Big Bend National Park

andy · Post by **andy** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:38 am

Okay, I've called the Big Bend Motor Inn and RV Park.

Their basic rate for one person in a room with two queen beds is:
$92.60 a night. Two people is $ 98.05.

They offer onlly a AAA discount which makes the rates go to $ 83.34 and $ 88.25 for one and two persons respectively.

Another motel across the street called the Mission Lodge (associated with Big Bend Motor Inn and RV Park) only has one queen size bed per room and they only allow two people per room. Something to do with, "That's what the Fire Marshall says."

RV spaces at the Big Bend Motor Inn go for either $ 24.50 a night or $ 27.50 a night depending on how many amps your RV needs.

The tent camping area has coin operated showers available for $ 2.00 for 6 minutes.

The number they gave if you want to call is 1 800 848 2363 and you can find their website by going to www.visitbigbend.com. There are a couple of other places with lodging in Study Butte.

I don't think we all have to stay at the same place if you want something different or better. We just need an agreed upon place to meet for trips and one good place for a general get together.

Andy

pinztx · Post by **pinztx** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:05 am

Sounds good to me. We need to nail down a date.

andy · Post by **andy** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:27 am

RE: Dates for the Big Bend trip.

How about either the 6, 7, 8 June or 13, 14, 15 June weekends? The 13th is a Friday if it matters to anyone.

I'm good for either one, right now, but a concensus thing would be nice.

Andy

mjnims · Post by **mjnims** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:42 am

What are the temp ranges that time of year in Big Bend?

It would be best if all could stay in one place. When the group gets seperated it is difficult to get them to reform. Also remember the group outings should not be all about the trails.

If work allows I would love to get down to the Big Bend event. We are definately going to make the trek up to Colorado in July and of course the SWPA event Oct 9-12th. A couple more dates to put on your calendars.

andy · Post by **andy** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:15 pm

Mike, I'm anticipating temps probably in the 90's with possibly some afternoon T-storms building up in the mountains.
In the Basin, where the Park's motel etc is temps will be quite a bit lower because the altitude there is around 5,000 feet. Down by the river it will be warmer.

I'm hoping that my pre-run will give me some idea of how long the wheeling trip will be. I'm shooting for a 4 to 6 hour trip for no other reason than it seems reasonable to me. I'm trying to leave time for other things.

My somewhat vague idea is to get everyone in and together on the Friday. Since arrival times are hard to anticipate I'm not sure if we should try for some group activity other than to meet up.

Saturday the idea is to do the Pinz trip, leaving and being on the road before 9:00 AM thereby avoiding some of the heat that will come later. Again, I'm just guessing right now on this. Then the hope is we will have time to do like a cookout or something a little more organized on Saturday evening. I suppose we'll be better able to finess the schedule after I've done a pre-run. There might be time for a group run to Terlingua or something.

Right now I'm aware of one person who intends to come who will stay in Lajitas. I'm thinking if everyone else hangs in Study Butte the logistics of being together will be greatly simplified no matter where they stay as Study Butte (if memory serves) isn't that big.

My plan, as I sit in an air conditioned house, is to tent at the Big Bend Inn. That may change, but staying at Big Bend Motor Inn more than likely won't. I may have my wife along and for sure at least one of the girls.

Mike it would be great if you could make it. According to Yahoo maps, Mesa, AZ is something like 11 hours from Comstock, so you might be looking at a 7 or so hour trip to the Park. I'm trying to have this in a time frame that will allow John in New Mexico to make it also.

Andy

mjnims · Post by **mjnims** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:53 pm

When we do pre runs we usually stop very frequently and take pics and just goof off. The pics will help to get people interested also. It is amazing how slow a group will move. You could figure an average moving speed of less than 5 miles an hour on anything that has any sort of obstacle and no more than 10 miles an hour on just plain rough trails. I know it sounds slow (and it is) but that is what it takes in a group of more than say 7 trucks. If it is fairly open roads than travel times will increase accordingly. Remember if there is an obstacle people will want to get out and watch others.
I think you will find that everyone will entertain themselves without a formal activity, especially the first couple of gatherings.
Surprisingly Texas is not all that far from here. I made a trip to Houston form Mesa and it only took 14 hours. I have not mapped out the Big Bend area but I don't expect it to be a long drive. As I am fond of saying "it is just around the corner"

andy · Post by **andy** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:28 pm

Mike, I'm grateful for your input. Your are 1) confirming things I'd thought of and 2) opening up windows to stuff I hadn't though about. I was planning on trying to get pics of the pre-run.

I think I was assuming a slow trip off road based on mostly how my trips on the ranches go. I'm just not sure what the average speed will be or how often people are going to want to stop and look at things. I'm pretty sure there will be a stop at the Marischal Mine. Also, maybe someone will want to stop at the Panther Junction Park Headquarters to check out the visitor center and/or get park literature etc. if they haven't done it the day before. A side trip up to the Basin would be worth it for anyone who hasn't been there before. There's enough at Big Bend and surrounding area to do a week, if you like being outside.

I'm sort of winging it on most of this because I'm not getting very much input/feedback from people who are considering going. I don't have a whole lot of experience being Troop leader/Scoutmaster or activity coordinator.

Andy

mjnims · Post by **mjnims** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:51 pm

I'm sort of winging it on most of this because I'm not getting very much input/feedback from people who are considering going. I don't have a whole lot of experience being Troop leader/Scoutmaster or activity coordinator.

Your on the right track. I usually just plan a trip I would want to do and hope everyone else wants the same. leave a little time for some unexpected stops and it should be good to go.

andy · Post by **andy** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:35 pm

In the earlier post today about lodging at the Big Bend Motor Inn I forgot to mention that they have a WiFi hotspot in the cafe. Just in case someone needs to keep up with their emails.

Also, if you query Study Butte, Tx on Yahoo there is a map of Study Butte, by MapQuest. From this map, if you pan east you can get roadmap pictures and an aerial view of the National Park up to and including the route I have proposed several posts ago. This site did not show up when I did the Google search.

There are also several video clips about or related to Big Bend on You Tube. Interestingly enough several of them show 4 wheel ATV types being run on the back roads. So I really don't know what to tell you all with regard to the much earlier post about needing to have a vehicle that is licensed for the road.

Andy

springhill · Post by **springhill** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:43 pm

Andy,
Unfortunately I am going to have to miss this one. I am a director on the local Electric Cooperative and our Statewide Meeting is during the same time. I'm sorry, but maybe next year. I know you guys will have a great time. Thank you for considering me when choosing the date and I apologize for having to back out.

John

I-10pinz · Post by **I-10pinz** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:11 pm

Looks like I may have to miss this one too if its the 13 14 15 I might be able to make it but the weekend before I'll be gone.

pinztx · Post by **pinztx** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:18 pm

I'm in for either date. Who does that leave that can go and when?

andy · Post by **andy** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:53 pm

I 10 okay, let's see if that will fly? John, can you do the 13,14,15th of June? I'm still open on either one. Would love to have as many as can make it.

It's probably best if we can nail it down for the majority, so folks can plan and or rearrange work loads. My stuff varies so much that it leaves me the luxury of shuffling stuff around a little.

Keep the thoughts, cards, letters, and replies coming in folks. Let's get this one down and smooth out the edges so the next one will be a little easier.

Andy

springhill · Post by **springhill** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:59 pm

Andy,
That date may work out better, but don't rearrange on my account. The middle to the end of June is branding time around here. It is possible that I could make it. Thanks for all your work getting this put together.

john

andy · Post by **andy** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:08 pm

John, it ain't quite put together yet. It's sort of going down the runway, but it still needs some air under the wings. We'll see what happens.

I'll at least get the pre-run in and post pics.

Andy