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Simmons1
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- Rich
- Last Name
- Simmons
It had been a long fall for both Linda and I work wise. Both of us have been really busy working long hours for several months. For the first time ever, the company I work for was going to be closed from Christmas day through New Years day. After doing some initial planning and talking with ED29 we decided to spend the Holidays in Terlingua.
We had our family Chistmas on Christmas Eve and hit the hay pretty early.
Day 1 Fort Worth to Terlingua
Christmas day would be a travel day. We rolled out of bed at 5 am and were loaded up and rolling by 6:10 am. We were trying something a little different this trip. Instead of pulling my trailer, we put the WR250R on one of the $100 (on sale) Cycle Gear hitch carriers.
9 hours later we pulled into the Eldorado Hotel in Terlingua and unloaded for the week and headed for a beer at the High Sierra.
We headed up to the Porch to see if we could find ED29. We soon spotted a couple characters we knew.
We watched the sun set and then grabbed some dinner in the Starlight Theatre.
On the way out we ran into Omatic, Calgory Yogi , and Jeff. They would be joining us for a ride tomorrow.
Day 2 “Top of The World”
Linda was going to relax for the day spending quality time with a good book and taking a much needed nap.
The plan for the ride today was to meet at Chili Peppers for breakfest and then head out. The breakfest buritos were tasty and filling.
We had a pretty good crew for todays ride. ED29 would be taking us to “Top of The World”. Bill and Rachel would be two up a mighty KLR, along with Calgory Yogi, Omatic, and Jeff.
First stop would be at ED29's place so we could check out the latest things tha thave changed. I put on some more clothing as it was pretty cool this morning.
Click for short video
We were motoring along and ED hit a rock that tossed him on the ground.
While he was shaking it off, Jeff noticed he re- assembled his DRZ incorrectly while fixing a front flat.
Soon we would be at “Top of The World”. It was beautiful day so we hung out on top for quite a while.
Time to get moving again.
Back at ED29's
While we were riding back to the town, Linda was checking out the Cemetery in the Ghost town.
To get a little more riding in I followed the two KLR's to the park to get park passes.
After getting back to the Hotel to meet up with Linda we headed up to Ghost town to check things out.
We grabbed a bite to eat and called it a night
Day 3 Terlingua to Boquillas del Carmen
Today would be a non riding day. Linda, Mike and I would be meeting Ed and his friend Bryn to go across the Rio Grande to Boquillas del Carmen. Bryn has lived in Terlingua for almost 30 years It was awesome to be able to her ask her questions about the area' s rich history.
Before heading off on 4 wheels we met Mike, ED29, and Bryn for breakfast in the Ghost Town.
We followed Ed and Bryn through the park and were at the crossing an hour and twenty minutes later.
Prior to 9/11 there was an informal border crossing to visit the village. After 9/11 the border crossing was closed and tourist money dried up. It was a rough time for the small village until 2013 when a new official border crossing was opened.
More on Boquillas del Carmen's history can be read here:
http://www.marathontexas.com/index.php?pageid=29
After a short walk to the river we boarded the row boat bound for Mexico.
Our destination
Click for short Video
It was easy to see that with the crossing back open that the town was coming back to life. After passing through Mexican immigration with our Passports we headed to Jose Falcons for lunch.
Bryn had spent some time in Boquillas early this year painting the new sign for Jose Falcon's. We were treated like royalty during our visit.
For more of Bryn's art work click below:
http://www.leapinlizardterlingua.com/Watercolors.html
After a fine lunch to tamales and Cart Blanca we took a stroll through the village.
The local church
On the way through town the Park Bar was closed, on the way back someone had opened it up for us.
Reflection in the bar mirror
Our visit would soon be over and we be on our way back to the border.
Isn't there an old joke that goes, why did the javelana cross the road?
On the way back to Terlingua Linda, Mike and I decided to check out the Hot Spring along the Rio Grande in the Park.
After hanging out that Porch for a bit with Ed and BrynLinda and I headed to La Kiva for dinner and to listen to Lavens play for a bit before before turning in.
The mystery of the evening was when would Brian and Jeff arrive from Fort Worth? They were supposed to be leaving late afternoon today.
Day 4 The River Road
The plan for today was to eat breakfast with Linda at Chili Pepper and then meet Ed at his place at 10 am.
It was a cool ride to Ed's, I am glad I was wearing my heated gear again today.
On the way to Ed's
I pulled in to Ed's right at 10 and see Brian's Jeep and the Conestoga Wagon camping setup being assembled.
Click for short video;
Brian and Jeff got in at 4 am due to driving in several hours of heavy fog, but were ready for a big day of riding. We are headed to the park and would be riding old Maverick Road and the River Road before returning to Terlingua.
Time to roll
On Old Maverick Road
Hard to believe Mr. Luna raised 17 kids and lived to be 108 years old in this house.
We would soon be looking at the awe inspiring Santa Elena Canyon.
SANTA ELENA CANYON. Santa Elena Canyon, on the Rio Grande in southwestern Brewster County, is one of the most famous canyons in Big Bend National Park. It separates the limestone mesas of the Mesa de Anguila on the northern or Texas side of the river from the Sierra Ponce on the southern or Mexican side. The entrance of the seven-mile canyon is located seven miles southeast of Lajitas (at 29°11' N, 103°42' W). Its mouth is located six miles northwest of Castolon at the southeastern end of the Mesa de Anguila (at 29°10' N, 103°37' W). Santa Elena Canyon, like Mariscal and Boquillas canyons, was carved out of thick layers of limestone originally deposited as sediments in the shallow sea that covered the Big Bend between sixty million and 130 million years ago. A mile below the entrance to the canyon, a rockslide from the Mexican side, known as the Labyrinth, rises to a height of 180 feet above the river and constitutes a major navigational hazard for boaters. Below the rockslide the canyon is narrow (sometimes as narrow as twenty-five feet) and sheer. Its walls reach a height of 1,500 feet above the river.
After viewing the Canyon we headed up Ross Maxwell to get to the River Road.
A little ways further up the road we turned on to the River Road. We got a late start so Ed was making pretty good time with few stops to ensure we would make our loop and get back by dark.
At our first stop on the River Road, we spied this relic from the days of old in Big Bend.
Click for short video
Small oops in some real soft stuff
Click for a short video
Our next stop would be at the old Mariscal Mine. We didn't have time for any real exploring, another day I will revisit the mine.
Abandoned since the 1940s, and isolated by its remote location in the middle of Big Bend National Park, the Mariscal Mine is the best preserved mercury mining site in the state of Texas, and is a listed historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.
After this stop we would soon be at blacktop and headed back to the Porch.
I wound up with roughly 160 miles today. Everyone was pretty tired so we called it an early night.
Day 6 Last Ride Day This Trip
This would be my last day for a big ride this trip. David indicated at the porch last night that he might go with us today on his trick Beta. The plan was to meet David at Rogers place at 10 am.
Ed, Brian, and Jeff, stopped and found out that David would not be going with us. I met them at Tom's camp spot and away we went.
We rode about 20 miles of blacktop and then out on dirt. Going up a big hill Ed thought he left his top box unlatched. Unfortunately. This wasn't the case.
Click for short video
Ed's KLR had sheared a couple of bolts that holds on the luggage rack and rear fender on the bike. We unloaded all we could and decided to head back to Ed's to change bikes. Since it was lunch time we fired up the grill and had some hot dogs and then went exploring near Ed's place.
Click for short video.
Ed was drooling over these solar panels smack dap in the middle of nowhere contacted to a big metal building.
While we are out cruising around the desert, Linda decided to take a half day raft ride on the Rio Grande with Far Flung Outdoor Center.
From the look on Linda's face you can tell she is having a great afternoon.
We had heard a rumor that Long Draw Pizza was not crowded tonight, so that is where we headed for dinner. It is the best Pizza in the area.
Brian almost got us tossed out before all of us made it in the door. LOL Something about being out of Shiner almost started an international incident with our Canadian waitress. We wound up having a great time with lots of laughs at our table, and lots of fun laughing with our waitress about beer, pizza, and life in general.
Day 7 Chiso Basin
They were a lot of people in town that are regulars in the long running Friday night Ice Cream gathering at the Burger Box, in Fort Worth.
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18368
Ed suggested it would be fun to have a Friday Night Ice Cream gathering at 1 pm at Chisos Basin in the Park.
First we all had to get there.
On the way to breakfest
After entering the park.
I would actually get to see more today in the truck on Old Maverick.
Another visit to Santa Elena so Linda could take in its beauty.
We would soon be headed up Ross Maxwell again stopping to look all the overlooks.
Our next stop would be at Castolon. Castolon has the most intact building. in the park. The history of Castolon can be found here:
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrc31
Onward we go toward Ice Cream and cobbler.
Soon we would be at the Basin
It is tough work eating cobbler and ice cream
Getting directions to Ed's place.
Mike on the Super Tenere riding out of the Basin
After getting back Linda and I were going to spend a little time getting organized for packing but not before a couple more photos of at the Ghost Town.
At 4:30 we headed to the porch to get in line for two for one burgers. Linda, Rachel, and Bill were first in line to secure us a table.
Waiting for our burgers. Chuck and Susan would join us after this photo was taken.
Day 7 Feast Ed's Place
Today was New Years Eve. Ed offered to smoke a Pork Loin and have an early day gathering at his place. It wound up being a great day to relax in the sun.
We had pretty good crew for the afternoon with Bob, Bryn, Brian, Chuck, David, Ed, Jeff, Linda, Roger, Willow and myself for the big feed. Those that headed home ealry from the desert missed a wonderful day great feast. I was also in relax mode and took a few pictures.
Willow looking for a hand and just maybe a snack.
Relaxing with full belly's
After feed ride for a few.
We headed back to the Eldorado to finish loading up for tomorrows long drive home.
After getting loaded Linda and I stopped at the Boat House for a beer with David and Bob before heading to the Porch to plan our evening. At around 7 pm Brian and Jeff pulled in and told us they were loaded up and heading for home. We looked at them in astonishment, and off they went.
We headed down to La Kiva to listen to the Fabulous Vortexans play their first set before hitting the hay around 10:30.
While there with Ed and Bryn we bumped into Omatic and his buddies from Austin that he was riding with at the Ride Dual Sport event at BBRSP. Sounded like they had a great time.
RDS Ridedualsport.com report is here:
http://ridedualsport.com/forum/index.php?topic=4156.0
Day 8 Terlingua to Fort Worth
We got up early and hit the road at 6:15 am. Not long after I mentioned that to that Linda I was going to take is easy speed wise in the dark on the way up to Alpine a 10 point Buck sauntered across the road in front of us. We would see one more deer and a bunch of rabbits before sun up when we got to Alpine.
The rest of the ride home was uneventful. We grabbed a quick lunch in San Angelo and pulled in the driveway at 3:30 PM.
After a great week in the desert it was a long day at work in the 2nd for both of us.
The set up with using the hitch carrier on the truck worked better than I expected it to. It have a feeling it will get used regularly when I only need to carry one bike.
As usual the WR250R was flawless.
Until next time....
We had our family Chistmas on Christmas Eve and hit the hay pretty early.
Day 1 Fort Worth to Terlingua
Christmas day would be a travel day. We rolled out of bed at 5 am and were loaded up and rolling by 6:10 am. We were trying something a little different this trip. Instead of pulling my trailer, we put the WR250R on one of the $100 (on sale) Cycle Gear hitch carriers.
9 hours later we pulled into the Eldorado Hotel in Terlingua and unloaded for the week and headed for a beer at the High Sierra.
We headed up to the Porch to see if we could find ED29. We soon spotted a couple characters we knew.
We watched the sun set and then grabbed some dinner in the Starlight Theatre.
On the way out we ran into Omatic, Calgory Yogi , and Jeff. They would be joining us for a ride tomorrow.
Day 2 “Top of The World”
Linda was going to relax for the day spending quality time with a good book and taking a much needed nap.
The plan for the ride today was to meet at Chili Peppers for breakfest and then head out. The breakfest buritos were tasty and filling.
We had a pretty good crew for todays ride. ED29 would be taking us to “Top of The World”. Bill and Rachel would be two up a mighty KLR, along with Calgory Yogi, Omatic, and Jeff.
First stop would be at ED29's place so we could check out the latest things tha thave changed. I put on some more clothing as it was pretty cool this morning.
Click for short video
We were motoring along and ED hit a rock that tossed him on the ground.
While he was shaking it off, Jeff noticed he re- assembled his DRZ incorrectly while fixing a front flat.
Soon we would be at “Top of The World”. It was beautiful day so we hung out on top for quite a while.
Time to get moving again.
Back at ED29's
While we were riding back to the town, Linda was checking out the Cemetery in the Ghost town.
To get a little more riding in I followed the two KLR's to the park to get park passes.
After getting back to the Hotel to meet up with Linda we headed up to Ghost town to check things out.
We grabbed a bite to eat and called it a night
Day 3 Terlingua to Boquillas del Carmen
Today would be a non riding day. Linda, Mike and I would be meeting Ed and his friend Bryn to go across the Rio Grande to Boquillas del Carmen. Bryn has lived in Terlingua for almost 30 years It was awesome to be able to her ask her questions about the area' s rich history.
Before heading off on 4 wheels we met Mike, ED29, and Bryn for breakfast in the Ghost Town.
We followed Ed and Bryn through the park and were at the crossing an hour and twenty minutes later.
Prior to 9/11 there was an informal border crossing to visit the village. After 9/11 the border crossing was closed and tourist money dried up. It was a rough time for the small village until 2013 when a new official border crossing was opened.
More on Boquillas del Carmen's history can be read here:
http://www.marathontexas.com/index.php?pageid=29
After a short walk to the river we boarded the row boat bound for Mexico.
Our destination
Click for short Video
It was easy to see that with the crossing back open that the town was coming back to life. After passing through Mexican immigration with our Passports we headed to Jose Falcons for lunch.
Bryn had spent some time in Boquillas early this year painting the new sign for Jose Falcon's. We were treated like royalty during our visit.
For more of Bryn's art work click below:
http://www.leapinlizardterlingua.com/Watercolors.html
After a fine lunch to tamales and Cart Blanca we took a stroll through the village.
The local church
On the way through town the Park Bar was closed, on the way back someone had opened it up for us.
Reflection in the bar mirror
Our visit would soon be over and we be on our way back to the border.
Isn't there an old joke that goes, why did the javelana cross the road?
On the way back to Terlingua Linda, Mike and I decided to check out the Hot Spring along the Rio Grande in the Park.
After hanging out that Porch for a bit with Ed and BrynLinda and I headed to La Kiva for dinner and to listen to Lavens play for a bit before before turning in.
The mystery of the evening was when would Brian and Jeff arrive from Fort Worth? They were supposed to be leaving late afternoon today.
Day 4 The River Road
The plan for today was to eat breakfast with Linda at Chili Pepper and then meet Ed at his place at 10 am.
It was a cool ride to Ed's, I am glad I was wearing my heated gear again today.
On the way to Ed's
I pulled in to Ed's right at 10 and see Brian's Jeep and the Conestoga Wagon camping setup being assembled.
Click for short video;
Brian and Jeff got in at 4 am due to driving in several hours of heavy fog, but were ready for a big day of riding. We are headed to the park and would be riding old Maverick Road and the River Road before returning to Terlingua.
Time to roll
On Old Maverick Road
Hard to believe Mr. Luna raised 17 kids and lived to be 108 years old in this house.
We would soon be looking at the awe inspiring Santa Elena Canyon.
SANTA ELENA CANYON. Santa Elena Canyon, on the Rio Grande in southwestern Brewster County, is one of the most famous canyons in Big Bend National Park. It separates the limestone mesas of the Mesa de Anguila on the northern or Texas side of the river from the Sierra Ponce on the southern or Mexican side. The entrance of the seven-mile canyon is located seven miles southeast of Lajitas (at 29°11' N, 103°42' W). Its mouth is located six miles northwest of Castolon at the southeastern end of the Mesa de Anguila (at 29°10' N, 103°37' W). Santa Elena Canyon, like Mariscal and Boquillas canyons, was carved out of thick layers of limestone originally deposited as sediments in the shallow sea that covered the Big Bend between sixty million and 130 million years ago. A mile below the entrance to the canyon, a rockslide from the Mexican side, known as the Labyrinth, rises to a height of 180 feet above the river and constitutes a major navigational hazard for boaters. Below the rockslide the canyon is narrow (sometimes as narrow as twenty-five feet) and sheer. Its walls reach a height of 1,500 feet above the river.
After viewing the Canyon we headed up Ross Maxwell to get to the River Road.
A little ways further up the road we turned on to the River Road. We got a late start so Ed was making pretty good time with few stops to ensure we would make our loop and get back by dark.
At our first stop on the River Road, we spied this relic from the days of old in Big Bend.
Click for short video
Small oops in some real soft stuff
Click for a short video
Our next stop would be at the old Mariscal Mine. We didn't have time for any real exploring, another day I will revisit the mine.
Abandoned since the 1940s, and isolated by its remote location in the middle of Big Bend National Park, the Mariscal Mine is the best preserved mercury mining site in the state of Texas, and is a listed historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.
After this stop we would soon be at blacktop and headed back to the Porch.
I wound up with roughly 160 miles today. Everyone was pretty tired so we called it an early night.
Day 6 Last Ride Day This Trip
This would be my last day for a big ride this trip. David indicated at the porch last night that he might go with us today on his trick Beta. The plan was to meet David at Rogers place at 10 am.
Ed, Brian, and Jeff, stopped and found out that David would not be going with us. I met them at Tom's camp spot and away we went.
We rode about 20 miles of blacktop and then out on dirt. Going up a big hill Ed thought he left his top box unlatched. Unfortunately. This wasn't the case.
Click for short video
Ed's KLR had sheared a couple of bolts that holds on the luggage rack and rear fender on the bike. We unloaded all we could and decided to head back to Ed's to change bikes. Since it was lunch time we fired up the grill and had some hot dogs and then went exploring near Ed's place.
Click for short video.
Ed was drooling over these solar panels smack dap in the middle of nowhere contacted to a big metal building.
While we are out cruising around the desert, Linda decided to take a half day raft ride on the Rio Grande with Far Flung Outdoor Center.
From the look on Linda's face you can tell she is having a great afternoon.
We had heard a rumor that Long Draw Pizza was not crowded tonight, so that is where we headed for dinner. It is the best Pizza in the area.
Brian almost got us tossed out before all of us made it in the door. LOL Something about being out of Shiner almost started an international incident with our Canadian waitress. We wound up having a great time with lots of laughs at our table, and lots of fun laughing with our waitress about beer, pizza, and life in general.
Day 7 Chiso Basin
They were a lot of people in town that are regulars in the long running Friday night Ice Cream gathering at the Burger Box, in Fort Worth.
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18368
Ed suggested it would be fun to have a Friday Night Ice Cream gathering at 1 pm at Chisos Basin in the Park.
First we all had to get there.
On the way to breakfest
After entering the park.
I would actually get to see more today in the truck on Old Maverick.
Another visit to Santa Elena so Linda could take in its beauty.
We would soon be headed up Ross Maxwell again stopping to look all the overlooks.
Our next stop would be at Castolon. Castolon has the most intact building. in the park. The history of Castolon can be found here:
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrc31
Onward we go toward Ice Cream and cobbler.
Soon we would be at the Basin
It is tough work eating cobbler and ice cream
Getting directions to Ed's place.
Mike on the Super Tenere riding out of the Basin
After getting back Linda and I were going to spend a little time getting organized for packing but not before a couple more photos of at the Ghost Town.
At 4:30 we headed to the porch to get in line for two for one burgers. Linda, Rachel, and Bill were first in line to secure us a table.
Waiting for our burgers. Chuck and Susan would join us after this photo was taken.
Day 7 Feast Ed's Place
Today was New Years Eve. Ed offered to smoke a Pork Loin and have an early day gathering at his place. It wound up being a great day to relax in the sun.
We had pretty good crew for the afternoon with Bob, Bryn, Brian, Chuck, David, Ed, Jeff, Linda, Roger, Willow and myself for the big feed. Those that headed home ealry from the desert missed a wonderful day great feast. I was also in relax mode and took a few pictures.
Willow looking for a hand and just maybe a snack.
Relaxing with full belly's
After feed ride for a few.
We headed back to the Eldorado to finish loading up for tomorrows long drive home.
After getting loaded Linda and I stopped at the Boat House for a beer with David and Bob before heading to the Porch to plan our evening. At around 7 pm Brian and Jeff pulled in and told us they were loaded up and heading for home. We looked at them in astonishment, and off they went.
We headed down to La Kiva to listen to the Fabulous Vortexans play their first set before hitting the hay around 10:30.
While there with Ed and Bryn we bumped into Omatic and his buddies from Austin that he was riding with at the Ride Dual Sport event at BBRSP. Sounded like they had a great time.
RDS Ridedualsport.com report is here:
http://ridedualsport.com/forum/index.php?topic=4156.0
Day 8 Terlingua to Fort Worth
We got up early and hit the road at 6:15 am. Not long after I mentioned that to that Linda I was going to take is easy speed wise in the dark on the way up to Alpine a 10 point Buck sauntered across the road in front of us. We would see one more deer and a bunch of rabbits before sun up when we got to Alpine.
The rest of the ride home was uneventful. We grabbed a quick lunch in San Angelo and pulled in the driveway at 3:30 PM.
After a great week in the desert it was a long day at work in the 2nd for both of us.
The set up with using the hitch carrier on the truck worked better than I expected it to. It have a feeling it will get used regularly when I only need to carry one bike.
As usual the WR250R was flawless.
Until next time....
