2011 Road Trip * BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK

We decided to see the State Park because the National Park had very tight restrictions on pets. They weren't allowed on any trails and couldn't be left in vehicles. When we travel with the pups they usually hang out in the car when it's cool enough. When we camp, they sleep in the car because Scratch is a HUGE bed hog & Sunny thinks it's play time when we are all in the tent. Everyone sleeps better when the pups are regulated to the Xterra at bedtime.

The National Park was also having fire restrictions. As in we couldn't have one. At all. We camp to have fires. While we have a camp stove that is propane run, we prefer to cook over the fire.

The State Park has potable water in only a few areas. Most of the camp sites are primitive. With two humans and two canines we can go through water pretty quickly so we decided to stay one night. There was really high winds and the air was very dry. The moisture was seemingly sucked right out of our skin. We both had cracks in our hands and the pups had dry paws. It was incredible how dry and windy it was. David enjoyed the drive to the site. It was rough and patchy and 4*4 was recommended. Our Xterra doesn't have a 4*4 package because it was less expensive (purchase price and gas mileage) and we didn't think we'd use it all that much. We did fine though since everything was so dry!

Hiking was fun because we were the only campers in the area. We hiked quite a bit over rough patches and dry river beds.


More pictures can be seen here