2006/01 Southwest USA trip (MN-TX) - Black Dike |
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At Rio Grande Village, it was time for laundry, lunch, and a fill of propane, and then we were off around the north side of the
Chisos Mountains to the other side of the park. The drive was very scenic, lots of mountains, but this time we drove straight through, as we really wanted to get to the campsite before dark, just for a change. We found the other end of the River Road four-wheel track, and drove in about ten miles to our campsite at Black Dike. This was an easier drive, mostly along river benches and stream beds, so, again, we hoped it stayed dry. There was not so much variety in the terrain either as we were driving mainly on the flat, surrounded by great cliffs of ancient volcanic rock.
The campsite is in a sandy canyon and the name was a mystery until we did some exploring through the cane and
cactus and found that there was a great cliff of black volcanic rock forcing the river to turn at this point, and hence the name “Black Dike”. The river is quite narrow at this point and we could hear the cow bells again over in Mexico.
Dinner that night was a chicken curry, and my elbow gave out as I tilted the pan and poured the food, so most of it ended on the couch. It was all retrievable, but not good for the couch. Luckily we both like the smell of curry.
Monday January 16th
Monday was a beautiful sunny morning, even warm enough to wash outside. I opened all doors and vents to air out the curry, but then a wind blast came down the canyon, an instant sandstorm! For a few minutes it looked like a Foreign Legion film until I managed to get the doors closed. After that the day stayed mostly fine, with a few raindrops at lunch time, but it was windy all day.
.Next.