Why This National Park Is Worth The Drive

Why This National Park Is Worth The Drive. We are in the Big Bend National Park region of South West Texas. Camping in Terlingua, Texas at Rancho Topanga Campground. www.ranchotopan...
The first day of this vlog we drive 7 mins west of our campground to Big Bend Ranch State Park to ride mountain bike trails. We road the Dog Cholla Trail and Crystal Trail.
After the mountain bike ride, we visited the town of Lajitas and met the mayor who is a goat before heading back to the ghost town of Terlingua, Texas. There we had one of the best dinners of our lives at the Starlight Theatre Restaurant www.thestarligh...
The next day we visited the Cottonwood General Store. Then headed back to Big Bend Ranch State Park to hike the Closed Canyon Trail, and Hoodoos Trail. That evening, we met new friends and ate at the Starlight Theatre Restaurant again with them. Our new friends also invited us to where they were staying at Basecamp Terlingua and hung out around the fire with them. basecampterling...
Our last day of this trip we headed back to Big Bend National Park where he hike one of the most amazing hikes of our lives. The trial was Lost Mine Trail.
Kellie cooks up some amazing food on this adventure on her Coleman Stove and Oven. She prepares Yogurt Pancakes, English Muffin Breakfast Sandwiches, Breakfast Burritos, and Steak with Sauteed Vegetables and Potatoes.
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BELOW ARE LINKS TO HOW-TO VIDEOS OF OUR, LINKS TO THINGS WE USE ON OUR CAMPING TRIPS, AND CAMERA GEAR.
Dome Life Video - How to Setup and Breakdown your tent
• Video
Dome Life Video - A Tour of My Camp Kitchen
• Video
Dome Life Video - Our Camping Setup
• Essential Items for Ca...
Dome Life Video - Our Kayak Camping Setup
• Video
Dome Life Video - Shower Build
• Video
Camping Stove
amzn.to/32RLzWG
Igloo Cooler
amzn.to/2CUTJmy
6 gallon water jug
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The tent we have is a Alps Mountaineering 6 Person tent
amzn.to/3hY1pEz
The new tent fans:
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Cots
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Kayak - Perception Pescador 10.0 (Our model has changed and is no longer available. Here is the updated model)
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Dry Bag - We have 2 20-Liter Seal Line dry bags.
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Cookware - 16 Pcs Bisgear Camping Cookware.
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Cooler - Ozark Trail 30 Can Leaktight Cooler.
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Water Filter - Survivor Filter PRO.
www.avantlink....
Camping Chairs - G4Free Outdoor 2 Pack Camping Chair.
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Kayak Camping Tent - Hasle Outfitters Ultralight backpacking tent, 2 person 3 season.
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Camping Pad - X-Large 30X77 inch Therm-a-Rest Basecamp self-inflating foam camping pad.
amzn.to/3hYYJ9F
Cody's Pillow - TREKOLOGY ultralight inflating Travel/Camping Pillow.
amzn.to/2Z4ltwp.
Kellie's Pillow - Coop Home Goods - Adjustable Travel and Camping Pillow
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MSR PocketRocket Camping Travel Stove
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GSI Outdoors - French Press
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Golden Eagle Hammock Rain Fly
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Camera Gear
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
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GoPro Hero 7 Black
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iPhone 11 Pro
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#bigbend #texas #desert #domelife #camping #overlanding #foodvideo #foodtube #hiking #adventure #explore #vanlife #mtb

[@douglaslucas7612]

Preserves on the English muffin with thick bacon and flipped eggs.. . Love your cooking style. Utilitarian gormet!!

[@tracybecker2515]

Thanks for showing us Rancho Tapanga . We are going to stay there after Christmas with several of our friends.

[@texassalt8999]

Texas!!!! Y'all are in my state! I just camped in the Ozarks using your videos to find some cool places. I feel Texas is underrated . There's so many different landscapes. Come to East Texas and visit the Piney Woods!

[@CodyandKellie]

We have so much to explore in Texas. Were happy you finally got to camp in the Ozarks! We hope it was relaxing.

[@watcherdan7437]

Hello Kelly & Cody, I have been watching you folks for a couple of years now and I just want to say I love your channel. I first stumbled onto or rather YT algorithims connected me to your channel in Oct. 2021 when I had CV19 and was not able to work. I am a native Texan, born in the high plains desert country of Kermit Texas. Raised in San Antonio. I love Big Bend also like you all do. I helped a business in Houston that did outback trips to Big Bend and it was amazing. The people and the country and the whole ambience of West Texas and Big Bend is just so enchanting. Thanks for all your hard work creating these videos for us all…❤

[@Whiplash1937]

hey guys,awesome ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ video.so glad u got to visit my home state,and so glad u enjoyed ur visit.TX truly has something for everyone.please,be mindful of rattlesnakes on the trail.remember how far u are from medical attention.a bite from one can go south very quickly,I froze when Cody sat in the shade of that box the last place u stopped.anyway,can’t help but worry a little,my son and his wife hike constantly too.thanks for keeping us entertained👍

[@CodyandKellie]

Wow we didn’t really even think about snakes. Thanks for looking out for us.

[@twinenk15]

You guys are awesome. It's nice seeing a couple enjoying, living and sharing the dream. The adventure. No tag alone. Each caring there own weight and more.

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@curtisscott8546]

Just got back from a trip to Big Bend. We also stayed at Camp Topanga. We ended up doing most of the hikes in the National Park and most of the unmaintained roads in a Jeep. A very beautiful area and away from everything. One of the highlights was the stars and seeing the Milky Way. Great couple of videos of the park so far.

[@CodyandKellie]

We just love it there! Thanks for watching

[@Bayloy]

Thank y'all for takin the time to appreciate Texas. She ain't conventionally beautiful in some spots but she is mighty and she is a sight ta see. We got some fine sunsets too. Hope y'all enjoyed!

[@donmatthews7661]

We camped in the Chisos basin in 1966. We had a tarp, two cots, and a three year old with us. It was an adventure. We still talk about it from time to time.

[@jessicafuller9170]

I love your videos! I am a Texas girl living in Montana now for 30 years…I would love to get back to The Big Bend area again. Thanks for sharing!

[@redvaquero]

Starlight has great food, love that place.

[@mowcowbell]

Definitely an area to hit in fall or early spring. Extreme heat any other time of the year. I did the Outer Loop in Big Bend which was a 4 day hike. Loved every minute of it.

[@CodyandKellie]

We will definitely be back in the winter

[@mustangpatty51]

That looked like a great camping experience. The one your friends stayed in was awesome. Your videos are always wonderful. Cody's face when he saw the square shower was hilarious. Love both of you. Pat

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you!

[@rachelreyes4128]

Such endurance! Geez I’m tired just watching y’all bike that trail lol thanks for sharing your experience

[@josevilla8179]

Took my grand daughter camping at the grand canyon last year. And Gila national forest. This year took her to ouray Colorado n Carlsbad caverns. We watch yall every day she loves watching yall. She's learning how to say bye. Ur wife was waiving my grand daughter waved back at her on tv lol. Going to big bend in November.

[@CodyandKellie]

Y’all have been on a lot of adventures as well. That’s to cute that she waved back 😊 Thanks for watching

[@annierose9168]

Wow! Magnificent. You guys have the best vlog. Living vicariously through you now.

[@chrisminter7776]

Fabulous footage and information about Big Bend. I want to go now.

[@yesreally7438]

Well done vid! Guessing you guys were there over spring break if there was a line outside the Starlight's door - I think we may have just missed crossing paths, we stayed in the campsite next to yours at Rancho Topango lol!!!!

[@johneason6540]

Beautiful video, im heading to Big Bend NP in days and saw your video. Thanks❤

[@hankbern9847]

Hey Cody and Kellie....Another fine video in Big Bend NP...Loved your bike ride with the drone following you and those crystals were really something....We are glad that you enjoyed your drive along the River Road and your meal at the Starlight( knew you would enjoy)....We didn't do that canyon hike....looked cool....And the Lost Mine Trail we enjoyed watching your hike(thx for the memories)....You know, we hope you don't mind us giving you guys tips on what to see....but you drive so far from Arkansas, and we don't want you to miss anything, you know....Well, all the best from Hank and Pam from South Texas...

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you. One day we won’t be in such a hurry to get home. 🤞🏼sooner than later we hope.

[@thelesliewalton]

Those Lotus tents look amazing. Another great video, thanks for sharing!

[@CodyandKellie]

They were so cool! Thanks for watching

[@douglaslucas7612]

I HAVE GOT TO GO HERE... !!!! You guys are driving me crazy!!! . Since watching your AWESOME places you go , IM CONSTANTLY going on a trip, planing one or WISHING I was in my way... GEEZ complete OVERLOAD!!!!

[@ursinidaho]

Nice vlog. You packed a lot in. Adventures and fun and cooking and hiking and biking too!

[@exploringcoasttocoast0203]

Y’all are in our state. We really love your drone footage . That food looked awesome . And girrrl -everything you cook looks great! Holy cow we have a hard time finding roadrunners.

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you for the kind words! This roadrunner had to be used to humans

[@wolfbisbing486]

Great trip guys. Loved it. Thanks for bringing us along

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks for watching

[@josebegui]

Your videos bring me peace during these trying times. Can't wait to see this one! All the best to the both of you!

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you for watching. I’m glad our videos can help.

[@BigV96220]

Hi guys, from from Australia 🇦🇺 absolutely love you videos, your so inspiring ❤️ love to ya both stay safe Venetta (vee)

[@SomeplaceOrAnother]

Looks like a nice day to visit and the views on your hike where awesome :)

[@TheTexasTrailhead]

Nicely done! Thanks for sharing a great Texas state park!

[@markkidder1776]

That opening drone shot tho!!.... 🤤 Great video guys!

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks Mark

[@DonnieHudson]

This might be my favorite vlog you guys have ever done. I felt like I was right there , literally didn’t want it to end. Love you guys! Keep up the great work!

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks Donnie!

[@PaulHeirendt]

Epic drone bike footage!!

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you

[@neeko4676]

Yay! I've been looking forward to your premier video this week. Your channel is like a happy place to escape to and dream of adventures.

[@CodyandKellie]

Awwww thank you!

[@lizalundy]

Love it!!! Great video. Love the scenery, the goat 😂, cool place! Thanks for sharing

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks for watching! Poor goat 😂

[@jakecarcasi4764]

I went and camped in the basin with some of my college buddies early january, did not reach above 32 degrees the whole trip. We were not prepared but stuck it out.

[@wellsonwheels457]

What kind of jam ? Yum! I’m hungry Incredible fun drone shots

[@CodyandKellie]

I believe I used raspberry jam

[@everymanadventures9285]

Y’all are my new favorite channel. I own an H3. I camp, kayak, slowly getting into overlanding. About to start adding some overland trips to my channel. Thumbs up and subscribed.🤙🏻

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks for watching and subscribing! How do you like your hummer? We will check out your channel

[@darksideemt]

Man this is gorgeous and I'll say it again, I can't wait till I get to go to the area.

[@bobbyduncan3903]

Hey guys welcome to texas! We love your channel.Next time your in Texas you might won't to check out San Marcos.

[@CodyandKellie]

Ok! We will need to do some research in that area

[@michaelm9621]

That place looks so amazing and in Oct, it looks like you had the whole park to yourself.

[@JohnHNye]

Wow! What a great beginning to your video! I loved the drone cinematography with the electronic western song. Whew you are getting good at putting quality video together.

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you!

[@GarageProducts625]

Planning my second trip there this winter, this helped me decide on visiting the state park also! Lajitas (LA-hee-TAS)

[@musicmarlene]

I like this video and love the desert. I lived in Texas years ago (Granbury, TX). I read a book that mentioned Terlingua, TX.

[@ortiko]

Very nice footage! Big 👍like from me! I love hiking , camping, fishing/hunting and make some videos to.Keep on!!!

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks for watching

[@wanderingtexas9372]

Beautiful cinematography. Love the trails! Cody you crack me up with the showerhead! Starlight looks amazing! Thanks for another great video! :)

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks for watching

[@marthafitch4030]

Love this video I’m definitely going there with my family soon

[@cutestkittensanimalrescuep8531]

You've done the best tour I've seen of this area. I love the walk around and talking. 7 minutes and saying how long it takes is great. I missed the name of the little spot or the little town with the shops what was the name of it? I love the way you guys put together your KZbin videos. It's important to know locations names of streets weather where the chicken where to check out how long it takes to get from here to there when planning a trip so this is awesome. Probably getting gasoline nearest gas station and stuff would probably also be helpful. I know when I traveled from I think it was Austin to the coast no gas stations were open after 8:00 p.m.

[@batsoffroad]

Really diggin the drone footage!

[@MEEANDSTUFF]

I spend a lot of time at Big Bend SP, and will be there again Winter ‘22 primitive roadside camping on Old Ore. Thanks for the inspiration to explore the state park. It looks beautiful!

[@sheryllynrivera6391]

Beautiful video. Loved the tips and just subscribed.

[@OldManJimmy1]

Wow, we are in the Dallas area and am glad to see you guys in our state and we have to check out Big Ben National Park now thanks to you guys video. Oh, and the restaurant too.

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks for watching!

[@NickandRachel]

Would really love to do some hiking out there one day! Thanks for sharing

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks for watching

[@NickandRachel]

@@CodyandKellie you're welcome! We really enjoy making outdoor videos also

[@ttwillow9073]

Thanks for showing us more of the Big Bend area! If you are into birds and butterflies check out the National Butterfly Center near Mission TX. They create cool habitats and lots of migrating birds and butterflies can be seen there this time of year.

[@CodyandKellie]

Interesting! We didn’t know there was such a thing.

[@Steve_Farwalker]

22:30 Wow Cody, If I tried that I would fell in! Really awesome drone footage and content. You guys are one of my fav travel vloggers.

[@Motorep146]

The Starlight? Was Lucero playing??? JK! Another awesome video guys. Glad you came across the Roadrunner. They're such cool birds!

[@CodyandKellie]

Lol! Thanks for watching

[@Nigellagirl99]

Another great adventure! I’m so envious -wish I was in a nice hot desert 🌵 right now we’re freezing up north here in 🇨🇦

[@CodyandKellie]

Winter already? Oh man I’m sorry. We are always chasing the good weather

[@jimlee1831]

Awesome video! We have been out there and camped twice a the Chisos Basin campground in BBNP, it IS awesome! (Also, Lajitas is pronounced La-Heet-us.)

[@CodyandKellie]

We want to camp there next time for a few nights. Kellie was laughing at herself when she said “it’s pronounced” and then said it wrong again 😂 neither of us could get it right

[@Hard_Car_Life]

First time seeing y'all on utube! Y'all are really cool! So much more entertaining than Mandy Lea channel with her boyfriend in the nuCamp Tab400. Love them too thou! I'm in West Texas. Never been anywhere. Moved here 7 years ago from NYState by myself for a government job. I really need to get out more. I'm really missing so much of this beautiful state! Subbed!

[@ShimonBarChochba]

Nice meeting you there

[@CodyandKellie]

It was great to meet you as well!

[@vd2597]

Me and my girl stayed at that exact same campsite (#5) on 10/12 and 10/13 LOL. Rancho Topanga is so awesome.

[@CodyandKellie]

Very cool!

[@drewsbenmad]

I love Terlingua we stayed on some property not far from the cotton wood store. The landscape is amazing but very dusty. There's a lot of new buildings and campsites being built all over which is both good and bad. Good for the economy but bad for the limited resources in the area, water and trash are an issue. The locals are friendly and will tell you their reasons for living there, the main reason seems to be a love for the outdoors and a quest for solitude, these days solitude is not what it used to be and some people are leaving because of the development.

[@CodyandKellie]

That’s terrible.

[@edwardcorino8327]

Kellie and Cody welcome to Texas

[@Searchingwithmatt]

She’s amazing!

[@mikemalloy1681]

Just got back from Terlingua yesterday. After you made a comment about flying drones in the NP, I looked it up. It appears that it is illegal. Why, I don't know. I was out photographing in Terlingua and the NP, but using a regular camera.

[@douglaslucas7612]

Great music with it , production.

[@tamarajenness4088]

Your videos continue to be great! Thanks!

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks for watching

[@pamelamikel7967]

New subscriber, loving your vlogs. Amazing meals Kelly!!! Love your eye& filming,

[@timgallivan6127]

Amazing couple of vlogs in Turlingua Texas. We really enjoyed them. Kelly, I'm the griller and between my wife and I for the most part. And really enjoy watching you cook some of your specialties. And Cody, I have a specific question for you. Did you self teach yourself on drone operation, or did you learn from somebody. It gets better every week. And who or how did you operate the drone during your mountain biking while you both were riding together. A lot of shots were clear that neither of you were using the controller. Does that somehow remotely follow you two. We are fully invested and looks like we are planning a vacation to Arkansas in September. Keep up the great vlogs.

[@CodyandKellie]

Hello! Thanks for watching. Taught myself how to fly the drone. I played video games when I was younger and I really think it helped. The DJI has a tracking mode where it focuses on one person and will fly itself to track it.

[@judyderieux8484]

Beautiful place......

[@hwyman01]

Love it out there. We like Ocotillos Village campground

[@MH-wy3cr]

Missing home.......Thanks 🥰

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks for watching!

[@klbarton81]

New subscriber, hooked ever since the first video! Your videos are amazing, love all the variety in your vlogs and look forward to the new videos. For now, binge watching all the older ones.

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you for subscribing! We’re glad you enjoy it

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you for subscribing! We’re glad you enjoy it

[@klbarton81]

@@CodyandKellie we want to tent camp for the first time EVER this week for our 34th wedding anniversary, can you recommend a good state park in Georgia, Tennessee, or Alabama areas?

[@cooperthegreat7131]

You guys eat good. I live in Texas and have never been to that area. I need to go.

[@shamuslockey]

How was the dust storm 2 days ago? It was nice having a shelter with the 60+ gusts

[@hermanreyes6833]

Haven't even finished the whole video yet, but I need to know if you recall where that location is of the opening drone footage where you are at the picnic table. Its at the 1 min mark. What a view!!! It would be a really cool portrait location on a trip out there.

[@CodyandKellie]

Yes we were sitting at camp.

[@hermanreyes6833]

@@CodyandKellie thanks!!

[@jamiewilson343]

cody did you ever get that air compressor problem fixed? you should go to a co2 sytem air up in seconds. cheap refills at fire extinguisher place. just a thought

[@CodyandKellie]

We have not got a new air compressor yet. We will look into it

[@kitsanders6296]

Love y’alls channel! Your recipes look so good and simple✨

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you

[@jcraig417]

You guys are awesome, great videos 😊

[@benjemorrison]

Was the drone permit easy to get? I know of only 2 Texas state parks allow drones but others will give you a permit sometimes. National parks not at all.

[@gogerwi]

Nice video, I usually do Big Bend 5 times a year but Covid put a dampener on it this year. Your inspiring me to get out and rough it.

[@CodyandKellie]

Oh we wish we could go 5 times a year

[@riobravomultimedia4104]

la-HE-tas……those are all new buildings, there used to be just a general store there….try turning off your noise reduction to fix that, or crank up the iso….i hope yall ate in Presidio, there is a pretty church there…

[@samwheeler1586]

Amazing couple

[@darrelllynn4270]

GLad you loved it this is where i live cool huh

[@imeldadariodiaz]

You guys should go to Mexico you guys would love it. Love your video's and the wife love them keep it up🤟🙏💯

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you! We have been but only to the beach. We would love to go to the mountain areas.

[@bryant8635]

Cody, you might have mentioned previously, but what video editing software do you use? The editing and photography looks better and better every episode!

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you. It’s Movavi

[@tedsmith9114]

Kellie and Cody are off grid Thursday returning home on Sunday; therefore, they will not be able to join us in our Premiere conversations. Looking forward to next week's Premiere!

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks Ted!

[@xchick10]

Up town high rent! Love it :)

[@bootmender]

You know Kings Ranch is more than 400 miles away? Brewster county Texas has some of the best game hunting in Texas. I uses to live in Terlingua when it was a mining town 1960’s

[@CodyandKellie]

Really? How was Terlingua then?

[@bootmender]

@@CodyandKellie back then there was no bars restaurants or even a gas station just mining. Every had gas cans in the back of there truck. You had to go up to Alpine to get gas and a few groceries. To really shop for groceries you had to go to Fort Stockton. We always went on Mondays so all the stores and banks were open. Back then Banks didn’t open till 9:00 AM and closed by 2:00 PM. Ever few months we would go into El Paso spend the night and see a movie and go over into Juarez Mexico for supper. Both my parents spoke good Spanish. We were ranchers, but my uncle was a geologist for the quicksilver or Mercury mines. I went to school in Marathon 1 hour + bus ride, but in 66 I got my private pilot license and flew from the ranch to Marathon airport where I keep an old car to drive on to school.

[@jamiewilson343]

going in march. your ratings on what you ate there has helped

[@Lacy-ym7re]

Random question. What kind of French press is that? I've been looking for a French press like that for camping. Thanks. **Nevermind lol. Y'all have it in the description. Thanks for taking care of us!**

[@CodyandKellie]

Thanks for watching

[@tuntaverntraveltrailer4808]

La Jitas (Hee-tas) You we’re almost there! 😂

[@patmurphy7733]

I sure hope you kept a Crystal as a souvenir. Beautiful!

[@ritamoffat1490]

I love your videos, you are both so likable and the videos are done so well,I never get dizzy watching. But I have to know How do you hike in those sandals? You must get pebbles in the constantly

[@robertchollett7736]

What time of year where y’all there? It seemed like it wasn’t terribly hot during the day.

[@CodyandKellie]

September. It was pretty hot. High 90 felt like 100

[@lawcc1213]

Great video 👍🏻

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you

[@marthafitch4030]

What kind of drone you have, Where did you purchase it from, And how much it cost?Thank you

[@CodyandKellie]

DJI Mavic 2 pro. Ordered it straight from the website. $2,400

[@tracybecker2515]

I loved the opening drone footage. What kind of drone do you have? I want to get one for my husband.

[@CodyandKellie]

Thank you. It’s a DJI Mavic 2 pro

[@davrosmusic]

As a new creator based here in Texas, I was curious what permissions you needed to use your drone in the State Park. Texas Parks and Wildlife has a no drone usage policy posted on their website. Thanks. Keep up the good work!

[@raulrosales5019]

I just finished watching this beautiful video, I really love it. By the way I liked that nice acoustic guitar music that start playing in the background when you guys finish biking on the Crystal trail (Minute 9:00), do you happen to know the name of that music? thanks and keep the good work.

[@paigemcquade4993]

How long was your trip? I love your videos on Big Bend!

[@CodyandKellie]

We were there for 4 days. Thank you

[@scottoden2691]

probably won't see this, but worth a shot. Is there anywhere that you listed some of the trails you went on? I'm planning a trip out there with my son.

[@CodyandKellie]

So crazy! Our last name is Oden as well!!! Cody and Kellie Oden. By the way, reach out to us on FB/Instagram messenger, or our email [e-mail]. Would be happy to help you there.

[@scottoden2691]

@@CodyandKellie I'll message you on FB, thanks!