Date:         Wed, 17 Mar 1999 07:54:21 -0500
Reply-To:     Mark Gajewski <mgajewski@MANVILLERUBBER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Gajewski <mgajewski@MANVILLERUBBER.COM>
Organization: Manville Rubber Products
Subject:      Re: Southwest advice
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Ian Cameron wrote:

> Texas.  There must be SOMETHING in a state that's almost 1/4 the size of B.C.!!


Big Bend Nat'l Park is spectacular as are the Guadalupe Mtns.  The relatively high
elevations mean you can hike up into lovely, coolish pine forests and get vistas of
desert far as the eye can see.  Also, due to the remoteness of both parks, they are
relatively uncrowded compared to say Bryce/Zion/Arches which are close enough to
Las Vegas to get travelers out for the week.  If you like back packing, Big Bend
and Guadalupe are great - esp. Guadalupe which has no road going through it...the
road just skirts the edge of the park.  The drive is also beautiful in a stark,
empty sort of way.  The desert can be a very peaceful, spiritual place if you are
into that sort of thing.  If nothing else it is very unique and everyone should
immerse themselves in it at some point.  It is a very big part of this country.
Read Abbey's Desert Solitaire to get some appreciation.  At times the scenery is so
large and empty it is difficult to see your progress...the mountain range your
heading for doesn't seem to get any closer, the range to your left has the same
repeating features so you can't judge movement from that...it's pretty cool.  Also,
if you make it down to Big Bend you get to go to Marfa, the UFO capital.  You could
spend a few nights camped in the desert waiting for the elusive Marfa Lights to
appear ;-)

As for anything East of San Antonio (see the Alamo and let me know if you can
figure out why this has become a national shrine) drive as fast as you can.  Also,
skip the pan handle and anything near it!

Mark