Ep. 120: Big Bend Ranch | Texas State Park RV travel camping

[@pismodoug1321]

Wow! this is IMAX worthy. Great eclectic music. Safe travels -Thanks for an enjoyable insight to this part of the country.

[@GrandAdventure]

Appreciate it so much, Doug! Happy trails to you as well.

[@falconeddie1393]

A Texas sky never disappoints.

[@GrandAdventure]

Especially out in West Texas, Eduardo!

[@seand5259]

I took my sons out there last summer we had a blast...I grew up going to big bend it has a special place in my heart...

[@GrandAdventure]

And well it should, Sean. The Big Bend area is very special indeed. Thanks for watching!

[@TexomaRoadTrippers]

Most people think of west Texas as a flat and ugly wasteland. But as you've now shown those who have not seen the nicer parts of west Texas, it is not wasteland. Thanks for sharing!

[@GrandAdventure]

And thanks for watching! Even a barren desert (which the Big Bend area is not) can be starkly beautiful in its own way.

[@doncanaday6406]

I agree the drive from Lajitas to Presidio is pretty spectacular.

[@freddileehowell8688]

Thank you for sharing some of the Texas beauty, Grand Adventure.

[@GrandAdventure]

And thank you for watching, Freddilee!

[@skpjoecoursegold366]

love the drone shots.

[@GrandAdventure]

Love the comment -- thanks, Joe!

[@hildasalazar5204]

I enjoy the history information that goes along with your sites.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Hilda! It's something that we do a bit differently than most, and folks really seem to enjoy it.

[@jeandecker4073]

Breath taking. Thanks for sharing.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much, Jean! We appreciate you watching, and commenting.

[@gorrdd]

I really appreciate the research you do to provide meaningful trivia to the video presentation. Thanks. Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

And we appreciate your thoughts, Gord!

[@spellmadam2947]

Really loving the coverage of your recent grand adventure. Making plenty of notes for our winter trip next year. Big thanks. What an adventure. Had to watch twice

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much as always, Spell Madam!

[@AmericanWanderers]

You missed the Rio Grande slot canyon, it is just a few hundred feet off the road. It was bone dry when we were there. One wall is Texas and the other Mexico and you can just about touch both in spots.

[@GrandAdventure]

Unfortunately the Rio Grande was raging and overflowing its banks in some spots during our visit.

[@weswalker1208]

I'm a lifelong texting at 57 years old and I've never been to that Park. Thank you for a fantastic video

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much, Wes! Head West, young man. 😉

[@suefreivald7031]

Love the historical context you provide as well as awesome photography. Good, practical info on RV camping - thanks!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much, Sue!!

[@dwain1310]

very nice show,,,,spectacular sites,,,,,well articulated and well situated music to boot ! good job!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much!

[@spellmadam2947]

I was half way expecting to see Clint Eastwood saddled up strolling into a scene. Great content. Thanks again. You have peaked our interest in Texas travel.

[@GrandAdventure]

It was everything we expected and more.

[@chantzcutts]

I know this video is from back a few years, so I’m not sure if you will see the comment, but I wanted to let know how much I appreciate your videos. We will be at Big Bend at the end of April and are thankful for your detailed information. Appreciate the State Park info also.

[@GrandAdventure]

You're most welcome Chantz, thanks so much for watching! I presume that you saw Ep. 119 on BBNP, too. Here's wishing you a safe and enjoyable trip! It's a truly special little corner of Texas.

[@chantzcutts]

@@GrandAdventure We did. I had not been all the excited about BB NP, but after watching videos and hearing so many list it high on the favorites, I am really looking forward to it. We will go to Balmorhea as well. Swinging by Seminole Canyon SP for a couple of nights on our way back to Central Texas.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@chantzcutts it sounds like a wonderful trip. For me, I'm not a huge fan of most National Parks as I prefer to be a little further off the beaten path. However, BBNP *is* off the beaten path. It's so unlike most of Texas (not that that's good or bad, just different), and so underutilized. It's sufficiently remote that it doesn't feel like your typical National Park.

[@meredithfrost4840]

Thanks for two great videos on the big bend area. We’re planning on visiting next spring and you’ve really peaked our interest and given us great ideas for our trip.

[@GrandAdventure]

That's so great to hear, Meredith! We're sure that you'll love it out there.

[@JJs-ClassC-Adventures]

Great videography and editting. Thank you do much for sharing your adventures.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much for coming along, J J!

[@curthiggins8792]

Marc, I want to thank you for sharing your great adventures... I watched all 120 episodes! They had special appeal to me for I was able to revisit many places I traveled to in past years. You also included a great deal more than I was able to due to time restraints. I found it especially interesting to compare camping now and when I camped 30-40 years ago. I envy your current lifestyle and wish I could do so too. I’ll look forward to seeing your future videos as it is the only way I can “travel” now.

[@GrandAdventure]

Holy crap, Curt - all 120? We'll keep bringing you along, we promise.

[@curthiggins8792]

Yup, all 120! Enjoyed them all...

[@Marcussmith1240]

Hey, thanks for taking us along on your Texas adventures, please keep them coming !!! 👍✌️🇺🇸

[@GrandAdventure]

Will do, MR!

[@dallasball6624]

Very good

[@garyjordan299]

Your videos are awesome

[@GrandAdventure]

So are our viewers, Gary! Thanks so very much.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

More great scenery and commentary from Marc, i love all the great historical information, Always looking forward to the next video

[@GrandAdventure]

As we always look forward to sharing them with you. Thanks as always, folks!

[@christineryan7522]

Loved it! We now need to do a little research to see when they get busy there and when we might have trouble getting a site without a reservation. The way you describe the parks make us so anxious to make our way down there. Our plans are to winter in southern Arizona but you sure are making us think about south Texas! Thanks for all your hard work. We sure appreciate your videos! ❤️❤️ Safe travels!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Christine! We don't recall the exact rates, but we recall thinking that Maverick Ranch's monthly wasn't bad. The manager advises us that all 100 sites are sometimes full during the period from Christmas through February.

[@christineryan7522]

Good to hear that there’s a chance we could camp there early December maybe without trying to reserve too far in advance.

[@GrandAdventure]

We hear ya, we hate confining ourselves by reservations.

[@steveleonard1227]

Christine Ryan, We have stayed at Falcon State Park in south Texas in January and into February for many of the past 12 winters. The temps rarely go below freezing and most days are sunny and you occasionally need a light jacket. We have thought of spending January in west Texas, but every time we look at the weather, the days and nights are just too cold. It’s the higher elevation. Things get much better in February. We were in Big Bend Ranch last February and the weather was dry and warm. The scenery incredibly! The Highway lined with Bluebonnets. But Terlingua is not the ghost town we remember from our last drive through in 1991 when it was still a ghost town.

[@daviscrt]

great video and research you provide with all your production

[@GrandAdventure]

Appreciate that, Don!

[@allanwarmflash5165]

great pics safe travels

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Allan, same to you!

[@hikingwithjackieboy]

That part of Texas is a nice area

[@GrandAdventure]

Indeed it is, Jackie. Thanks for watching!

[@hikingwithjackieboy]

@@GrandAdventure you're welcome

[@bruceh3786]

There sure is a lot of landscape. You gave a great overview, especially considering the short time you had to spend there. I hope they are successful in reestablishing the desert big horn sheep. It looks like mountain lion country so that could make things difficult. Mountain lions took out several sheep planted north of Tucson. I am looking forward to next week's video. There are some great birding areas so I would like to lean about the area. Hopefully I will be camped out in the AZ high country next week enjoying the fall colors 🍁.

[@GrandAdventure]

Lucky you, Bruce! In and around Flagstaff? We love that area, and the aspens in the San Francisco Peaks were beautiful last fall. There are indeed cougars in the Big Bend area.

[@bruceh3786]

@@GrandAdventure I hang out at about 9,200 ft in central eastern AZ called the White Mountains. One attraction in the area you may have heard of is the Sunrise Ski Resort on the Apache Reservation. Flagstaff is beautiful country but I think the White Mountains has it beat! When are you heading back to Utah? The Bosque del Apache Crane Festival starts Nov. 20th. It is the wintering grounds for thousands of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese. The refuge is in San Antonio, NM, just south of Socorro, NM. It is quite the sight. I'm thinking about attending, depending on other obligations and weather.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@bruceh3786 we're familiar with the White Mountains of AZ, but have yet to get there. Probably far less people than in the Flag area, too. Alas, we'll be back in Utah by early November -- ski season and all. Enjoy the Crane Festival, Bruce!

[@melfitz4812]

How many days do you recommend to see the Big Bend area?

[@GrandAdventure]

Mel, we'd want a week ourselves. Anything longer than a week and we tend to go a little stir crazy, but you'll need a week to fully explore and appreciate everything that there is to see in that area.

[@melfitz4812]

@@GrandAdventure Thank you.

[@williamkeil8414]

Outstanding video as always.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always, William!

[@nancywagle5]

Great video! We are planning a trip to Big Bend later this month (Sept. 2020) and Maverick Ranch looks wonderful. I have a question. My husband and I know that Big Bend is great for dark skies and want to do some night photography. Is there too much light pollution in Lajitas due to the resort - would we be better off staying in Terlingua? Right now, the camps in Big Bend are closed. Thanks for your help and keep those videos coming!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Nancy! As I recall, the RV park actually has a dark sky policy after 10 pm, and you should experience minimal light pollution from the resort. You might also want to check out our other episode from the area, which focuses on the National Park: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqjReHSDiNRml6s Have a wonderful trip!

[@vanettechristian2182]

If you end up staying at Canyon Lake, try to make time to do the Canyon Lake Gorge tour. Reservations are made online. Burgers at Canyon city Grill (307 and Dam Rd) are good. If you go into New Braunfels have BBQ at Granzin's on San Antonio St. If you are a hot dog lover, like my husband, Mozie's in Gruene can't be beat. Have a great day.

[@GrandAdventure]

Excellent tips, very much appreciated! ♥️

[@DrJohn493]

I can smell the salt air already. For the local cognoscenti, Gulf coast beaches in the Fall are the best time to enjoy the sun, sand and water. But don't stop in Texas, keep heading east, plenty of beaches to explore.

[@GrandAdventure]

Got to get back to Utah in time for the ski season in late November!

[@jwrappuhn71]

Excellent vid Sir.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you very much!

[@kkechter]

Watched several of your videos this evening and subscribed to your channel. Information and video quality is excellent. Keep up the good work. I do some motorcycle touring, and you videos are informational. Thanks!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you! We're thrilled that you've found us and decided to come along.

[@angusmaciver4242]

Great video Marc!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Angus!

[@S_Bat]

I noticed you drive a Tundra, like me. Did you do any towing related improvements to it?

[@GrandAdventure]

We made no modifications whatsoever, other than using a weight distribution hitch. We love our Tundra!

[@raypabs5374]

I used to own a 2012 Tundra Crewmax. Excellent powertrain and truck, until you have to tow a 10K RV and then the mileage drops down to 7 mpg and while the gas tank capacity is only around 21 gallons. That means you have to find gas after around 140 miles or every two hours if you are driving long distances or else risk being stranded on the road. It took a while before Toyota geniuses started offering a larger gas tank to increase range. Oh yeah, the rear end squats even if you use a load leveling system on the trailer and hitch.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@raypabs5374 very true on all, Ray! Still love the dependability of that truck, but I'll readily admit that the MPG sucks. On our 2014 the tank is around 26 gallons so it's slightly better, but we wish we had the larger tank now available.

[@raypabs5374]

@@GrandAdventureAdding two additional leaf springs to each of the rear ends was the best upgrade that I did to that Tundra. It added a 2K# load carry capacity to the truck and no more squatting. The ride and control of the truck/RV trailer was greatly improved while towing. Afterwards, I had planned on spending $2K to upgrade the OEM fuel tank to 46 gallons. Instead, in 2017, I got lucky and was able get a $24K trade- in value for this truck (with almost 90K miles on the odometer) and buy a brand new 2017 Ford F350 diesel. The results, my new f350 MPG while towing my 18K# toy hauler fifth wheel is now 10 miles per gallon overall while my tank capacity is 46 gallons. At times when I do not tow, my highway mpg sometimes reaches 21 mpg with this nearly 8000 lb diesel truck. In the end, I am grateful that the Toyota Tundra was able to retain it's wonderful trade in value. Back then, I had waited and wished that Toyota would come out with a new heavy duty version with diesel but Nissan tried that with the new Titan HD and it has failed. Keep up with the great travel videos Guido and thank you so much for your hard work. Videos like yours inspired me to upgrade my truck two years ago and I was able to accomplish my dream of RVing cross country. I just got back two weeks ago after a three week 6500 mile trip from NYC to Yellowstone and Moab. Safe travels to you!

[@GrandAdventure]

@@raypabs5374 and same to you! Sounds like a wonderful trip to some beautiful areas surrounding our home 20. And you got some great results with that Tundra, both with the extra leaves and the trade-in value. Our last truck was a Tacoma and we got 55,000 miles and 4 years out her for a $7,000 loss in value, so we sure weren't complaining But there's much about a one-ton diesel that's extremely attractive.

[@brianleonard6885]

Was there disperse camping along the long dirt river road do you know ?

[@GrandAdventure]

Not dispersed, but there are several dry state park campgrounds.

[@voxsteven]

Enjoyed it, thank you!

[@GrandAdventure]

So happy that you did, thank you for letting us know!

[@rvtimetraveler]

Ok taught me some things about Big Bend I didn’t know! Lol. Isn’t Terlingua awesome did y’all get to enjoy a night on the porch if the trading post?! Too much fun!

[@GrandAdventure]

We didn't, but we felt very rich from the experience we were able to enjoy. One more thing to do next time!

[@rvtimetraveler]

Right we got time!😊

[@jimmybutler3728]

That is funny I thought all mercury was found where there is silver mines...

[@GrandAdventure]

We never before knew that mercury came from cinnabar.

[@pennysaufley8974]

We're thinking of going to Texas next spring, as there will be a total solar eclipse then! My dad always wanted to go to Big Bend, so think I will finally visit. Thanks for the info! Plus, Lewis's family is from east Texas and I want to do some ancestry research. Did you go into Mexico from Presidio at all? Is it worth it? Living in San Diego, we love Mexican food!

[@GrandAdventure]

We didn't cross while we were there, Penny, as I didn't have my passport with me and didn't yet have an enhanced driver's license. You may also want to take a look at this episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/noeXkGBugddrfas

[@thomasdipaolo2349]

New sub. Awesome video content. Looked thru playlist but couldnt find info on you truck and trailer. Interested aince we have a similar set up

[@GrandAdventure]

Grateful that you're here Thomas! We have a 2014 Toyota Tundra (5.7L V8) and a 2016 Evo T2050 (25'11").

[@thomasdipaolo2349]

@@GrandAdventure thank you for the info

[@BenNstyle]

Marc, your cinematography and content ranks up there with Arial America! Ever gave any thought to Amazon or other media outlets for rebroadcast?

[@GrandAdventure]

You're much too kind! We watch Arial America ourselves. We've never really given any serious thought to distribution beyond KZbin, as we still have much to learn.

[@RicG.]

You mentioned "work schedule"...............what kind of work do you do?

[@GrandAdventure]

Ric, I work in the insurance industry.

[@RicG.]

What kind of insurance?

[@GrandAdventure]

@@RicG. claims for an excess and surplus lines carrier.

[@RicG.]

would you like to put that into plain terms for us? LOL

[@GrandAdventure]

@@RicG. perhaps the best known excess and surplus lines insurer is Lloyd's of London. They're insurers who write speciality insurance for types of businesses that are high risk and have a hard time getting insurance any other way. I handle liability claims for them, both injury and property damage.

[@timebanditrvtravels3449]

good job

[@jerryag19451]

Just read about unlimited internet from net buddy do you know any thing about this I got the visible as you suggested but it looks like they have put the 5 cap back on

[@GrandAdventure]

Don't know about net buddy, but another commenter chatted with Visible's customer service only yesterday, and was advised that there's still no speed cap and verified that customers who get in when there's no cap, keep no cap as long as they remain customers.

[@gavinstreetie1473]

Check out that zip wire that’s like my house tooo france wow could I have some fun on that ! Oh what are you serious “ the chilli appreciation society “ oooo that is brill and the best of it is I love chilli I really need to be at the cook offs Remember homers chilli 😂😂😂😂 Nice one mark thanks Gavin

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Gavin!

[@stevebailie2900]

Do you choose or agree to the ads that appear on your videos?

[@GrandAdventure]

That's entirely operated by Google/KZbin. We have no say in what ads they display.

[@stevebailie2900]

Thanks for your response.

[@WILDEBILL308]

Like some of the sights, you just run out of superlatives to describe the videos.