RichardM's first trip to Big Bend, July 1968

[RichardM]

In July 1968, my family loaded up the station wagon and embarked on a road trip to see West Texas. I was 3 at the time, and my sister and brother were 5 and 7. We left from Austin and stopped off at the Alamo Village outside of Bracketville before heading down to Del Rio for the night. We crossed over to Ciudad Acuña for some curios.



After leaving Del Rio, we stopped at the Pecos River overlook.


Up next was the Jersey Lilly at the Judge Roy Bean Museum in Langtry.


Finally, Big Bend!!! The view from the lodge towards the window.


Brian modelling his cowboy hat from Mexico.


Angela outside the lodge room.


Boquillas Canyon


Throwing rocks over into Mexico.


The sand slide. That's Brian and Dad up at the top with Angela looking on. I was over in the shade under the bush, pouting because I was "too young" and wasn't allowed to do the sand slide. I punished Dad by making him carry me out of the canyon on his shoulders. Keep in mind this was in July, so it was a bit warm.


The A/C in our station wagon went out on the way to Santa Elena Canyon, so maybe that explains the lack of pictures from there. We then hit the road for Van Horn, arriving just after a tornado had blown threw town. We stopped by Guadalupe Mountains National Park on the way to Carlsbad before heading back to Austin to conclude the road trip.


This may have been from the next summer, but I just have to put it in because of my Mom's hair. She had this rainbow colored polyester hair cover/net she used to wear to cover the curlers. This picture doesn't do it justice, but it'll have to do. This was from the La Bahia Mission in Goliad, I believe.

[rauburg]

Cool pictures. I am really glad that you shared them and the bring back memories of some of my family trips.

Randy

[dkerr24]

Richard - thanks for sharing the 'ol photos.  In some ways, BIBE really hasn't changed much since 1968.  Are the 3 of you standing on that porch just outside of the restaurant in the Basin?

Darin 

[Hoodoo]

After leaving Del Rio, we stopped at the Pecos River overlook.

Very Cool Richard! At 3 years old you may not remember much but these photos are memories forever! 

You can still see the remnants of the low water crossing in the Pecos overlook photo. Amistad dam was not built until 1969, so this pic shows the Pecos river level before the reservoir was impounded.

Thanks!

Don

[RichardM]

Cool pictures. I am really glad that you shared them and the bring back memories of some of my family trips.

I just wish I could find more. My folks didn't take many pictures back then.

Richard - thanks for sharing the 'ol photos.  In some ways, BIBE really hasn't changed much since 1968.  Are the 3 of you standing on that porch just outside of the restaurant in the Basin?

That's my guess.

Cool! West Texas road trip in the family wagon, forever memories. You probably remember my BBC essay re our three week road trip in the VW Pop-Top in 1978, me and five kids 8-14; the Frio River, Balmoreah, Big Bend, GUMO, and Carlsbad.

Yup, remember it well. Mom wasn't too thrilled with the second half of our trip without the A/C. That probably helped shape the nature of our future vacations and explained why we didn't go back to Big Bend for far too long. You'd think a country girl who grew up in NorthWest Texas on a cotton farm could have handled the heat a little better. Or maybe it was too much whining from a certain 3 year old. 

Very Cool Richard! At 3 years old you may not remember much but these photos are memories forever! 

You can still see the remnants of the low water crossing in the Pecos overlook photo. Amistad dam was not built until 1969, so this pic shows the Pecos river level before the reservoir was impounded.

About the only things I remember from this trip is not getting to do the sand slide and going to Carlsbad Cavern.

[Al]

Richard, I can't believe I missed this report.  Wonderful!  An incredibly well photographed trip particularly for the '60s!  What are the most striking memories you have of the trip at 3?!

Thanks.
Al

[RichardM]

About the only things I remember from this trip is not getting to do the sand slide and going to Carlsbad Cavern.

Richard, I can't believe I missed this report.  Wonderful!  An incredibly well photographed trip particularly for the '60s!  What are the most striking memories you have of the trip at 3?!

I remember Boquillas Canyon and that it was hot. Mostly I remember not being allowed to do the sand slide. Can't recall anything else from that trip.

[Al]

Sorry for the already answered question but its pretty amazing that you can remember anything from the trip!

Al

[homerboy2u]

Richard, I can't believe I missed this report.  Wonderful!  An incredibly well photographed trip particularly for the '60s!  What are the most striking memories you have of the trip at 3?!

I remember Boquillas Canyon and that it was hot. Mostly I remember not being allowed to do the sand slide. Can't recall anything else from that trip.

 Talk about Circa 1968.....A kindergarden friend of mine, had his Birthday back in October. Days before this, he was sharing with me that one thing he missed a lot was the fact the way way back then, when we were kids, he always wanted to have the full Collection of The Hall of Justice Action figures, like i did. His father was so tied up being an adult, he never gave him the little plastic Superman's, Batman's the wholeaction figures (not that he was a bad father. not at all). I inmediatelly set out to start searching for those figurines. Specially Aquaman...his confessed favorite. Well i got'em all on Ebay...where else?. Well since then, he just can't put them down, when he has time for himself in his home.....

  The point is, the message for us all is: You can not allow yourself to  hold back from a chilhood dream....you gotta go back and do the Sand slide in Boquillas Canyon as many times as you like, with your daughter. Maybe you have already done that....lots of times, but this message goes out for the rest of us, who still have childhood dreams to live. Probably everybody, I'm sure...Just Go!!!

 Wonderful pictures, Richard.....brings back a lot of my childhood memories form other trips, of course.

  And yes, if you go and check out Big Bend and the area in July...it will be scorching. Hence, you Mother reluctance to return.

Sorry for the already answered question but its pretty amazing that you can remember anything from the trip!

Al

 And Al, my conscious memory goes back when i was 2 years and on. Believe it or not.

[Al]

I may remember something from that age but I really don't know.  My wife does but then she is much much smarter than I!

Al

[SA Bill]

Heck! I can't remember what I had for lunch...or what day of the week it is.


What were we talking about? 
   Bill

[homerboy2u]

Heck! I can't remember what I had for lunch...or what day of the week it is.


What were we talking about? 
   Bill

 You know, the usual.....Boquillas, the quilts, tiny tacos for lunch...thining of the blood. Go back to sleep.

 Buenas Noches.... 

[randell]

AWESOME!  This is one of the coolest things you have ever posted!