great restaurant.  Lots of bumper stickers on the mirror behind the bar from all over the U. S.  Lots of pics of Air Force planes there too...guess the pilots from Laughlin come over there frequently.  George Strait mentioned it in his song "Blame it on Mexico".  On the left on the main street (Hidalgo) as you cross the bridge.  Another good restaurant is Manuel's.  It is one block off Hidalgo.  Very nice restaurant.

To quote someone, just hit the "quote" button on the upper right in their message...

BBH

[SHANEA]

Could someone tell me how to quote someone in a reply? I haven't been able to figure it out. I really haven't been much of a chat person.

Now, that's a haul of a trip from KY!  Should be a great time.  I like the stars and the heavens and the moon, it's so spectacular out in the West Texas Trans Pecos Big Bend Region.  I vote for McDonald Observatory.  If you "time your trip right" they have star parties on certain nights, expanded viewings through bigger telescopes, dinner viewings, etc.
Reservatiosn generally not required for star parties, but for anything else off the Al la carte menu, then you will need reservations.   http://mcdonaldobservatory.org/  Just make dang sure you wear a coat!  

[MuleEarMick]

Thanks Shane & Big Bend Hiker! For some reason, I've never noticed that button. Duh.

Crosby's is a great place. We stopped there once and stayed so long, we ended up getting to BBNP close to midnight. Slept in the truck up in the basin behind the lodge.

[SHANEA]

as you cross the bridge.

What's it like on the Mexican side?  A little more touristy, shops, etc - than Presidio?

[randell]

as you cross the bridge.

What's it like on the Mexican side?  A little more touristy, shops, etc - than Presidio?

Very touristy and very fun.  Lot of underage kids from the surrounding towns go there for the dollar beers and two dollar tequila shots.  Also lots of adults from the surrounding towns.  I used to live in Uvalde and would go there frequently.  The air force people go there a lot too...I used to date one of the hottie air traffic controllers.  It's best to park on the US side and walk or take a cab to the Mexican side.  This way your car is less likely to be stolen.