Big Bend Natl Park on March 6-8

**spidennis** · 02-22-2010, 21:41

well, ahhhh, I don't know right now. I'm really bummed about the water levels. If I had a white water boat it would be all too different, maybe. since I am usually solo I'd like milder conditions for safety sake. all the wind has been taken out of my sails so to speak. I know that there is plenty else to do but kayaking was really big on my adventure list. Besides, there is another kayaking trip down the colorado river from austin texas that is also on my radar. Another group was planned to do the bb rio grande run but they also cancelled out and are doing the colorado instead. This is a pretty serious trip, 7 -10 days and I was wondering how I was going to somehow afford (in all ways) all three trips in such a short time. and to top it all off, I have a thread of a muscle in my shoulder that has been bothering me that I really wanted to let rest some. soooooooo, am I going? we'll have to see. I will plan on leaving early saturday morning for the concho enduro and see what happens during the week.

**Hedcase** · 02-23-2010, 09:15

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

Hedcase, was your weekend extension approved? How long will you be staying?

Mac, I'm doing a few improvements to one of my shops, contractors gonna be starting about the time I'm coming back. Sooo I doubt I'll be able to stay an extra day. Gonna be just the wknd for me!!

**MacEntyre** · 02-24-2010, 10:17

I've been studying some of the forums where Big Bend is discussed... found this wonderful collection of pictures of night skies in the USA, mostly out west. I don't think any of the pictures are from Big Bend, but this kind of night sky is certainly to be found there!

Here's three of my favorites, Joshua Tree Natl Park in the snow, Mars with a nighttime 'fog bow' from Hawaii, and a composite of the Winter Solstice in SoCal:

**KerMegan** · 02-24-2010, 10:27

I can heartily recommend "astronomy Photo of the day"- put up every a.m. by NASA; which naturally has access to all the best Hubble stuff...KM

**Hedcase** · 02-24-2010, 11:26

Hey Mac, Whats our itinerary look like for the Backpacking leg of the trip?

**MacEntyre** · 02-24-2010, 11:40

Originally Posted by Hedcase

Hey Mac, Whats our itinerary look like for the Backpacking leg of the trip?

That's what we'll be doing while you are there... we'll caravan from Jackson and head for the Chisos.

**Hedcase** · 02-24-2010, 11:45

Sounds great Mac, I'm Ready to go!!! I really excited to see some Southwest scenery!!! Almost a week till we leave, counting down!

**skippy** · 02-24-2010, 20:41

I am so ready to go! are we still planning on driving straight thru to BB. I will be busy this weekend getting everything together. I bought me a new digital Nikon for the trip

**MacEntyre** · 02-24-2010, 21:20

Originally Posted by skippy

I am so ready to go!

So am I! If I weren't waiting on a Yamaha headlight, I'd be ready already!

Originally Posted by skippy

are we still planning on driving straight thru to BB.

It's 4.5 hrs from Oneonta to Jackson, and 18 hours from Jackson to Big Bend. I'm willing to drive non-stop, but only if you and Hedcase are also willing. Three drivers and two cars makes for long watches. Two hours a-truckin', two hours a-Jeepin', two hours of a-sleepin', repeat.

If we leave Jackson at 4pm on Thursday, non-stop gets us to Big Bend at 2:30pm on Friday. That gives us a 3.5 hours leeway. Panther Junction Visitor Center, where we must get permits for Chisos, closes at 6pm.

We can always stop and do a stealth hang for a couple of hours if driving gets hairy.

This evening, Hogn8r told me he doesn't think he will be able to make it to Big Bend. He asked that we call him when we go through Austin, so he can meet us for a mug-up. Trouble is, going through Austin is 125 miles longer than going through Odessa. Perhaps Brett and I can visit Hogn8r on the way back.

Originally Posted by skippy

I bought me a new digital Nikon for the trip

We need to look at this trip as a movie production. I got two pair of memory cards, and three batteries, for my Olumpus Tough 6000. Maybe I should bring my laptop so I can free up memory cards. I warned Hawk-eye today that I'll be returning driectly to his house to learn how to edit movies.

**Hedcase** · 02-25-2010, 12:13

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

If we leave Jackson at 4pm on Thursday, non-stop gets us to Big Bend at 2:30pm on Friday. That gives us a 3.5 hours leeway. Panther Junction Visitor Center, where we must get permits for Chisos, closes at 6pm.

Hey Mac, 18 hours from Jackson gets us there @ 10 AM!! Check my Math on this one for me!!! That gives us plenty of time, however on the BB website, they are already talking about the spring break crowds. I say the quicker we get there the better! Lets guerilla charge this drive and get there!!!