I don’t have any notes saved from this trip. I was only nine years old. I really fell in love with Big Bend during that trip; actually, with the whole idea of deserts and mountains. I’d been to Colorado on a family trip a few years earlier and recall being amazed at the mountains and the abandoned mines we saw high up on the slopes; and the scary drives over the unpaved roads along the mountainsides. But for some reason, on our trip to Big Bend something clicked.
I know this trip was around Easter Sunday, in 1968. Looking at a calendar I see that fell on April 14 that year; I’m guessing we were there for the week prior. I don’t think we got spring break in those days, either at my elementary school or for Dad’s job at UT.
I don’t remember the long drive out there on highway 290, although I can assume I was probably getting bored. But to this day I have a vivid recollection of the drive approaching the Chisos, as we began to ascend up The Basin road, past some drums full of water for overheated radiators. I kept staring at the rugged cliffs and thinking “Wow, I wonder what it’s like up there! Wandering around up there would be the greatest thing ever!”
Turns out I was right!
![](https://phieldnotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cabins-1024x680.jpg)
The Lodge in the Basin was there even back then, but much different than today. The main building with the restaurant was there, but only limited lodging. And a small gas station. We stayed in a cabin; I think it was one of the old CCC cabins but I’m not sure. It was cozy for a young family of four, but I don’t recall spending that much time in it.
![Gas station in the Basin](https://phieldnotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/basingasstation-1024x679.jpg)
Aside from the permanently stamped wanderlust the trip had on my young, impressionable mind, I only recall bits and pieces of the trip. I recently came across Dad’s slides, and have scanned most of them, but they don’t trigger many new memories.
One thing about the photos: Dad was a good photographer and very experienced at shooting outdoor exposures, yet all these have a definite overexposed cast to them. So much I had to severely correct them in Lightroom. I wonder if maybe the film was damaged by the heat? Who knows…
![](https://phieldnotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/lmpgreengulch-1024x689.jpg)
![](https://phieldnotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/lmpMom-675x1024.jpg)
![](https://phieldnotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/lmptop-1024x689.jpg)
![](https://phieldnotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/lmpvicnme-691x1024.jpg)
I only vaguely recall the hike up Lost Mine Peak trail; being close to Easter I was sure I would be the one to discover the lost mine. I definitely remember hiking the South Rim; we got a very early (dawn) start. On the way down, my big brother and I left our parents behind and finished before they did. I remember trying to climb that pile of rocks in the middle of the Basin (of course I couldn’t do it).
![Me, Mom, starting up South Rim trail](https://phieldnotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sorimmommestart-681x1024.jpg)
![Me, Mom, big brother hiking up South Rim](https://phieldnotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sorimmemomvic-687x1024.jpg)
![](https://phieldnotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sorimbasinview-1024x684.jpg)
![](https://phieldnotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sorimbootcanyonvic-1024x682.jpg)
![](https://phieldnotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sorimvicmebootspring-1024x687.jpg)
Our slides show that we also hit Santa Elena canyon, which I don’t remember.
I learned about geology. I learned about dikes and sills. About volcanic tuff and igneous rocks.
![](https://phieldnotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/vicandiexploring-1024x687.jpg)
Nine years later as a young adult I would make my first “non-family” trip to Big Bend NP; then in the 80s would start regularly visiting the park for camping, hiking, backpacking and exploring.
I love this post and the memories, few folks were exposed to the Bend in those early years, you were a lucky guy!
I was, indeed. Thanks!