Rio Grande, Rio Bravo

Its 1,865 mile journey starts in the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado and ends at the Gulf of Mexico near Brownsville, Texas. Nearly two-thirds of it serves as the dividing line between the United States of America and the United States of Mexico. On our side of the border, we know it as the Rio Grande. Mexicans refer to it as el Rio Bravo. The river lives up to both names, being grande (“large”) and, during summer months when heavy rains force the river from its banks and through narrow, rock-lined squeezes, bravo (“angry”).

The 196-mile section of the Rio Grande that flows between the Chihuahua/Coahila state line in Mexico to the Terrell/Val Verde county line in Texas received Congressional designation as a Wild and Scenic River in 1978. The area's location within Big Bend presents park guests with the unusual opportunity to experience two parks in one.

Band of Boaters - rangers and volunteers prepare to put in at Talley for the
start of their two-day education on the Rio Grande.

In October, as part of our volunteer orientation, Leonard was treated to a two-day float adventure down the river. This exploration was led by the interpretive ranger responsible for managing Big Bend's river district.

Where was I? Someone had to stay behind to take care of Sprocket, so I offered to play dog sitter.

(Lest you pity me, remember that we spend nearly every moment of every day together. Sometimes it's nice to be able to catch some quality “alone time.”)

I will leave you to peruse a sampling of photos from Leonard's wet and wild weekend. 

Here's wishing you all a very happy 2014!

En route to the river, our adventurers are treated to a stop at the abandoned Mariscal Mine. The mine
was once an important source of Cinnabar, the ore that yields mercury. Look, but don't touch! Mercury
is quite toxic.



Leonard moves in for a closer look at the one of the mine's abandoned shafts.

At long last, water. Let the fun begin!

The river canyons of the Big Bend are the stuff of which postcards are made. Marvelous!
 





Camping on the U.S. side of the river is allowed by permit. Our heroes wasted no time in setting up their tents and bedding.



The morning of Day 2 finds this skilled mariner soaking wet,
the result of an unplanned foray into a thicket of cane. That's
one way to take a bath!

It just keeps getting better.
 

The home stretch. From the looks on these faces, I'd say canoeing is serious business!