Big Bend Adventure

December 26th, we headed out early for the long drive to Big Bend. Let me explain a back story for those of you that might not know... when I was a kid my family went on a big family trip each summer. The summer I was 12, we were supposed to go to Big Bend, the McDonald Observatory, and Marfa Lights as a family... however, I got really sick with Tyfus... (who gets that?!) and was hospitalized for a week or so which inevitably meant no summer trip! Speed forward 16 years and I'm 28. My family plans a Christmas trip to Big Bend to see all of the above... when low and behold I end up in the hospital AGAIN! This time trying not to have Aubrie! So despite the apparent cosmic powers trying to keep us away, we once again planned a trip to Big Bend and this time --- WE MADE IT! Brandon and I had been on our own once in college, so we played tour guides for the rest of the family. Fun was had by all (except Courtney and Jason who had to stay home and work :( ) Here's a few of the shots from the trip!

Stop One: McDonald Observatory --- unfortunately - nothing to see there! :(

Stop Two: Marfa Lights - no photos and really nothing to see! (at least not the night we went!)

Stop Three: Lajitas -a nearly abandoned resort in the desert... it was really pretty!

Stop Four: Terlingua Ghost Town - Yummy food, cool things to see briefly

Big Bend - Ernst Tinaja - this was mine and Brandon's favorite place the first time we went to Big Bend

Big Bend - Santa Elena Canyon - this is a cool place with huge boulders and cold sand. The kids loved playing in the sand!

Big Bend - Balancing Rock - this was the only new thing Brandon and I hadn't done and we are so glad we made the vertical hike to see it. Very Worth It!

Big Bend - Lost Mine Trail - although we were all tired and didn't go all the way up, this was our venture into the mountainous terrain at Big Bend.

Pay close attention to Branson's face... he gets soooo tired of his mommy taking pictures!