Contrabando

through

Big Bend National Park

via

FM170

Detail Map Area Map

The drive from the ranch on FM170, along the Rio Grande, must have been similar to what the National Geographic folks saw when they dubbed this "possibly the prettiest drive in all America". It was remarkably green and the prickly pear cactus was blooming like crazy.

 

This is a view of the Rio Grande River to the west.

 

Contrabando is the site of a movie set at which a movie of the same name was filmed. This is clearly supposed to be a church. It like most of the rest of the buildings were facades.

 

Carolyne outside what appears to be a residence.

 

The Rio Grande was particularly clear and green with new growth.

 

This is the jail,

 

As you can see in this shot from the west through the Window in the Chisos Mountains, it was beautifully clear.

 

It was so beautiful I had to take another shot as we got closer.


Though they were fading, the Rio Grande Bluebonnets were thick and lovely.

 

We were about through the national park when we saw what a beautiful display the sun was making through the clouds on the Santiago Mountains (left) and the Dead Horse Mountains (right). Dog Canyon is the gap in the center left.

 

The clouds were brewing as we approached Persimmon Gap just outside of view to the right. I did rain that night.

 

But we were in Sanderson, Texas at this motel.

I hope you enjoyed our trip!

 

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