Travel Report: Big Bend National Park

TheWB wrote:
Big Bend is one of our favorite destinations. We go there every year (for the last 3) and plan to do it again this year. Some excellent hiking. And if you're a rider bring your motorcycle, you can spend a day just riding through Terlingua and Presidio.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I am a motorcyclist. PeeWee, my faithful little Yamaha XT 250 Dual Sport rides on the back of Charlene, my 30' Class C. Our little family has been on the road for over 9 months now and PeeWee has taken me all kinds of places including those I had no business going at my skill level of riding including Yankee Boy Basin and Ophir Pass in Colorado... but we made it!

It was quite cool when I was in Big Bend last week; downright cold in fact. My fresh water inlet check valve leaks a little and when I awoke one morning there was an icicle from the fitting half way down to the ground, maybe 18" long! I have a battery powered heated jacket liner and gloves to wear on cold days but they only last so long and only make so much heat. When temps are in the 30s I'm not wild about riding, especially when there is drizzle as there was the day I decided to leave Big Bend.

I look forward to going back and hope to have better weather when I do.

Big Bend is one of our favorite destinations. We go there every year (for the last 3) and plan to do it again this year. Some excellent hiking. And if you're a rider bring your motorcycle, you can spend a day just riding through Terlingua and Presidio.

We were actually amazed when we were there in December how much better cell coverage is now than it used to be. We had ATT in much of the park, and Verizon in more areas than we expected.
We were told by locals that someone put up a private tower and that is helping.

Sue

Cell is spotty as noted but we've found quite a few places around the Park where our US Cellular worked reliably.
(We got Verizon around Panther Junction.)


X2
The wifi at the restaurant at Chisos Was good.

huachuca wrote:

sloman2001 wrote:
Good blog, enjoyed it.

I am heading to Big Bend in March. Any feedback on your ability (if you tried) to have cell phone service (name the carrier if so) or internet ( name the carrier if so). BTW, loved your blog.

Cell is spotty as noted but we've found quite a few places around the Park where our US Cellular worked reliably.

We got Verizon around Panther Junction.

huachuca wrote:
Russ, thanks for posting and enjoyed reading your blog. I look forward to more details about your time in Big Bend.

Your picture of Cerro Castellan is the best I've ever seen of that particular feature in the Park. If you haven't already, check out www.bigbendchat.com There are some talented photographers there as we'll.

Al

First, thanks for you kind words. Next, thanks for the name of the peak. I didn't know it had one. Then, thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

Russ, thanks for posting and enjoyed reading your blog. I look forward to more details about your time in Big Bend.

Your picture of Cerro Castellan is the best I've ever seen of that particular feature in the Park. If you haven't already, check out www.bigbendchat.com There are some talented photographers there as we'll.

Al

sloman2001 wrote:
Good blog, enjoyed it.

I am heading to Big Bend in March. Any feedback on your ability (if you tried) to have cell phone service (name the carrier if so) or internet ( name the carrier if so). BTW, loved your blog.

Cell is spotty as noted but we've found quite a few places around the Park where our US Cellular worked reliably.

sloman2001 wrote:
Good blog, enjoyed it.

I am heading to Big Bend in March. Any feedback on your ability (if you tried) to have cell phone service (name the carrier if so) or internet ( name the carrier if so). BTW, loved your blog.

I'm glad you like it. Wish I could do more... I'm so far behind. Maybe after Quartzsite I'll have a few weeks in the desert with more time. It takes a lot!

I hope you'll subscribe and spread the word.

sloman2001 wrote:
Good blog, enjoyed it.

I am heading to Big Bend in March. Any feedback on your ability (if you tried) to have cell phone service (name the carrier if so) or internet ( name the carrier if so). BTW, loved your blog.

Glad you liked the blog. I hope you'll subscribe and spread the word.

I'll do a boondocking report on Big Bend on the blog soon. Till then, know this: don't expect cell service in the park. There might be a few spotty places with intermittent AT&T such as near the Panther Junction Visitor Center, but don't count on it. There is no Verizon.That was my experience and what I was told by a ranger. There is wifi at the lodge so that can be used with Skype if you need to talk and have a laptop or other mobile device with Skype installed. Call Panther Junction for more info: 432-477-1158. That's park HQ. HTH.