Big Bend National Park - Day Two

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Today was a stay at home day. Before leaving for the Park on Monday we discovered a leak under the sink in the bedroom. Tom shut the water off and decided he would deal with it when we got back home. Unfortunately, after several hours of working on it Monday evening we still had a leak when he decided to call it quits for the day. By the time he finally won the "battle" on Tuesday it was after lunch and we decided to just hang out at the motorhome for the rest of the day. Not a bad day just not what we "planned".

Wednesday, November 9, 2022 

As we head into the park our first thought, just like on Monday, is the views are beautiful.  I do not promise there will not be repeat pictures. Today's first destination would be the Fossil Discovery Exhibit.

The mountains, the landscape, the ocotillos
it is all a feast for the eyes.

Taken from the parking area at the Panther Junction Visitor
Center. We stopped here to get a stamp for our passport.
We will be heading down into this view. 

If we have the opportunity to come back this way
we are thinking we would stay in Marathon.

At the Fossil Discovery Exhibit visitors can experience the changes to Big Bend’s plants and animals, and the world they lived in, through 130 million years of geologic time.  Specimens from Big Bend’s remarkable fossil record and full-color artwork help to illustrate the fascinating story of Big Bend’s ancient life.

Located 8 miles north of Panther Junction on the Persimmon Gap Entrance Road (Highway 385), the Fossil Discovery Exhibit is a self-guided interpretive experience.  The exhibit is open from dawn to dusk daily.  A shaded picnic area is nearby, and it has an assortment of fossil-themed climbing structures for children. 

The Fossil Discovery Exhibit is the most significant addition to Big Bend National Park’s visitor services system in the past 50 years.  Thanks to the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations across the state, this $1.4 million exhibit will give park visitors the opportunity to meet the past right where actual fossils were found. (information found online)

We decided to start with a walk up the hill and then a walk through the exhibit building.

From on top of the hill there is a nice view of the exhibit center.

We walked up a hill and to say I was not happy up here
in the what was a strong wind would be an understatement.
Tom getting a little to close to the edge for my comfort.

Below is some of what we saw inside the exhibit. If you are interested in the information click on the picture and it will open larger. (This is all information we want for the future and to show our grandchildren.)

There were several murals all beautiful.
With a nice key so you knew what you were looking at. 

This exhibit was filled with wonderful displays and information. We enjoyed our time there and know our grandchildren would be thrilled to visit here.

As we headed back we spotted a place to pull over 
so we stopped for lunch.

Our views as we dined on 
 peanut butter and honey sandwiches.

This sign is at the beginning of the 
road up into the Chisos Basin.
Interestingly enough when we got up to the 
Visitor Center we saw a large tour bus.

This is were I will end for today. The next post will be the pictures from this ride up and down the mountain. 

We are so glad you stopped by!

If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.